Newbie, I know, the car deserved better.

[Mahesh]

Heeding your advice, Steve, Jon,

I put the bolts back into the thermostat cover, and for some unknown reason they bite and hold.

Started up and left running to get up to temp, left heater on cold.

Good news is that the thermostat is working, and so is the leak

The leak starts at the battery side of the waterpump connector bore, and then once it gets hot, all round.

I will refill this evening and try again and again, as the new cover will arrive Tuesday.

I know it's possible to have a leak Sprint engine, I look at it whenever the bonnets open. Never lost a drop before, want it back, I'm patient it's not a biggie, only time constrained.

[Jon Tilson]

You want the heater on hot to reduce the pressure maximally and get rid of all air locks
....but it does look like some rotten luck you are having....

Jonners

[Mahesh]

Yep, rotten luck it is, sod's law is a jealous mistress who is even more consistent than my own shadow.

Received new waterpump cover today, and connector with O rings.

Tried the new connector on the old cover first, and it slips in with very slight pressure.

On the new cover, it needed a lot more effort, and as it's in, it stays.

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Checked the connector from underneath the cover, and it has seated all the way down, in the picture it looks like a big gap, however there is a slight bevel inside the new cover bore (and on old one) which will not allow the connector any further down.

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When I was undoing the waterpump cover the bolt closest to the alternater fell down, but not to the ground. Can I find it anywhere, spent an hour with artificial light to no joy. Would have closed up everything this evening, sod's law at its best.

[Galileo]

I think subframes are magnetic, because everytime I drop something that's where it lands hidden in the oily inky blackness invisibly mocking me!

[Jon Tilson]

Indeed...if you feel along the top of the front bar of the subframe it will be there somewhere...

If not its an easy thread size to replace.

Nice shiney bits....

Jonners

[Mahesh]

Car would not return waterpump cover bolt until I got underneath to find it.

And yep, just sitting there on the subframe.

[Toledo Man]

The same thing happened to me with one of the nuts for the starter motor bolts during my recent engine removal. It was just sitting there on the subframe.

Any joy with the water pump?

[Mahesh]

Got a chance to go back to the car yesterday evening.

As the return pipe was pushing against the inlet manifold and not allowing a clean fit to the waterpump connector, I undone the H pipe nut.
Re-fitted waterpump cover, and inlet manifold, replace the return pipe with a slightly longer pipe, everything fitted good so far.

Will the H pipe screw back, NO.

This morning, after about half an hour, decided to undo the water adaptor at the inlet manifold.

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removed the adaptor, only to find the first few threads corroded and broken off.

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Have to do something quick, car is booked at Overdrive services on Monday morning, and its Friday.

[Mahesh]

Resolved,

Tried to clean out and re-align the threads to no avail,

Removed the nut from the old H pipe and put into vice,

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Tightend up slowly, making sure nut and adaptor stayed level,

and then release from vice, turn the other way and slowly spanner down,

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Nut now goes in smoothly and level, hopefully this will be repeated on the H pipe in the car.

[Jon Tilson]

Ouch...I did warn you about this pipe...

The only good thing to say about the adaptor is that its a standard old imperial plumbing size.

You may even be able buy one from a local plumbing shop.

Jonners

[Edin Dundee]

The plumbers merchants I've dealt with regard 12mm as 1/2".......grrrr


Try these people:
https://www.bes.co.uk/products/158a.asp

[Mahesh]

Thanks, but got away with the original.

Could not get the fibre washer quick enough, so a plumbers 3/4 from screwfix it has to be.

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Fitted to the H pipe like a glove now.

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Also pleased with the longer return pipe.

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Refit of carbs, linkage, fuel, choke and ancillaries, time to refill coolant.

All done and test time,

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All seems well, but hard to see in the evening, few minutes on choke and then topped up coolant and the replaced expansion tank cap.

Let the engine run for 15 mins, seems leak free, hot and cold at the heater, however the temp gague stays at 1/4.

In the morning I will bolt up the bonnet, pack the tools up, and take for a spin.

[Mahesh]

Couldn't do a road test this morning, only managed to put away all the tools and spares.

Did fasten the air filters back and engine started and warmed up.

Have to do a drive tomorrow, Sheffield early Monday.

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[Jon Tilson]

When it comes to respray time I think there was a Ford colour used on escort mexicos and the like that
will match your hoses....

Result.....you got there in the end...

Jonners

[James467]

Hang on, let me just take my Ray Bans off!!!

That's better, woooo those hoses are loud!!!

Banter aside, this has been a massively useful part of your thread and good on you for persevering with it.