The cleaned and coated fuel tank is back in its place in the front of the trunk, a new fuel filter has been inserted in the line - the fuel system is buttoned up. Today I dropped the oil pan. It had several ounces of gasoline in it - hopefully the renewed carburetor float valves will deal with the problem of fuel leaking thru the carbs when the rear end of the car is elevated.

With the pan off it was time to check another sort of float - that of the crankshaft. I'd read somewhere regarding clutch problems that excessive crankshaft end float, the result of worn thrust washers - could be an issue. I took a trip down to the nearest Harbor Freight to obtain a magnetic-base dial gauge needed to check it. Whoo-hoo! The maximum travel I could get out of the crankshaft was 0.006 inches - right at the lower end of the specification, indicating minimum wear. So tomorrow the pan goes back on with a new gasket, gets filled with oil, and the car is another step toward blue highway freedom.