Then removed recon engine from Arabella and removed clutch and flywheel - came off very easily but of course has only been on for about 5 years and engine not used in that time. Removed engine backplate with great difficulty - it had both a gasket and gasket-goo and there is nowhere to get purchase to get it off.
Once off, guess what - drain hole from the 'void' into which the flywheel oil thrower throws the oil, WAS blocked. The 'void' was also full of sh*t - loads of it - obviously not cleaned out at recon
So, engine will be back in Arabella tomorrow and fingers are crossed !
Incidentally, the rear main is standard size with some linear scoring, no doubt from when it was dismantled at the time of the recon, and the rear shaft bearing surface shows signs of pitting from previously having rusted.
The clutch plate/ pressure plate are both pitted from previous rusting and the pressure plate has a significant groove worn around it.
Some 'recon' !. Would appear it was a rebore and new pistons - for £1800 ???
In fact the original engine is A1 in this respect having done little more than 6000 miles since the proper recon by Minories Garage it's only problem is very poor compression which will be investigated once Arabella is finished and ready for the Rally
