TVR 350i engine rebuild and installation

Thanks to Chris Smith at Devon Racing, we were very kindly given some new engine mounts from another TVR, and the engine, with the gearbox, was finally mated with the chassis. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the end of the problems for Gerald. A lot of hard work allowed the engine to be plumbed in and started, after which we quickly realised oil was leaking out the back of the engine through an oil gallery bung that wasn’t properly sealed. We also found the coil would get extremely hot even when the engine wasn’t running, so that needed to be replaced too. The engine had to come out again.
However, every cloud has a silver lining!

It meant we had more space to play around with the installation of the advanced Davies Craig electric water pump and dual fan and, and upon reinstalling the engine, make it work in conjunction with the original mechanical water pump.

While the engine and gearbox were out, we fashioned brackets and hoses especially tailored to the Davies Craig. The gear shifter and corresponding bushes got an overhaul too, making each shift feel like a hot knife through butter.  
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The engine was finally re-installed, and in classic OUMF fashion, we solved every problem it tried to throw at us. The exhaust manifolds were juggled around the engine bay and saw some readjusting, so there was more clearance between the engine and chassis, making ancillaries more accessible and facilitating the all-important Zircoflex in doing its job. Any major problem was seen to and ironed out, which meant we could finally start the engine again! On getting water pressure, the radiator cap decided to spring a leak, meaning it had to be replaced. But apart from that minor issue we cracked on. One team saw to adjusting the tracking, while another cracked on with ignition timing. Once the fueling was adjusted on the almighty Eidelbrok, Ding trundled off down the track on its monumental first drive in nearly a quarter of a decade!