Remember back in June I started to tune the carbs, which were running rich, when the B-B ran out of petrol. Since then I fitted a new 123 distributor and in early September I purchased 4 litres of petrol and poured it into the fuel tank.
Started the car and soon found petrol spewing out of the overflow. Turned off the engine and started thinking. This was a problem I had had with the original SU fuel pump. As I had corrected the float levels, previously, I pondered the problem and with advice, from the internet, decided to replace the jets.
I also removed the spark plugs and cleaned them, with an old contraption found in Father-in-Law's garage, see pics.

Fouled plugs	Old type plug cleaner

After replacing the plugs and resetting the new jets in the carbs, I started the car and found fuel gushing out even more. Fiddled around some with the jet settings with no improvement. So dismantled the float chamber of the leaking carby and replaced the needle valve and seat. Still no go. Whilst fiddling with everything it ran out of petrol, again.
At this point I abandoned the car for another week.

After cogitating, for the week, I decided that I have to check the pump pressure. This was a challenge, as the highest SU pressure spec I could find was only 3.5 psi. No gauge I had would measure that low, at least accurately. Now my very ancient physics lessons kicked in. Make a water gauge out of clear plastic tubing, of which I had plenty. Checking air pressure and the water column it would support (14.7 psi and 33 feet) and a bit of maths gave me the answer that 3.5 psi would lift water about 7 ¾ feet. This would be a pretty big gauge. Never fear Herb's here. Out with a ladder, a plank of wood, some clamps and blue coloured water ( to improve visibility).

Connect to the fuel line, fill the tank with more petrol, disconnect the ignition and turn on the ignition key. The fuel pump starts and water is seen to rise up the plastic tube. I turned the ignition key off when the water level got near the top of my gauge, about 10 feet. Obviously much too high a pressure, about 6 psi. Now, off to purchase a fuel pressure regulator. Eventually found one at Burson's, thanks to Denis' suggestion. Where to fit it? The instructions say under the bonnet, well away from the exhaust. Those of you who know the under bonnet layout understand that this is very very difficult because the fuel line runs right past the rear of the exhaust system.

After much soul searching I decided to fit it under the car, just after the pump and place a plastic bag around it to protect from road grime. I set it to 2 psi.

Fuel regulator fitted	Plastic bag fitted

I used cable ties to hold the plastic bag and regulator in place.

Turned the ignition on and now was greeted with a total lack of fuel pouring out of the overflow. One more problem licked.
The engine now showed signs of wanting to behave itself, but, as I had fiddled with the carbys, I need to do a complete setup again. One thing I noticed was that the engine ran a bit “lumpy”, which I put down to too great an advance. I will have to play with the distributor's various advance curves to find the most suitable.
As it was getting late, I left it at this for another day.

A small plea for help here, if I may. I'm getting to the point where the new hood has to be fitted, and though I was given a brief rundown and have read up on the fitting thereof, I have a pile of trim bits that have something to do with it and I have no clue where they all go. So if anyone out there knows how to fit the hood and associated trim, I would appreciate some help. I can be contacted on 0425 787 730. Thank you.