04-09-2024, 07:49 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-09-2024, 08:01 PM by David Stepney.)
Welcome to our happy band of Sevenists. Austin Sevens are not difficult but they do have their little quirks, so I reiterate Mike's comment that there are no stupid questions. If baffled by ant aspect of ownership, then please ask.
If your car is a '34 RP, then it should have synchro on third and to and little rubber top hat mountings under the feet of the engine. My own car is a year earlier and has the 'crash 4 speed box and solid engine mountings.
Doug Woodrow's excellent repair manual is a 'must' and, if you are in need of a handbook, I have one for a '34 car in my bookcase.
Yes, the car's handling takes a bit of getting used to. The front suspension setup is prone to being camber sensitive and they bump steer. it is imperative that the steering and suspension joints are in good condition, so check the kingpins (the cotters that secure them to the axle are like bicycle cotters and need to be checked for tightness frequently), the steering connections, the front spring shackles and the balljoint where the radius arms attach to the chassis. If these items are in good order, the car should behave reasonably well.
Just one more thing:- because of the rear suspension design, they suffer from roll oversteer. As the car leans into a bend, the outer spring tends to push the rear axle back slightly, whilst the inside spring does the opposite as it extends downwards. Its a bit unnerving until one gets used to it, but once you have learned to manage this quirk, its surprising how you can get a wriggle on (at least for an Austin Seven) on bendy roads.
If your car is a '34 RP, then it should have synchro on third and to and little rubber top hat mountings under the feet of the engine. My own car is a year earlier and has the 'crash 4 speed box and solid engine mountings.
Doug Woodrow's excellent repair manual is a 'must' and, if you are in need of a handbook, I have one for a '34 car in my bookcase.
Yes, the car's handling takes a bit of getting used to. The front suspension setup is prone to being camber sensitive and they bump steer. it is imperative that the steering and suspension joints are in good condition, so check the kingpins (the cotters that secure them to the axle are like bicycle cotters and need to be checked for tightness frequently), the steering connections, the front spring shackles and the balljoint where the radius arms attach to the chassis. If these items are in good order, the car should behave reasonably well.
Just one more thing:- because of the rear suspension design, they suffer from roll oversteer. As the car leans into a bend, the outer spring tends to push the rear axle back slightly, whilst the inside spring does the opposite as it extends downwards. Its a bit unnerving until one gets used to it, but once you have learned to manage this quirk, its surprising how you can get a wriggle on (at least for an Austin Seven) on bendy roads.