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.     

[Tony Griffiths]

Thanks, David. I always wondered if the later nosepieces were sealed - and now I know that they were not!

 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. 

[Reckless Rat]

I repaired the nosecone of my 33 car after a mishap - I dropped the engine when the lifting mechanism failed and the casting broke. While it was off the car a very nice welder chappie reformed the stops for the starting shaft, and I bored the housing out to 1" and machined a sleeve for the shaft, maching two 'O' ring grooves in it. It has done the trick. Perhaps the later nosecones are more susceptible due to there being more oil being able to collect in there, despite the drain hole, and of course wear.

A good rule is not to park a later car facing downhill...

[Howard Wright]

Hi All

Over the weekend I cut out and sewed up a new hood bag for the Special.  The old one had faded so much it was nearly white!  The old hood bag was made of man made fibre and although quite tough didn’t have a period feel.  The new bag is made of a waxed cotton and, I think, looks the part.  BUT… The tonneau cover now looks faded in comparison so I’ve ordered some more of the cotton canvas!

How is it that one job always leads to another  .

Cheers

Howard

[JohnD]

This weekend I started to look at what was required to make a new exhaust tail pipe to tie into the existing 4 branch.

Looking to possibly roll a new silencer that will retain the twin tail pipes!!! 

   

[Dave Mann]

I don't know why the drawing is upside down and note the spring chamber drain hole which aids dumping oil when facing down hill.

[Chris KC]

Hi All

Over the weekend I cut out and sewed up a new hood bag for the Special.  The old one had faded so much it was nearly white!  The old hood bag was made of man made fibre and although quite tough didn’t have a period feel.  The new bag is made of a waxed cotton and, I think, looks the part.  BUT… The tonneau cover now looks faded in comparison so I’ve ordered some more of the cotton canvas!

How is it that one job always leads to another  .

Cheers

Howard

Howard that looks splendid, and bravo if you made it yourself.
(n.b. I've sent you an e-mail)

[Stephencrisp360]

I don't know why the drawing is upside down and note the spring chamber drain hole which aids dumping oil when facing down hill.

Thanks are you saying that the bit I have highlighted is a drain hole back into the engine sump?

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If it helps and you can see. This is our drive

[AustinWood]

If you click on the image it opens in a new tab the right way up.