PeteH

I`d be more concerned with over-stressing the Studs, There is a point at which the tensile strength starts to fail (the elastic limit). Too many years since I "did" material strength. But 66ft/lb is of the order of 30some percent higher than the makers design parameter. The point at which something is going to give?. My personal take is that exceeding the design parameter is trying to cure the wrong issue?. But then having just come back from Texas, I am only too aware the "yanks" have a different take on most things!. (BTW you never call a Texan a Yank, they (some) are still fighting the civil war!) Nice to see, the cause of the leak is found, "hydraulic" testing usual shows up the defect!!. Somewhat unusual though to have a stud hole with access to the water passage(s)?. The Person who drilled the hole went too deep?. or there is/was a Casting issue?. Pete

HI Historically, "our" cars where manufactured during a period when some changes in standards where taking place. My best guess is likely 1/2" BSP. 55 degree thread form, ( the existing standard during any design phase), and still in common use. The tap will be "straight", aprox 19mm (0.7480") drill size, any taper being on the fitting. The common "giveaway" is the need (or not) for a base seal washer usually copper.? Pete

HI Without wishing to "teach granny to suck eggs". Are you absolutely sure the head, or even the block (unlikely, But?) are perfectly flat?. Also, re the leakage, have you considered checking the head, particularly, with NDT, micro cracking is hard to detect visually, but should show under dye penetrant. Reading what has been written, I don`t think improper Torquing is necessarily the issue. Though the state of the Head gasket would suggest a lack of such?. Which would beg the question, is the torque wrench accurate?. "Back in the day" our`s where re-calibrated on a frequent basis. Another question which niggles, Do the flanged washers need a different torque figure?. Using separate washers, there are two "sliding friction faces" the flanged washer has only one. Generally speaking, the manufacturers tolerances where usually "sufficient" for purpose, so increasing the torque, as some would, to get a tight joint, would be more likely to over-stress the studs/bolts. I note also, the use of an NOS Stanpart Gasket. Copper, age hardens so could that be contributory? Pete

DIY, 1960`s style. several day`s spent crawling under a Ford Consul, adjusting the two large Worm drive clips, a fraction at a time to obtain a "reasonable" drive-line balance. Pete

Go on then. Fork Handles?.🤣 "Gerald Willey" had a way with words!. Pete

I just have a small "Garden Trailer". Keeps the all the crap out of the vehicle.👍. I don`t suppose that Honda can be flat towed?, without wrecking something?. Pete

A very popular "addition". 4 of the big bugger`s would light up Dalby Forest!!. Made the alternator work hard though!. I think I still have a small 5"? one kicking about somewhere?. Pete

Now I know what happened to all the document clips!.😁 Pete

Strangely. Mine, (a Halfords 063?) has been hooked up to a 15W solar panel (Aldi), for the last several years, (yes, I know, I should get back to doing some more on the "kit of parts"😪, but it`s bloody cold in there!!), It is still happily sitting at 12.5V, and occasionally gets pressed into action to start a reluctant "modern"👍. The "file" is very fat, mostly from the P-O`s, back to the 1980`s, I keep threatening to scan it all and archive it. But the paper is impressive, I think it includes the original bill of sale?.. Pete

Hard to remember, (my 13/60 switch is still in the "kit of parts"!!😁) but doesn't that switch turn and Pull? or is it just a two stage pull for side lights and again for heads?. One way to check would be to remove the B/R terminal and connect direct, or bridge with a short wire?, direct to the brown (live). That would rule out (or not) the switch as possible cause?. The terminal on the left of your pic looks a bit dodgy?. Another culprit might be the Dip switch?. Do you have a wiring diagram? if not I`ll scan and post mine?. Pete.

Don’t the big six saloons have rear door capping’s? Pete

True. The Merc; Glow plug light on the dash no sooner seems to come on, than it is off again!. (# 5 needs replacing, I know, but will wait for the next "big" service!) Noticed that Friday, we had about 2C here at the time. Whereas some of the old lorries seemed to be "on" for several minutes.

Out of (Dis) interest.The Caravan Site by the Thamnes at Chertsey, has a large contingent of "parrots", who live in the trees on the site. Noisy Bu**ers too, especially when you need a kip after a 4+ hour drive from Yorkshire!!. The "system" works One occupant = Full "benefit". 2 occupants = !/2 a "benefit" each. Thereby needing twice the paperwork, time and Tea and biscuits for those administering the same. Keeps extra shiny bums on seats I suppose? Pete

AND? It`s useful for welding too? (if you run out).🤣 (not serious!) Pete

Interesting, Mine is a 13/60 C-V, GE77***. 1970 Build. Reg 1st Jan 71. No holes for crossed flags either and the BL logo badges are in the "kit of parts". It also came with all alloy fenders?. (A-La Vitesse?) Pete

Cylnder Oil and Graphite, was a staple on the old Triple Expansion Steamers. Threads. Rods, and just about everything else. What your water like? (hard soft), how often do you need to washout?. Some Traction Engine "owners" can go a whole season without, Then wonder why they have issues with seams. Pete

Something to consider?. Locally we have a company who Steam Clean underneath and then do a full "wax" system, AND give a guarantee?. Pete

From Memory, the taper is around 1.5 degrees?

If it`s similar to what I had, on the motorhome. A very sharp decorators scraper to cut the tape, and Xylene or Toluene will shift it?.👍 Even maybe brake cleaner?. Pete

Mk 3 Granada V6 full x-pack white with grey leather, cracking long distance tourer and caravan lugger downside mostly 18mpg☹️ Current (borrowed) transportation, bloody awesome

Back in the late 70’s . A colleague fitted air shocks to his Mk2 Estate for caravan towing 10psi normal running, pumped up to 80 or so to tow his caravan. Others fitted Nivomats

Fine flat file and a surface table (or sheet of glass)? Merry Xmas (from 79deg F in Texas)

That sounds quite reasonable to me, considering the potential hazards of dealing with a contaminated vessel. Before I could do an internal examination Calor had to steam the tankers, sometimes for days, and then certify "gas free", even then I had a respirator, and a back up man with B-A. My the boiler suit stank for days!!. Wasn't allowed back in the house until I stripped and put the gear in the Washing Machine either!. Pete

It`s not Waxoyl? (mixed with dirt) or similar is it?. White spirit usually deals with that?. Pete

And the Xmas Lights on all years round?.🤣 Pete