"Houston, we have ignition"

A major achievement today: thanks to Jason and Steve's efforts and skill, we started the Zodiac! That's the first time it's been running since we started on our problem investigation and the subsequent engine rebuild. At the first attempt, the timing was off so badly that we had a gout of flame spurting up dramatically from the carb. (Jason looks surprisingly happy considering he nearly lost his eyebrows!) One quick adjustment later, though, it started beautifully and ran much more smoothly than I remember it used to before we started our project. 

We only ran it very briefly (as we haven't got the coolant system completed and filled yet!), but it was a wonderful moment :) Now to finish off the various minor bits and pieces (including finding/replacing some parts that have gone astray...), then we can run it up to temperature and get it properly set up.