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Manifold clamps are located, and on their way. I spoke to the vendor I got my pump from, and after 4 follow up phone calls from me, they finally shipped the oil pump drive gear with the correct distributor (off my old pump!) back to me. On vacation now, but should be able to get the old girl running once I get back home.

Manifold clamps are here.

The unnamed vendor sent me the distributor drive gear off of my old (core) oil pump. They did not drive out the roll pin and either drove off the old gear with a hammer or pulled it, shearing the pin. Either way, the gear is now cracked (and worthless!), but I found a correct gear in my garage from a donor engine I procured, so if all goes well, and I can find the time, the old girl should be put together in the next few days. I am taking the new girl to a car show this weekend, so I need to get it done this week or wait until Sunday.

It has been some time since I've updated the blog post, and a lot has happened. I got the car put back together just in time for Hershey. Literally just in time - I installed the vacuum advance line and the clutch return spring with the car on the trailer the night I left! I took it to Hershey to try and sell it. With two small children and a career to manage, it was impractical to try and have two antique cars. I'll branch out once I get out of the Navy and settle down.

I am both happy and sad to report that it did sell at Hershey. I had some misadventures, as always, when the car blew a freeze plug driving from the trailer to my spot on the field, but all's well that ends well. Closer inspection revealed that a burr on the lower edge of the hole likely precluded driving it in all the way. I installed the freeze plug procured by the keen-eyed 39SixSedanMan (thanks Pat!) and was back in the business. The gentleman that bought the car is planning on performing a stock restoration, and was interested in the car because his father had owned one. I think it will be in good hands.

Thanks to everyone for all the help as I worked through so many things on this car - it is gone, but all of my experiences are not! I can now say that I have rebuilt an engine (successfully) and I learned countless other things along the way.

Thanks again!

Congrats to you, Ken. Yes, never discount what you've learned on the way.
Pat

Bit of sad news - I sold this car at my first Hershey experience in 2015. I meant to keep in touch with the new owner, but promptly lost his contact information.

I just found his card, and a quick google search before I emailed him revealed that he passed in Feb of this year.

His plan was to put some new tires on the car and drive it - hope he got to enjoy it! I know I learned a lot from the old girl.