Bit of a cough!

[tonicaek]

We can't get a good look at the "Business End" but the top two look like they may have been hot. Sorry this didn't bring a good result, it's time now to begin to take things apart.

BTW - did your wife know you used her cutting board for a backdrop? If I took car parts into my wife's sewing area I'd get my head handed to me

Here's a better view:

[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

Fortunately the cutting mat is mine what with the lack of wife.. The boyfriend probably won't appreciate me having sifted through his bin to find the plugs though..!

[bmcecosse]

The plugs are pretty knackered - but not the reason for the rough running. Off with it's head!

[tonicaek]

Have contacted the mechanic, hoping to get him in sometime next weekend, and have yet to be able to do a compression test as the boyfriend took the plug socket.
Here's hoping that it's the head gasket and not the pistons.. I'm not sure I have the cash to spare to get those sorted.

[bmcecosse]

Head gasket is cheap as chips. And easily changed. Neat website!

[tonicaek]

Already have a new one stashed in the boot, so fingers crossed it is..
And thanks!

[tonicaek]

The clever ole' chap's prognosis is that it's something wrong with the big end. Worn/rattling bearings? Can't see how lack of water in the rad could have caused this, unless it was just a coincidence and it's just general wear and tear..? I dunno.
He should be checking it over properly tomorrow, so I'll find out the diagnosis then. Fingers crossed it's nothing too expensive..

Have however bagged myself a reconditioned 1275cc head, w/ hardened valves and whatnot for a pittance, so that could be fun eventually.

[bmcecosse]

Well - bid ends may rattle - but they don't affect the running of the engine. Has the cylinder head been removed for inspection ? It's possible the engine was seized when you 'ran out of water' - and there could now be multiple things wrong with it - quite frankly making it beyond economic repair. So check it all out carefully before spending money 'fixing' one part of it - only to discover other miseries. A complete running engine can often be picked up quite cheaply if your's is too badly damaged. Don't even think about fitting a 1275 head to a less than tip-top engine!