Nick and Cath;

Welcome (back?)!

In addition to George's good advice, the fuelpump spacer is made of brittle Bakelite, when replacing, the fuelpump hardware must be tightened evenly (and not overtightened), or it can easily break again. Also, there is a remote possibility (if you find the spacer intact), that the oil is leaking from the breather hole in the bottom of the fuelpump housing, due high crankcase pressure caused by a possibly clogged PCV system...just a thought...but in the case of a clogged PVC system, there would probably also be excessive oil leakage from the oil filler cap.

The temperature sensor, connecting tube and guage are a sealed, single assembly, and if the guage needle is indicating at all, can be considered to be working...the exact accuracy of the needle is another story...but this may be checked... by removing the sender from the rear of the top of cylinder head (carefully, without compromising the capillary tube), placing it into a styrofoam cup, filling the cup with (truly) boiling water, and noting the displacement of the guage needle. There are calibration marks on the upper edge of the guage face (use a flashlight and look from below to see them), the high temp cal mark (100 deg. C) is pointed to when needle is in middle of upper white region *. If that's not were the needle winds up, it's just age making itself known, just make a mental note where it IS, and keep that in mind later, when everything is back together. Adjustment of the needle is possible, but I don't recommend it for the inexperienced.

This temperature indicating system is very good in that needs NO electrical power, and has a virtually instant response time...so can show the temp drop as you raise the revs...this is normal, but I would make sure your thermostat is OK and system cooling can hold pressure which makes it more efficient. Yes, it IS a bit disconcerting to see the temp needle take off toward and into the red after shutting OFF the engine, but it's perfectly normal, because as a filled thermal system not needing electrical power, it is still indicating after the engine (and therefore coolant circulation) is shut OFF.

For additional info on filled thermal system temp indicator see: http://www.intelab.com/swem/service%20notes.htm#Gauges

* I'll post one of the guage face showing cal marks on swEm Service Notes page shortly.

Cheers