Installing the shrapnel around the engine

Since I dropped the engine and gearbox into the chassis last December, Christmas slowed things down, and then the next item on the agenda was getting the exhaust system installed.

I got the rolling chassis carted down to Carline Mufflers in Emu Plains, and Mick the Muffler installed a nice new stainless exhaust system for me.

The before picture – manifolds installed on the engine, ready for the exhaust system.

The after pictures – a nice shiny exhaust system, all ready to go. The whole thing is stainless, including flanges and bolts. It should last forever. It also matches the original equipment, with the flanges and mounts as per original.

The next job was getting the assorted shrapnel back onto the engine – fuel pump, oil filter, water pump and fan, carburettor and so on.

I had a bit of a discussion on the AULRO forum about whether to use the Holden carburettor (a Stromberg BXOV, probably originally from an FC or FE) or a Zenith, but I went with the Stromberg for the time being.

I also installed a spin-on oil filter adaptor. I have some terrible memories of changing the oil filter on my Cooper S, way back in the mists of time, and I’m very happy to be able to avoid those troubles.