What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Dave Mann]

     Here's a drawing of the starting handle for a 1934 engine showing no seal. Due to it's design the handle locating boss and it's housing are prone to wear because of water causing corrosion aggravated by road dirt and being bounced about on the front of a Seven. All of mine have needed rectification due to up to 1/4” of slop by bushing the housing and when done were quite a neat fit which soon became slack due to use. To stop water and road dirt entering the engine I have since found an 'O' ring which does the job and provides some resilience between the steel handle and aluminium housing. With the Ruby being longer I suspect the problem is worse and my mod would reduce oil leakage when facing down hill.