What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Greig Smith]

Absolutely, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure

In theory if the RP was running well, you should be able to leave the crankcase in place, pop the head & the sump, pull the pistons (marking the big end caps clearly), pull the block, change the studs and replace the block without disturbing the valve adjustment.... of course a light valve grind while the block is on the bench isn't such a bad plan.

I did the the same to the engine in a friend's Ulsteroid a month or so back, very quick & easy to do and you don't have to pull the radiator or deal with the blind spline (Herbert's revenge)

We had it apart, honed the block & had it back together again the next day, welding the exhaust manifold & rebuilding the carb, genny, steering arm, brake pedal etc took a few more days.

I'd be more than happy to oblige, shall I send you my address for the air ticket ?? 

Aye
Greig