It runs! [Thanks Bret]

[Steve]

I had needed to replace the gasket between the front pipe and catalytic converter for some time, and after several failed attempts at doing it the "easy" way, I finally bit the bullet and took the manifold off, which is what Bret had recommended I do in the first place. I also managed, more by luck than judgement, to finally score a gasket with the metal reinforcement, instead of the cardboard-looking ones. Well, with everything off the car the job of installing the gasket was a lot easier than it had previously been, and it also gave me the chance to clean all the crud off the side of the block. Installation of the assembled unit was not the easiest, and there still remains something to do there but that is down to my ham-fistedness rather than any difficulty in doing so. Last night I finally had her idling correctly (I think) and several trips around the neighbourhood revealed no horrors or mistakes, so maybe the car will be up for a decent run for the first time this summer, without ending up sounding like a Massey-Ferguson!

So thank you Bret, your advice was spot-on. Here's to you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif