Joined: Sep 2023 Posts: 8 Threads: 1
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Location: US
Car type: 1937 American Austin 7 Roadster Convertible
Hello all, I’m trying to get my grandfathers 1937 American Austin Seven 2 seater convertible running. They’re apears to be very little oil in the crankcase at the moment. but it does turn freely using the crank on the front of the vehicle. I have emptied the gas tank and cleaned it out and blew out the fuel lines.
I’m having trouble finding out the Engine oil amount. There is no dipstick with the vehicle that i can find. I found some information on a forum stating the oil dipstick dimensions of 5 inches from the bottom of the eyelet to the end of the dipstick & 1.75 inches from the end of the dipstick to the full marking line so i made my own dipstick using this reference. I put in 4 1/2 quarts of oil today and the oil is no where near the fill tube still. There is nothing leaking out.
What should the quantity of engine oil be for this vehicle.
Many Thanks, Jason
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 3,395 Threads: 106
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Location: Darkest Bedfordshire
Jason, the standard Austin Seven sump held 4 pints of oil. Even the "deep" sports sump - widely reported as holding 8 pints - holds only about 6 pints. I have no idea at all what capacity a Bantam had, but 4.5 quarts already sounds like too much.
Joined: Sep 2023 Posts: 8 Threads: 1
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Location: US
Car type: 1937 American Austin 7 Roadster Convertible
Thank you so much for your reply’s! I had an Aha moment after searching online for the location of the dipstick again I remembered seeing a ring on the crank case in front of the starter. I had pulled it as hard as i could and even put a screw driver through it and tried to pull it but it wouldn’t even wiggle. After seeing the illustration i went back and grabbed it with a set of pliers and it finally came free. Oil immediately strarted coming out of the dipstick hole so i opened the drain plug and let it flow out for about 15 seconds and then screwed it back on. I checked the oil again multiple times and it was by chance exactly perfect to the full line. I had definitely way over filled.
So happy to have found the dipstick & excited to be one step closer to getting my grandfathers pride and joy up and running. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer.
Next i need to address what type of coolant to use that’s available here in the US and the gas peddle not returning after pushing it down. There is a spring that is attached to the linkage that goes from the gas pedal to the carburetor that appears to be broken. I don’t see looking at it how it worked as a return spring for the gas pedal. I’m sure i can find a conventional spring that could work near the carburetor or attached to the gas pedal. anyone know what spring i should be looking for and how it worked?
Much appreciated, Cheers.. Jason
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30-09-2023, 09:28 AM
(This post was last modified: 30-09-2023, 09:55 AM by Hugh Barnes.
Edit Reason: changed US to UK!
)
I'm sure everyone is totally clear on this, but American pints and UK pints are different volumes - as are quarts and gallons etc. Just in case there was any confusion...
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 3,395 Threads: 106
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Good point Hugh (UK pint is 20 fl.oz vs US 16 fl.oz) - so we know where not to order a beer!
As for coolant, plain water is fine as long as you use the drain tap to empty the radiator in cold weather. Ideally use rain water, to avoid scaling. By all means use "blue" anti-freeze (not OAT) or a corrosion inhibitor, as this will help longevity, though it doesn't do anything for cooling. If you just want to fire the engine up and get it to run tap water will be fine.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,050 Threads: 108
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A British fluid oz is different from an American fluid oz - 28.413 ml and 29.574 ml respectively, or 4% - should this ever be relevant.
