Thanks for the kind words.
Well I've been far too busy for posting on here.
Had a little drive here and there in it with a couple of mates on board (not at the same time), first passenger was my friend who came with me to Inters on that fateful day. It's very raw at the moment, minimal dash, no sound proofing or carpet. It's quite noisy!... Drove it in the rain which resulted in it getting ridiculously dirty and I had to clean it properly for the first time. Wasn't sure what would be best on satin black as I already found out waxing it doesn't really work. After a bit of trial and error Mer seems to work really well. I really do need to sort the dents out and finish the paint! This picture kind of hides most of the different shades of black!
Have you still not.... oh hang on.
Right, now it's on the road, as summer is approaching, make sure the engine's tuned in, that the rubber's not seven years old (it'll be catchy and let go without warning and unexpectedly because it'll have de-gassed) and get some hard miles wound on it.
Entertaining how many people posting in this thread didn't have GCSEs, let alone licenses when this was last on the road.
I'm off work today and will be attempting a better tune up while I still have the gas analyser. I really need to do the valve clearances but don't have the correct tools to pop the shims out.
When you say rubber, are you referring to the belt? If so I'm on the case and this has always been on my mind. The belt has barely any miles on it but it is old, it appears to be in a fine condition but the age of it worries me and I must admit I am nervous as I believe even a standard DX engine is an interference engine. A new belt and tensioner has been ordered. Lets hope the current one will be OK for the next few days.
2004 doesn't seem too long ago really, well it didn't until you posted the above and I read the responses!