Original ulster engine rebuild

[Reckless Rat]

A quick question, Tony. Are the wedges ground out of the tops of the bores an original Austin feature on the sports blocks or are they a later addition?

[Dave Mann]

When Unipart 20/50 became unavailable I tried another classic oil only to have a valve sticking in no time. So I dumped that oil and tried Halfords Classic 20/50 another detergent oil and the valve freed up within half a mile.

[Tony Betts]

that`ll do me dave.

hi reckers, the porting is added.

thanks tony

[Ian Williams]

Hi Tony, stupid question maybe: Do you have the valve chest cover vented? I have found that without venting of some sort the amount of oil mist drawn into the valve chest is restricted and can lead to sticking valves especially if short journeys are regularly undertaken.

[Nick Lettington]

I have a Speedex tappet chest cover that hasn't been drilled for venting, much like Tony's Supaloy one (I'm assuming Tony doesn’t have holes as there are none visible). I'm considering using short studs and venting through the centre of cross-drilled thumb screws, just to avoid drilling holes in the cover now. I think it would be easier to add a pipe to a catch tank that way too,given the ribbed surface.

[Tony Betts]

hi nick,

the car came with a standard cover, but the venting holes were filled. i dont know why it wasnt vented. maybe because its a pessure feed engine.

it always leaked.

so i used the speedex cover, to set a leak free seal.

ill replace it with one of the plain covers i make, when im rebuilding.

tony.

[Mike Costigan]

An unvented crankcase is inviting oil leaks, irrespective of whether the crankshaft is pressure-fed or not.

[JonE]

so do the plain ally covers have vents and if so where?

[Tony Betts]

hi jonE.

i dont put any holes in, i leave that to the customer.

otherwise the austin 7 world will have me personalising them to each and everyones taste.

and at my prices, i cant let them do that.

tony

[Colin Wilks]

Are these not holes?