The initial diagnosis proved wrong - the head is still perfectly sealed, and I was dumbfounded as to why there was in fact steam coming out of the engine bay rather than being combusted, not to mention the car was not holding water whatsoever, even whilst switched off. I then discovered water leaking onto the starter motor, and dripping down directly onto the exhaust. Using a mirror, I found the cause of my problems - a leaky and badly corroded welsh plug.
The 35mm piece of metal which left me stranded.
Not content with the prospect of paying a silly amount of labor to have a $3 part replaced, I went and bought 3x35mm plugs, and 3x45mm plugs, and some loctite sealant, and removed the carburettor, and manifolds (all on the passenger side). Most of the time when a welsh plug goes, it is an engine-out job, but the beaty of the '55 is the 4K is so damn small, ample room is left for bashing out the old plugs, and replacing them. A few hours, and a lot of swearing and cursing saw the carb and manifolds off, plugs replaced, and car up and running once more.
Next stop, VHT dye the interior matte black, a custom stickerbombed dash facia (tastefully I assure you), LED cluster conversion, and maybe then I'll consider prepping my beast for sale. I have another project in mind in the very near future - the words Lexus, GS300, and VIP are relevant here.
