04-06-2022, 11:29 AM
After spending the last few years on vintage, mag engine Austin Sevens, I have to confess to a relapse. I went along to the most recent Richard Edmonds auction and was beguiled by a very original Big 7 Sixlite.
The car is virtually untouched since it stopped being used by its original owner in 1962, with about 21,000 miles on the clock. The seats are original, complete with “float-on-air” cushions, original headlining, floor mats and so on.
f10b4095-069e-4833-a23b-ae92017b1b11.jpg (Size: 163.02 KB / Downloads: 914)
0c7ac7ce-8d85-4e9f-bf58-ae92017d02a5.jpg (Size: 114.37 KB / Downloads: 914)
Sadly, however, the car is mechanically deficient. The engine was started on the day I got it home but continually oils plugs and blows plumes of blue smoke from the exhaust. Oil pressure is good however. The gearbox is noisy, probably the input bearing having rusted during its long storage.
Finally, the rear axle is noisy, inspection show a massive amount of end float on the pinion, which may or may not have damaged it. Probably down to the juddery clutch having “worked” the pinion and fretted the components assembled along it, shortening the spacer and producing the symptom.
f9eec2e8-e16e-44da-b558-ae920180a2a9.jpg (Size: 129.6 KB / Downloads: 919)
Engine has been removed this holiday weekend and is being stripped down for measuring now.
Potentially, I will need a set of +20 pistons at least for the rebuild with shells, size dependant on whether the crank needs a regrind.
Otherwise, the car drives OK (for a Big 7) on the few brief test runs I took it on. Very reminiscent of the Fourlight Big 7 we had ten years ago; super juddery clutch, positively evil handling characteristics but quite quick on a smooth road, even with a poorly engine.
The car is virtually untouched since it stopped being used by its original owner in 1962, with about 21,000 miles on the clock. The seats are original, complete with “float-on-air” cushions, original headlining, floor mats and so on.
f10b4095-069e-4833-a23b-ae92017b1b11.jpg (Size: 163.02 KB / Downloads: 914)
0c7ac7ce-8d85-4e9f-bf58-ae92017d02a5.jpg (Size: 114.37 KB / Downloads: 914)
Sadly, however, the car is mechanically deficient. The engine was started on the day I got it home but continually oils plugs and blows plumes of blue smoke from the exhaust. Oil pressure is good however. The gearbox is noisy, probably the input bearing having rusted during its long storage.
Finally, the rear axle is noisy, inspection show a massive amount of end float on the pinion, which may or may not have damaged it. Probably down to the juddery clutch having “worked” the pinion and fretted the components assembled along it, shortening the spacer and producing the symptom.
f9eec2e8-e16e-44da-b558-ae920180a2a9.jpg (Size: 129.6 KB / Downloads: 919)
Engine has been removed this holiday weekend and is being stripped down for measuring now.
Potentially, I will need a set of +20 pistons at least for the rebuild with shells, size dependant on whether the crank needs a regrind.
Otherwise, the car drives OK (for a Big 7) on the few brief test runs I took it on. Very reminiscent of the Fourlight Big 7 we had ten years ago; super juddery clutch, positively evil handling characteristics but quite quick on a smooth road, even with a poorly engine.