i want to ask a question to all BIS owners who have ever taken the rear panel off. How many of you have held the engine up with a jack? I have. In fact I've been doing it for years and for all those years I've tripped and stumbled over the damm thing plus I have not been able to move the car so I've decided to do something about it. Over the last few days I've been building and engine brace

and here it is


It's a it "Heath Robinson" but it does the job beautifully. It's made out of an old gate post chopped down to size with legs welded on each end to fit the engine bay aperture with an extension from the middle which bolts to where the throttle and choke cable bracket it's on the top of the engine block.

I made it whilst the rear panel was still on so once fitted the engine mount can be removed and the engine stays exactly where it is so in theory I won't need to giggle the engine about to relocate the engine mount bolt (c'mon we've all done it

). And although I can't drive it with this fitted, I can still shut the tailgate (just) and push the car out of the garage

Oh and I made this handy tray and welded it to the side just over where the alternator is to hold all the bolts and springs for the mount and rear panel

If you have any welding skills at all (or know someone who does) then I urge you to make one of these. I wish i'ld done it years ago!