On Friday, I received some photos from the chap who was restoring the Gardner 3LW to supposedly 'show condition'. He seemed to think it was nearly ready to send to the boatyard. I thought differently, as it looked like it was only 60% complete.
Long story short, we agreed to part ways and he, to be fair, refunded all my deposit money very promptly.
So this left me with an improved bank balance but a big 'ole where the bloody engine should be in a few weeks.
Thinking cap on, I contacted a guy I'd spoken to some months ago. He had a complete, restored 3LW fitted with a 1.5:1 gearbox, the predecessor of the PRM500. He confirmed he still had it and that he was willing to sell.
Great news, problem solved in a flash! Too easily, it transpired. I drove nearly 200 miles, only to be told that he had decided not to sell it after all. Nice chap.
Back home, a flurry of phone and email enquiries followed, resulting in a few possibilities - a Lister JP2, a Russell Newbery DM2 or a Gardner 3L2. It's now going to be down to who can deliver the engine within the timeframe of the shell build.
So at the moment, I still have an engine 'ole, but hopefully will soon have a lovely piece of British engineering to fill it.
On the plus side, the S-shaped swim, counter and some side plates are already welded in place! Good progress after only a few days. The boys are really cracking on.
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| Some bearers down |
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| Isn't that pretty? |
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| Knife-edge stem |
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| Shame it's going to be hidden underwater! |
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| Counter welded in place |
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