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It's definitely coming from there, no chance it's from the top of the head and just pooling around there? I only say this as just above there is the hole for the temp sender ( or heater hose as I've seen on some engines with the temp sender in the front hole position ) could it be welling up out of there, and then pooling around spark plugs 3 and 4? (clutching at straws here to be honest)

We have a breakthrough!

My friend the engine builder came along on Saturday and refitted the head with a new gasket purchased from Fred. He did not appears to do anything different than I did but used copious amounts of Wellseal and guess what, no leaks!!!!! It is a mystery to me but I am so relieved that it is back on and not leaking.

I put it all back together today but could not get it to fire, I have a spark at the points and plugs and it is pumping fuel but the plugs are dry so I think it is a fuel problem, onwards and upwards!

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

Did he brush a thick coat of Wellseal on both sides of the gasket? , glad you are getting there.

Thanks, no he just dabbed it all over the top of the block with his finger, then laid the gasket down and dabbed that as well, laid the head on and tightened it down.
It was put on quite thick and he left it a couple of minutes before assembly.
According to him all good engine builders use Wellseal when assembling, he should know as he builds Austin Healy racing engines and has done for many years very successfuly.

Just need to get it to start now!!!

glad you got the leak sorted

Thanks, need to get it running though!

If I'm unsure of whether the carb is working or not I usually dribble a tiny amount of fuel down the throat of the carb, if it is a fueling/carb issue the engine will fire on that small amount. And I mean a small amount, don't go chucking half a cup down there

I have also managed to run an engine for test purposes by filling a spray bottle with fuel and lightly misting the carb throat with a fine spray ....

These things are what I would do, just to check if the carb needed stripping etc.
In the interests of safety I couldn't possibly suggest you do something similar, I wouldn't want you setting fire to anything on my instruction, I'm just merely pointing out what I would do in a similar situation...ok?

( I think my *Bleep* is covered there )

I've had trouble getting my Sportshatch to start after it's been left a few weeks - similar to you I have a good spark, and I know there's fuel getting in. In my case a quick squirt of "Easy Start" into the front air filter seems to give it enough of a kick to get it running. And the bonus is that there's a lovely smell of "Victory V" cough sweets.

I use to stick a bit of neat fuel into the Dellortos on a previous hatch to get it going, but the East Start aerosol is a bit easier to manage.

It runs!!!!

Once again down to my inexperience, I had set the timing to the centre of the two marks instead of to 9 degrees. My engine builder friend spotted it and within two minutes it was running beautifully.

Road testing tomorrow, I can hardly wait......

Great news.... Hope it's going well now.