Re: Project “will it go again..?” 1961 Austin Seven Deluxe Restoration
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 1:59 pm
More progress. Took it to have tracking done, exhaust sealed up, and the rear tyres swapped over. Tracking was MILES out before I started. Considering the invasive surgery this car’s had, I’m pretty pleased with how square it seems to be. Maybe some small adjustment at the rear to get is absolutely perfect but the drive home was significantly better.
Unfortunately the weather turned while I was out and whilst having no door glass in isn’t ideal, having no wipers was certainly a terrible idea. It was a very light shower though and we got home safe.
Engine still not really that happy, balanced the carbs up again, set timing to 6 degree static as per MG1100 settings which is the closest I can think to this engine spec.
Seems to be rich on middle two cylinders and leaner if not almost right on one and four. I think I’ll try a different needle, before the rolling road session next week.
Got some more gremlins to fix; another oil leak, this appears to be coming from a tappet cover and or the open vent breather so might change that out for a canister type. Rear wheel bearings are really not happy - they’re one of the bits that I cleaned up, packed with grease and decided to run again. They’ve not seen the road since late 1995 so they’re due a change
Fitted up the heater and solved some electrical problems with lights yesterday, the old ‘custom’ trim now has a lovely patina about it and I think I’ll keep it. It’s part of the cars history now. Black speedo, jury’s out; I have a cream one but it needs a repair, and the other cream one I have needs restoration. Again, this black one is part of the history so I might just stay.
Wipers were fitted and despite having a new motor, they really didn’t want to work. It seems that the replacement MiniSpares arms and blades are too strong for the motor, though eventually as the grease worked it’s way up the rack, things improved. Obviously much better on a wet screen. Also, they stick up off the spindle so far and add so much bulk that the bonnet doesn’t want to open. I’ve found the old ones and will try those instead. These are now for sale.
This morning I’ve been looking at glass - passenger door, front of drivers door, both rear quarters and rear screen are all original to the car. I could do with some reminding on how to fit the door glasses though. The lower runner strip seems to be a gnats too long to happily slide into place. I can’t remember how I fitted one last time; it was the middle of a cold February by the side of the road following a break in..
So I’ve embarked instead on fitting the chrome strips… luck required.
Unfortunately the weather turned while I was out and whilst having no door glass in isn’t ideal, having no wipers was certainly a terrible idea. It was a very light shower though and we got home safe.
Engine still not really that happy, balanced the carbs up again, set timing to 6 degree static as per MG1100 settings which is the closest I can think to this engine spec.
Seems to be rich on middle two cylinders and leaner if not almost right on one and four. I think I’ll try a different needle, before the rolling road session next week.
Got some more gremlins to fix; another oil leak, this appears to be coming from a tappet cover and or the open vent breather so might change that out for a canister type. Rear wheel bearings are really not happy - they’re one of the bits that I cleaned up, packed with grease and decided to run again. They’ve not seen the road since late 1995 so they’re due a change
Fitted up the heater and solved some electrical problems with lights yesterday, the old ‘custom’ trim now has a lovely patina about it and I think I’ll keep it. It’s part of the cars history now. Black speedo, jury’s out; I have a cream one but it needs a repair, and the other cream one I have needs restoration. Again, this black one is part of the history so I might just stay.
Wipers were fitted and despite having a new motor, they really didn’t want to work. It seems that the replacement MiniSpares arms and blades are too strong for the motor, though eventually as the grease worked it’s way up the rack, things improved. Obviously much better on a wet screen. Also, they stick up off the spindle so far and add so much bulk that the bonnet doesn’t want to open. I’ve found the old ones and will try those instead. These are now for sale.
This morning I’ve been looking at glass - passenger door, front of drivers door, both rear quarters and rear screen are all original to the car. I could do with some reminding on how to fit the door glasses though. The lower runner strip seems to be a gnats too long to happily slide into place. I can’t remember how I fitted one last time; it was the middle of a cold February by the side of the road following a break in..
So I’ve embarked instead on fitting the chrome strips… luck required.