Well, I decided to do further checks before trying to start this engine.
I had checked the oil, and it was amazingly clear. It looked like it had been very recently changed so I thought it should be OK.
My fer of trying to start the engine got the better of me though, and I decided to remove the crankcase door and look inside just in case.
Good job I did. There was nothing but sludge in the space under the crank.
I then proceeded to do a complete oil change. There were four distinct layers.
The top layer was perfectly clear, like new oil
The next layer was dirty oil
The third layer was sludge
The fourth layer was a thin layer of water.
I was completely fooled. I did not think that seperation would leave a thick top layer of what looked like new oil.
So I went further, and spent a very unpleasant afternoon cleaning out guck and sludge and emulsion and all sorts of horrible bits of carbon. Access is very poor,and I have scrapes and bruises of all sorts on my hands.
I took out the filter, and when I removed the pipe perfectly clear water came out of the oil pump so I took that off, and found that there was no non-return valve in the bottom.
I worked my way back along the pipe hoping to find a non-return valve, but found nothing. I then took the pump off my donor engine and that had a valve and worked fine.
I have now re-assembled everything,and checked the oil feed to everywhere and it seems OK.
I had one nasty moment when I poured away the diesel I was using as a wash bath and saw lots of shiny bits of brass in the bottom. About half an hour later I remembered I had used it to wsah off the brass components I had made to adapt a Massey 35 fuel filter for the engine.
New diesel and a rewash and I was happy again :)
So after a dirty day I am now where I was, only with an engine that hopefully won't self destruct when I do try to start it.
I have now learned the Newby lesson number 1........NEVER NEVER NEVER assume things will be OK. Check check and check again, and when you think everything is ready repeat the checks.
There is only one thing more important than this for a Newby like me, and that is what I had here.....an amazing amount of luck :)
Alan