I find myself at a loose end for half an hour, so here's a tale for you.
The year was 1973 and I had started a foundry diploma course at Bolton Institute of Technology.
Travelling from Whittlesey, Cambs to my digs in Little Hulton, Lancs was an 8 hour trek if I caught all my connections.
What I needed was a car, so I bought a 1953 Austin Somerset from a workmate. Nicely hand painted cream. Cost me 8 quid.
I made it as far as Chesterfield before it spluttered to a halt, halfway up a hill. it was Sunday evening and already dark, so I asked in a nearby pub if I could leave the car in the pub car park until the following Wednesday. We got Wednesday afternoons off for some reason.
I was pretty certain that the head gasket had failed due to the prodigious amounts of steam emanating from the exhaust.
I then thumbed lifts the rest of the way to my digs.
I was gobsmacked to find a new head gasket in stock at a car parts and accessory shop in Walkden.
So, Wednesday lunchtime found me Chesterfield bound on the train with a carrier bag containing new head gasket, a few spanners, Red Hermetite and a hammer.
Out of courtesy to the kind pub landlord I thought it best not to take the piss by working on the car in his car park, so I limped the vehicle to the nearest layby.
Off with the head and DISASTER! The head gasket had indeed failed, but there was a small channel burnt on the top of the cylinder block, between two cylinders.
I hadn't bought a return train ticket, so I really needed to get the car mobile.
I cut a small sliver out of the old head gasket and glued it in the channel with Red Hermetite. Fitted the new gasket over the top, and bolted it all back together.
I cadged some water from a nearby house and topped the radiator up. Started the engine. Result! Engine running sweetly.
I ran the car for the whole of the 6 month term at college without any further problems, including going home once a month.
I was then due to work back at my job for the next 6 months, and the engine was showing signs of actually getting worn out.
I had noticed an old Austin Devon on it's side in a field close to where I lived. A quick check revealed an engine present. Knocked on a few doors to find the owner. Did a deal involving parting with 5 quid for the engine and box, if I removed it myself.
This was duly accomplished with the aid of a mate, a few spanners, a hammer and some rope.
We then fitted the Devon engine into the Somerset. The Somerset was column gear change whereas the Devon was floor change, so a hole was cut in the floor to accommodate the gear lever.
After removing various bird nesting materials from the carburetter the engine started quite easily.
Ran the car for another 12 months, then sold it for 5 quid.
I wish I had that car now.