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

1933 AUSTIN HEAVY 12/4

Work is continuing on the Austin Heavy 12/4.  The engine has been stripped and some parts are away for machining.  In the meantime the back axle has been stripped and rebuilt, the king pins have been stripped and refurbished, new hub bearings fitted and the brake shoes are relined and in the process of being fitted.  The chassis has been rubbed down to remove all the corrosion and is now repainted using a rust-inhibiting primer and two coats of black.



Work about to begin on the chassis



Painted in rust-inhibiting primer




Final coats have been applied




Ian and Raymond inspect the rear
axle parts prior to building it back up

 

Rear axle now refurbished





Backplate, king pin, brake shoes and
stub axle being stripped



Following refurbishment the backplate,
king pin and stub axle are built up and
await fitting of the brake shoes



A BRACE OF JAGUAR E-TYPES

The two Jaguar E-types we were working on late last year/early this year are both back in for a return visit. 

The V12 commemorative one (black) is having an end of season service and MOT work including changing the steering rack which has developed a leak over this season.

The blue 4.2 series 2 is having an SU carburettor conversion together with a higher ratio diff to improve performance.

Derby Bentley 3 1/2

We have a second Derby Bentley in the workshop at the moment for a major service, modifications to the floor for easy access to the dipstick and gearbox filler and work on the diff.

Sludge in the centre of the diff



Wear on the brake shafts
(these have now been metal sprayed and machined
back to the correct size)



Diff parts ready for rebuild showing the new bearings
fitted into their housing

Diff ready to take bearing housing