One problem arose with the installed engine: I had left the bottom engine ‘tin’ parts off so they wouldn’t be crushed while moving the engine around on the floor, with the intention of installing them once the engine is in place. This is still a good plan, but what I didn’t realize was that two of the baffles cannot be installed with the push rod tubes in place. Removing the push rod tubes requires removing the cylinder head which requires removing the fan shroud which requires removing the engine: so it came back out tonight. I’m taking this opportunity to replace the push rod tube end seals; I didn’t do this earlier and I got new seals as part of a seal kit.

Today I installed the fuel tank and engine. The engine bay has not been repainted, but the goal at this point is to get it drivable; the engine is easy to remove, so the engine bay can be restored relatively easily at a later date. Also, I have a limited amount of blue paint, it should be enough for everything but just in case it isn’t I’d rather the second batch be used for the engine compartment than running out somewhere on the outside.