[simonjrwinter]

Wilf,
Sod's law isn't it. If don't fix this I'm going to go out and buy a ch**y engine to put in the bloody thing.

1 the small ends all seem absolutely fine side to side. clearances..I'll check

2 The block was bored to match the pistons, although I have the block and pistons in my Renault at the moment and will be paying the machine shop a visit first thing

3 Think you're right there.

4 NO signs of overheating, ran the engine first with no thermostat to bring it up to temperature more gently (as advised by several people) for running in the cam. put thermostat in after that. engine had NEVER risen above 82 degrees on the gauge (Two BIG fans)

5 To be perfectly honest, after I refitted the rocker, started the engine and heard the noise, It never got hot again. I have only started it for a few seconds (no more than a minute) just to see if I'd cured the knock

6 Ring gap, don't remember now, but was VERY careful no to make it too small. Rings were filed to fit individual cylinders. When I'm rich and famous I'll be able to afford a supercharger and the engine was built with that in mind (probe recommended 30thou plus if using a "power adder") so the ring gaps were left a little larger than normal and the compression ratio no too high. However I will check the end gaps and report back.

Simon