Greetings all--for those who are interested I have an update on the saga of my binding-up B18. At last contact I was worried about a tight spot in the engine's rotation; I decided to let the issue rest while thinking about how to proceed, and went about putting some other parts back on the 544. In the space of five minutes I discovered that my home-brewed swing-mounted brake pedal interfered with the heater control, and that the M41 I'd installed shifted beautifully into first, second and fourth but would not go into third. Once finally coaxed into third, would not be coaxed back out. No amount of clutch linkage adjustment seemed to affect the situation. In blackest frustration I decided to pull the engine and transmission--fortunately I didn't have time until about a week later, which allowed for a cooling-off period.

I've just finished pulling the engine and separating the transmission from the bellhousing: tight spot in engine disappeared instantly. One down...

The M41 is one of unknown background. Was supposed to have been running perfectly, etc. When I first installed it I tore it down only enough to replace seals and inspect, all appeared well and still does, from a cursory glance under the inspection cover (now late and running out the door to the in-laws' to watch the game) No evidence of a bent input or output shaft: any opinions on a locked-in-third, tight-spot causing M41? More info when I look farther into it...