Yup, got the 214 GSi running today.

https://www.facebook.com/10000333153466 ... 034998934/

I managed to sneak some time on Hyacinth today, and got her back together.
Also fitted the PRT Thermostat mod to her, which wasn’t exactly straightforward, as the earlier 214’s have less free space in the area around the bottom hose, and a different connection to the reservoir.

I sort of followed the instructions found elsewhere on the net, but they were really for the later cars, which have a different bottom hose layout, so I had to fabricate an unequal tee to connect the bottom hose to the coolant reservoir.

Pipe run to the reservoir is less than ideal, but it will do until I can get some 16mm OD hard line to make up the coolant run past the manifold.

System filled and bled without any dramas. Warm up was quick and controlled.
Stat opened when it should.

I had a few short local test drives, and all seems good - engine is sweet and the tappet noise is now gone. Theres a bit of noise from the gearbox, new bearings needed I suspect.
Final checks tomorrow, then off for inspection.

I’m calling that a success..