02-05-2022, 06:43 PM
After a few decades of work on my Austin seven Ruby mk1 it finally went on the road a couple of years ago. I enjoyed driving it till I came to the first hill and it slowed down so much, but I think I've finally figured out how to drive it.
Realising that a 1934 Ruby has the worst power to weight ratio of all sevens, with a heavy body and low compression engine, I have now removed excess weight. Spare oil and water have gone, along with various other things. That helps.
The engine is now thoroughly 'run in' and a bit looser. That helps.
But driving technique also helps. Previously I was going fast to get a good approach to a hill, and hoping I wouldn't need to change down a gear, but sometimes a gearchange is essential. Changing gear is not a problem, but I then accelerated away hard in the lower gear. That's where I seem to have been going wrong.... Drop down a gear and scream away in the lower gear was uncomfortable. It sounded as if both engine and gearbox would explode. Sometimes I managed to speed up enough to go back up a gear, just to change back down again.
Think I've cracked it now. Change down a gear as the hill dictates, then continue gently in the lower gear. Just keep it going at that speed. Don't try to thrash it any faster. Much more pleasant!
Realising that a 1934 Ruby has the worst power to weight ratio of all sevens, with a heavy body and low compression engine, I have now removed excess weight. Spare oil and water have gone, along with various other things. That helps.
The engine is now thoroughly 'run in' and a bit looser. That helps.
But driving technique also helps. Previously I was going fast to get a good approach to a hill, and hoping I wouldn't need to change down a gear, but sometimes a gearchange is essential. Changing gear is not a problem, but I then accelerated away hard in the lower gear. That's where I seem to have been going wrong.... Drop down a gear and scream away in the lower gear was uncomfortable. It sounded as if both engine and gearbox would explode. Sometimes I managed to speed up enough to go back up a gear, just to change back down again.
Think I've cracked it now. Change down a gear as the hill dictates, then continue gently in the lower gear. Just keep it going at that speed. Don't try to thrash it any faster. Much more pleasant!