Restoration (2) White 1972 1600 XL [24]

At last – the engine is running & not too badly. That means it is a really good day and not before time. I spent more time trying to line the timing up correctly. Initially I may have had the dizzy sorted out on the incorrect stroke, meaning it was 180 degrees out. I then tried various spots for the No 1 wire but still to no avail. I was very determined to do this myself but decided to consult the guru, my neighbour, KH. It took us quite a while to figure it out & it still didn’t fire after several different settings. We had different marks on the side & the top trying to align up the plug wire & the rotor. He then tried to line up the two magnet marks on the rotor spindle with the middle of the rotor for the plug wire. We then re-inserted the dizzy, one slot back & put it back together. It fired up first time & ran really well. The Accuspark instructions make it sound very simple but it is not if you are replacing the whole distributor. We ran it for quite a few minutes with no fluid leaks which is also really good.
I then completed a few other bits & pieces such as: replacing the air cleaner, topping up all the fluids, repainting some areas in the engine bay, attaching the battery clamps & screwing on the black panels in front of the radiator. After taking off all the masking paper & protection material, it is starting to look & sound good. The tappets need a bit of adjustment but that can wait a few days. It is good to have it all back together & good that it is running well.
Now, I just have to sort out some of the interior bits such as the instrument surround.