PROJECT Z

We have been looking at various vans to take on as a project for a little while and, in May 2015 we came across a rather nice Morris Z van in Wales.

We used one of our trusted transport companies to collect the van and deliver it up to us in Perthshire for work to begin on transforming it for Milford Vintage Engineering.

It was in a fairly good condition upon arrival, but we had decided to change its livery to our blue with gold sign writing.  We started by stripping off all the fittings, ladders, roof panel, glass, etc, before sending it to the body shop/painter we use, Gordon Needs.

Stripped out

Off to the body shop

As he got stuck into the project, Gordon discovered that the sills had been filled/patched with fibre glass.  Our philosophy is to "do it right" first time and not have to revisit work in the future, so the body was removed from the chassis so that the sills could be replaced along with sections of the lower body.

Going back to bare metal

Whilst the body was off, we took the opportunity to overhaul the chassis, including shot blasting to remove the rather garish yellow paint.  It was then painted in a couple of coats of primer and then black gloss.

Ready for steam cleaning

Ready for the body to be refitted

The springs have been stripped down, cleaned up and rebuilt, the axles have been stripped, cleaned and re-painted.  The brakes have been stripped, overhauled, new pipes run and then rebuilt and the steering box was overhauled.  Once the chassis work was completed it went back to the body shop and the van body was refitted.

Springs are stripped down to
 individual leaves

Springs will be removed for overhaul

Springs back on chassis

Brakes have been overhauled (master cylinder visible)

The van is being re-painted with numerous coats of primer and colour coat with a cream interior and blue exterior.  The wings and radiator grille are black.

Body in primer

Some of the panels in primer

The interior has been given a fresh coat of cream

Body is now in colour coat

Front wing

NEW WEBSITE FOR MILFORD VINTAGE ENGINEERING

We have finally got our new website live after many months' development.  Head over to www.vintage-engineering.co.uk to have a look.

There are still some more photos to go into the gallery but have a look around and let us know your thoughts.

1934 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25

This car used to belong to the owner's aunt before leaving the family for a few years.

Following its arrival last spring, work on this phase of the 20/25 restoration is almost complete.  (The owner is thinking about tackling the body and paint work next year, after using the car for the summer).

One of the final tasks has been the front seats.  As you can see from the photographs, the leather had discoloured and torn after 80 years of use.

Now we are just awaiting the return of the wheels following painting and new tyres then it will be time for road testing the car.

Although the base has already been removed, the wear on the seat
is quite apparent

Finished article back in the car
(note that the 'mark' under the steering wheel is only a shadow)

1934 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25 ENGINE REBUILD

Here are a few photos of the Rolls-Royce 20/25 engine as we were building it back up. 

It is now back in the car and running well on test.  We will put a few miles on the car before it is returned to its owner and then it will come back to us for a 500 mile service.

Crankshaft damper

Crankcase with crank on right and main bearings, etc, in foreground

Pistons and con rods about to be checked for weights/balancing

Front of crankcase with distributor drive going into position

Timing gears in position

Close up of crankshaft oil feed pipes

Cylinder head with valves, etc, ready to be fitted

Crankcase awaiting cylinder block

View inside the sump - the oil level float/indicator is clearly visible
at the bottom of the picture

Cylinder head and block back in place

Crankshaft damper now fitted

Engine cradle refitted

Engine being craned back into position

Engine back in and connecting up the ancillaries

All connected up and running

NEW MECHANIC

Welcome to Allan, one of our two new mechanics.  Allan has over 30 years' experience in the motor trade, both here in Scotland and also in Australia.  Allan is a member of the Strathmore Vintage Vehicle Club and is really interested in the vintage racing scene.  He is also looking for a vintage tractor.

1952 Alvis TA21 - Engine rebuild

The engine parts for the TA21 are all back from the machine shop and Ian has been busy building the engine back up.  As with all our engine rebuilds, the engine is stripped and cleaned so that all parts can be thoroughly inspected.  Any new parts are ordered and any necessary machining is carried out including surfacing the head and block to ensure a nice, neat fit.  The components can be cleaned several times during the rebuild so that we don't get any foreign matter within the newly rebuilt engine.  The customer can decide the level of finish/detailing, too.  This can be no painting, just as the engine came out, hand painted block, etc, or spray painting.

This engine is being hand painted so that it looks nice and smart.  There is no need to go to the top extreme with this since the car is not concours, but a genuine used quality with nice patina.

Engine removed from car

Starting strip-down

Parts ready for cleaning and checking

Machining pistons to match weights

Gapping piston rings

Fitting pistons to conrods

Checking timing chain alignment

Setting TDC

1939 ROVER 16

The Rover passed its MOT test without any problem and is ready for collection in February when the owner returns from abroad.  Here are a few photos of the finished car following an extensive restoration which included engine and gearbox rebuild; suspension, brakes and steering overhaul; bare metal re-spray; refurbished wood trim; re-plating the chrome and new carpets.  The original seats were in good condition so these were fed with a leather restorer and left original.

Finished article complete with coach lines

Front view showing off the beautiful chrome

New carpets and very shiny woodwork

A wee peak under the bonnet