MVE NEWSLETTER

Our latest newsletter is now winging its way towards our customers and also available on our website

http://www.vintage-engineering.co.uk/images/newsletter/12-0.2842676.pdf

1939 ROVER 16

The Rover has been out for a test drive and is performing well.  It is off for a voluntary MOT test tomorrow and will then be cleaned up ready for delivery to the owners.

School visit

Yesterday the P1s and 2s from the local primary school came to visit for their topic on Transport.  Ian told them all sorts of interesting things about the cars in the workshop and they all had a sit in our own Bullnose Morris.  Today we have received three large sheets from the school with drawings and thank you letters.  Hopefully some new enthusiasts have been created!

1952 Alvis TA21

Well, the engine on the Alvis is now stripped down to its component parts.  It is extremely poor and we suspect that someone has used modern-type oil in this vintage engine.  It is so important to use the correct oil - all the moving parts in this engine have deep scores caused by carbon embedding itself into the soft bearing material and wearing away at the hard metal surfaces.

The waterways were also totally choked up with corrosion and debris so that the engine had been running quite hot.

Engine just as it has come out of the car

Corrosion and silt blocking the waterways

Timing chain tensioner right out on its maximum setting

Crankshaft before removal

Oil pump shaft showing scores due to carbon embedded in casing

1934 ALVIS SPEED 20SB

After months of work on the rotten frame, the owners have picked up their Alvis Speed 20 SB today.  The car looks stunning and they are very pleased with it.

Stripped back to find the horrors
underneath the metal skin

New parts of the frame going into position

Ready to go to the body/paint shop

All finished

1939 ROVER 16

We are now about a week away from finishing the Rover 16.  The car is looking great and runs well.  We have the wood trim to refit following refurbishment, a new set of carpets and the original seats which have been cleaned up.  The bonnet side panels will be fitted and then the car should be ready for a voluntary MOT test.

1939 ROVER 16

The Rover is back from the paint shop and looking good.  We are now in the process of fitting it up.  This includes refitting the front and rear wings using wing piping; making up the doors with their handles, window glass, winders, etc; and building up the chrome that has been re-plated (lights, bumpers, radiator surround, door handles and so on) then fitting it back onto the car.

All the wood trim will be refitted shortly and new carpets are being made.  The original leather seats have all been thoroughly cleaned and the leather fed with hide care.

On return from the paint shop

Fitting rear wings

Prior to fitting front wings

Fitting front wings 

Building up front screen 

Glass and handles fitted to doors

Front wings and grille in place

Close up of front grille

GRABER ALVIS

We have a Graber Alvis Sport Special (TC21) in the workshop for a few days.  The owner, unfortunately, bent the rear bumper while reversing so Ian has removed and straightened the bumper and it is being re-chromed at the moment.  In the meantime the owners really want to have the car back so Ian has made up a temporary "bumper" to keep the car safe and road legal so that the it can be collected tomorrow.  It will return to have its own bumper refitted once the chroming is finished.

Temporary bumper

1933 AUSTIN HEAVY 12/4

You may remember the on-going restoration we are undertaking on an Austin Heavy 12/4.  It is now back from the paint shop and we are starting to fit it back up.  The owners have chosen blue over black which looks fantastic.  The chrome is all away for re-plating at the moment but we have plenty of things to be getting on with in the meantime.  Ray has been working on fitting up the bulkhead, but first we needed to find something to replace the old boarding/fabric which lined it.  Following lengthy discussions we have found fire-proof boarding and some hessian like fabric which is being treated with fire-resistant spray to give the appearance of the original product (which is no longer available).

1939 AUSTIN BIG 7

We have certainly been extremely busy here in the workshop.  

The Austin Big 7 engine and gearbox rebuild was completed back in January ready to return to the customer for fitting however he decided that he would like us to fit them (he had removed them himself).  Ian went down to collect the car itself and was also given a list of other jobs our customer wanted us to carry out.  These included a re-wire and a suspension overhaul.  Our customer had an event he planned to attend this weekend (25/26 May) and was looking forward to getting the car back.  However, when the work was completed and we were able to road test the car there was a horrendous howl from the back axle - diff problems!  We tried the usual suppliers for parts but were not able to source many.  Luckily our customer had a contact who "might just have a back axle around".  A few phone calls later and the friend was delighted to have an excuse to come and visit us (something he had been wanting to do, apparently).  Fortunately we then had enough parts to make up a good back axle which is now fitted back into the car and as quiet as a mouse.  

The car is ready for collection by a delighted customer who will also drop in on his way home after his trip for a 500 mile oil change (following the rebuild) and check over.

ENGINE REBUILD:

Engine and gearbox arrives at MVE

Engine stripped down

New and original components
cleaned and ready to rebuild

Rebuild almost complete

Engine back in the car

GEARBOX REBUILD:

Stripping the gearbox

Bellhousing view- before

Ready for cleaning up and inspection

Starting to build back up

Building back up

Remaining parts for refitting

REWIRE:

When starting to fit the loom we were puzzled as to why some of the cables appeared to be the wrong length.  Upon further investigation it became clear that some of the electrical parts had been fitted in the wrong place on this car.  Once they were re-positioned correctly the cables reached without any problem.

Ready to start stripping cables

We were also asked to use this
opportunity to clean up the bulkhead

Instrument panel about to be rewired

Almost there!

Ready to go

FACEBOOK PAGE

Don't forget we have a Facebook page with loads of photographs.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Milford-Vintage-Engineering-Ltd/338238469549705?fref=ts

1937 AUSTIN 18/6

The Austin 18/6 'bus' re-wire has just been finished today and the overhaul of the running gear, brakes and steering are almost finished too.  We are now just waiting for the engine parts to come back from the machine shop so that the rebuild can be completed.    We then have a few last bits and pieces before the vehicle can return to its estate and the owner can enjoy using it for family picnics again.

Brakes before

Brakes after

Back of dash

Back of dash

The poor condition of the old wiring can be seen on the headlight