Some info from the engine rebuilder.

I'm unable to get the inlet manifold water jackets off, it's a common problem caused by damp storage where the studs corrode into the alloy casting. Having drilled them out as far as I can, it is still solid, so I can get the engine apart by splitting the manifolds into two with a disc cutter, see red line on photo, but I need the go ahead for that as I don't have any replacements. They could be welded, but it all adds to the work.
I could get it apart in about a week and a half, so overall, it's going to cost more than a good engine if you can find one that isn't seized up.
Internally it looks ok, the oil is quite clean. It has wear on some of the cam lobes, typical of these engines. The ignition harnesses and magnetos look in poor condition too.

So it looks like I will get to keep my 44 dated engine.

Bummer. Guessing they have tried heating and cooling to get some flex going. I've used torches to heat studs where nuts won't come free. You quickly see the rust glow and burn off and then things tend to unscrew with ease. Seems something else could be done there as if you can't get it off, you can't use the engine. So not much to loose even if they have to cut and pry off the offending part. Sure the cutting wouldn't cost much in time for them to try. It'd be the re-welding if a replacement part couldn't be sourced.

Looks like everything is going good Dave.

Well the engine is currently being rebuilt, one cylinder bank was bad, so he had a spare spitfire bank, which is going in mine. So it will be half spitfire...The manifold will be rewelded so no issue there.

Also it looks like we are going to make a mold for the wheels to redo the rubber, so we will probably have some makers marks and some other goodies put into it. I need all 20 of my road wheels redone, and I know a few others do too, so look for more info.

And don't be to hard on Rick for picture updates, he decided to step on his laptop again and broke it, so he will be back in service some time this week enshallah.

Re-rubbering Wheels
 

Have some guys in the past used Centurion roadwheels, are they the same diameter??, Just a thought.

You can use the road wheels, you have to weld the mounting holes and and then re-drill for the Cromwell bolt pattern, you also have to shave off some of the rubber since it is wider than then Cromwell wheels. I would consider that if my wheels were all destroyed, but I want to keep the original road wheels to keep it original and to try and not use anything modern on it. But in the end, it will really depend on what the total cost will be, if it is going to be very expensive to do the road wheels, then I might look at the other option, since they can be had for around 40-50 quid apiece, then the wheels have to be welded and put on a CNC machine.

From Rick,

Well supposedly the engine is done, rebuilt etc. by flight engineering UK, cost a little over 5K pounds to redo, so lets hit Rick up for some updates..

I found the engine on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBMOB2zYQP8

Sounds good... next thing is for the gear box to being finished, currently soaking to clean out the gunk, Rick replaced the filter that was friggin clogged to a point of no return, we just also just got a new steam/power washer to do the interior and other bits and bobs..

Fingers crossed working on another project to speed along the Cromwell restoration..