Build Day 154....Spigot Bearing Bush

Managed to get a few more bits and bobs done. Fitted a custom length propshaft that I'd ordered the other day from these people: ClickMe. Looks to be a nice job.

Now my biggest headache so far in sourcing parts for the build was that of getting a spigot bearing to fit into the T-series crankshaft to secure the output shaft of the gearbox. Now, the original gearbox for the engine was designed not to need a spigot bearing, so the end of the crankshaft simply had a hole where one should go.
I sourced a ford bearing to fit my gearbox OK, but it's outer diameter was too small for the hole. What I needed was a bush to fit the hole, and into which the bearing would fit.
The part that should do it was Rover part no. 22G2076 "Spigot Bearing Bush". This was a part fitted to smaller engined SD1s and O-series powered sherpa vans, but could I find this part - no!
Seems that Rover only made them, and now that they've gone west (or rather east), everyone's out of stock, without anyone able to get any more :(
The breakthrough came last week when I found that MGBs also need this part. There are loads of MG parts places out there, so I finally, after some more searching, managed to find somewhere that still had one in stock.
When it came, it needed a little more work. Firstly, it's inside diameter needed drilling out a little to accept the ford bearing, but this was easily done. Second, I needed to make up a spacer to fit in the hole behind the bush so that it's in the optimum position for the gearbox shaft. All now done.

So, with the propshaft in and the spigot bearing assembly done, ready for final fitment, the engine is now ready to go in! Watch this space....

Build Day 153.....Finished Gear Box and Rear Loom

I've fixed the problem with the gearstick extender (selection of reverse) and have put together the clutch release mechanism, so the gearbox is now complete. I've now placed the box temporarily in situ to check it still fits.
With the gearbox in place, I have also been able to start fitting the wiring loom through to the rear of the car: