Progress of sorts happening. Suspension parts getting made rust free and shiny again, and the local garage is going to press out the old bushes and press in the new ones, which will help me greatly. While I wait for that, and for another parcel of parts to arrive, I cracked on with getting the engine apart in order to replace the timing chain and water pump, and inspect the state of the engine.
Good news, all appears in pretty fair condition, needing a scrub but not much further as far as I can see from bores etc. Bad news, the crankshaft pulley crumbled at the edges when I was trying to use an admittedly crappy puller to remove it, so a better puller and new pulley both ordered.
And once the knackered pulley is off, I can get the front cover off with the water pump.
My bodyshop guy has not been in touch, so I'm going to have to add that to the list of tasks. Very frustrating that I've been trying to get that done for almost a year, but as usual I'm going full Pollyanna and thinking about how it will mean the car will be more a product of my work and questionable skills.
And that the budget freed up can buy other things, like new Cosmics and other shiny things.
