More progress today!
Bled the brakes-don't know if it made a difference as I couldn't take it for a drive as I had painted the front valance with epoxy primer.
At least the bleed nipples opened ok-should have a new master cylinder tomorrow-it's for a Carlton but looks the same.
Investigated the gearbox wiring-found lots of wires and the control box that will not be needed following advice from Leon on Autobahnstormers. The box at present will not go into 4th-it's looking for a signal from the electronic speedo-mine is not electronic. You can replace all this gubbings with a relay and switch-the control box only stops you changing into 3rd above 90mph.
Found out why the dash illumination lights would not work-all bulbs are blown-have ordered some from ebay along with LED replacements (white) which I will give a go and if not too bad will leave them in as they last a lot longer than normal bulbs.
It's a bit of a pain removing the dash.
Hope to have the new master cylinder on in the next few days.
Will keep posted.
Regards
Steve