The Toledo lives on! Yesterday was spent refitting the head (easy) and all the rest of the gubbins.
Sneakily I fitted he manifold to the head before fitting the head, saved some grief. The manifold drillings on the head all needed helicoiling, that was done last week (I am a philistine and used M10, as I an source them locally rather that ordering etc) and bolted up good and tight. I also used a "new to me" manifold as it had much better studs fitted, though has been pained white....
Fitted all the rest of the bits and bobs. Refilled with water and it poured out. The bypass tube had dropped out the inlet manifold (no idea why I hadn't popped it in the water pump, maybe to sensible) so a faff to take that all off and redo. But once sorted it started once the carbs had filled with fuel and idled like nothing had happened. The paint started to burn off the manifold, but no leaks or anything to cause concern.
well, the cam is a bit noisy. I may have to re-shim that again
All in all very pleased. I was exteremly lucky to have a spare head as the old one had corroded badly. And the NOS BL gasket set that cam from JT's garage was very timely. And Alun has been most helpful.
Also I really need to thank Mr Mig Wielder for the loan of the "Headmaster" that made head removal a straightforward exercise.
Now all I need to do is get under the car and do half a day (probably more!) cutting and welding, and then play with the rear springs. need some sensible suspension for the RBRR and all the stuff that will be in the car. Mainly me and 2 other full size" blokes.