[Darrin Wright]

This weekend I continued (and finished) assembling the rings onto the pistons and placed all pistons & conrods into the bores. As I went checked all clearances on the bigend bearings and crankshaft journals.
Still very cold and had the blow heater going to keep myself and the rings warm.
Placed the oil pump into its location and tightened it up, book said to lock wire bolt in place, but with only 1 bolt not sure what to lock wire it to. So the lock wire now runs around the shaft of the oil pump, if it was to come loose it won't go too far (1/8 to 1/4 turn).
Cleaned out the sump of dust and debris and have front oil seal soaking in oil for when it gets assembled. In the front of the sump is a little 'receptacle' which is part of the PCV system, so cut some felt and placed in so that it will have semi-filtered air.
Installed all head studs on the left side with a little thread sealant so they will not leak water. Then installed the head and done up the head nuts. Not tight at this stage.
Also using copper head gaskets from the gasket kit.
Installed some new spark plugs into the head so that dust does not enter the cylinder, bought Champion H10-C from Repco @ AU$3.90 each.

I have the starter motor armatures at a friends being straightened as they are a little bit bent, with a bit of mild adjustment they should be right to be re-assembled later.

Also bought an air fitting for my die-grinder, so enlarged the hole in the left brake backing plate so that it now fits over the section of mounting plate where the brake actuator shaft goes through. Backing plate is now sitting on the diff, still to be done up.

My youngest son climbed up the ladder to study/check on my progress 'inside the hull, his comments were 'my you have done some work....."
Little bit more work yet before they can ride in it.