New Project
Re: New Project
I took the tank off, stiffened up the body with extra timber and hauled it off with the engine hoist. My muscle power had the 'flu and didn't turn up! I am almost at the point when I can start restoring rather than tearing it down. I looked into the gearbox and it all seemed very clean. Straight-cut gears will make the most of the available power. Next step is removal of the engine and gearbox followed by a good pressure-wash of the chassis.
Re: New Project
Engine out and chassis given a good old blast with the pressure washer. The engine has a patch as you can see, presumably frost damage. I'll have to see if this is water tight before any significant rebuild begins. Still feels good - hopefully I can get the axles and springs off over Christmas although I am cooking the full works on Monday for 'Er Indoors so will need to put in a bit of time in the kitchen with clean hands.
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas. Best seasonal wishes
Colin
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas. Best seasonal wishes
Colin
Re: New Project
That patch is surely into the crankcase rather than the water jacket? It looks like it's thrown a conrod at some time in the past, but the patch should prove oil-tight.
1914 Saxon Model A; 1930 Morris Cowley; 1931 Austin Seven; 1953 Lancia Appia; 1967 Singer Chamois
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Yes you are right of course Mike.
Re: New Project
Boxing day, no jobs in the kitchen, so I took the rear axle off. I think the rear hangers will need to be remade but I have patterns in the pieces I have recovered. I have sprayed WD40 on the 'U' bolt nuts and I hope to get them off tomorrow so I can separate the springs from the axle. I am pretty sure the rear springs will have to be replaced so I will plan a trip to Jones' Springs in the new year.
Re: New Project
Hi Colin,
Probably better to have replied here! Photo of the bits attached
Bill Coates (UKSOC)
Probably better to have replied here! Photo of the bits attached
Bill Coates (UKSOC)
Re: New Project
I had a really nice visit yesterday from Rob Roan and Colin Borley. Rob's project is very similar (see his posts on here) and Colin is an expert on all things to do with vintage Singers - its a real boost to have such great people living and working so close to Parson Drove!
My chassis is now stripped down and I'll do some serious pre-paint preparation tomorrow. The suspension bushes were all shot and I had to use a club hammer to get them out so they will have to be re-made. Rob's father-in-law is pretty handy on the lathe so I can see me making a trip over to Peterborough to discuss replacements.
My short term plan is to get the chassis painted and restore and re-fit the various parts I have taken off. I will have to get specialist advice on the rear springs as there is a broken leaf, but I can restore the front ones myself. Once the axles and hubs have been seen to I can reassemble the rolling chassis and focus on the engine, which only needs a paint so far as I can see.
My chassis is now stripped down and I'll do some serious pre-paint preparation tomorrow. The suspension bushes were all shot and I had to use a club hammer to get them out so they will have to be re-made. Rob's father-in-law is pretty handy on the lathe so I can see me making a trip over to Peterborough to discuss replacements.
My short term plan is to get the chassis painted and restore and re-fit the various parts I have taken off. I will have to get specialist advice on the rear springs as there is a broken leaf, but I can restore the front ones myself. Once the axles and hubs have been seen to I can reassemble the rolling chassis and focus on the engine, which only needs a paint so far as I can see.
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Thanks for the pictures Bill. I don't remember the question but I certainly recognise the parts!
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If they are of use to you...£10 for the lot? I have PayPal
Happy New year
Happy New year
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Original press photo for sale on eBay...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Singer-Saloo ... Sw-RRXC5ya
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Hi Colin,
Once again, your enthusiasm and drive are great to witness.
It's fantastic, and inspiring, to see how much you're able to get done in such short order. Clearly the car is a worthy and wonderful candidate.
Keep us posted. There are so many in your part of the world that need your touch!
Very Best,
David
Once again, your enthusiasm and drive are great to witness.
It's fantastic, and inspiring, to see how much you're able to get done in such short order. Clearly the car is a worthy and wonderful candidate.
Keep us posted. There are so many in your part of the world that need your touch!
Very Best,
David
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Thanks for the kind messages, it is always encouraging. I'm going to paint the chassis today but I thought I would update you on what I have discovered about her history some of which is in the ASCO magazine this month.
The second buff logbook notes she was owned by Mr Edward Gillhespy in July 1948 and she passed to a Mr Easton at an unknown date. She was sold at auction by Sotheby’s on 27th August 1979 as a restoration project. The purchaser was a Mr WM Kerr of Dunchurch who paid £350 for her. Mr Kerr owned a garage and kept her for around a year. During that time he had the bearings white metalled and installed new pistons and rings. I think he also had the head heavily skimmed. I have contacted the next owner, Mr Geoffrey Rudd, who bought her in 1980 from Mr Kerr and kept her for 34 years under cover until John Sampson bought her from him in May 2014 for £2,500. Neither John nor Geoffrey did any serious work but she was at least saved from further deterioration. John passed her to me for the same price he paid Geoff Rudd.
I have just sent the V5 back to DVLA to have her classified as 'Historic' as she was previously 'Unclassifed'. Fortunately the DVLA records show her date of registration as 1931 so there is no proof of authenticity required.
The second buff logbook notes she was owned by Mr Edward Gillhespy in July 1948 and she passed to a Mr Easton at an unknown date. She was sold at auction by Sotheby’s on 27th August 1979 as a restoration project. The purchaser was a Mr WM Kerr of Dunchurch who paid £350 for her. Mr Kerr owned a garage and kept her for around a year. During that time he had the bearings white metalled and installed new pistons and rings. I think he also had the head heavily skimmed. I have contacted the next owner, Mr Geoffrey Rudd, who bought her in 1980 from Mr Kerr and kept her for 34 years under cover until John Sampson bought her from him in May 2014 for £2,500. Neither John nor Geoffrey did any serious work but she was at least saved from further deterioration. John passed her to me for the same price he paid Geoff Rudd.
I have just sent the V5 back to DVLA to have her classified as 'Historic' as she was previously 'Unclassifed'. Fortunately the DVLA records show her date of registration as 1931 so there is no proof of authenticity required.
Re: New Project
First paint on! Feels like real progress .
I gave her a final pressure wash yesterday then brushed on a rust-inhibiting primer today first on the top surface then I turned the chassis over and painted the bottom. Much easier than crawling underneath! I will do a black top coat tomorrow. I plan to make up a mop out of rags and some rope that I can soak in paint and pull through the large tubular member to offer some internal protection. It seems to be a bit of a design flaw as it has to have a 'sump' in the middle to clear the prop shaft but there is no drainage hole.
I have sent you an email about the parts by the way Bill - yes please I would like to have them.
I gave her a final pressure wash yesterday then brushed on a rust-inhibiting primer today first on the top surface then I turned the chassis over and painted the bottom. Much easier than crawling underneath! I will do a black top coat tomorrow. I plan to make up a mop out of rags and some rope that I can soak in paint and pull through the large tubular member to offer some internal protection. It seems to be a bit of a design flaw as it has to have a 'sump' in the middle to clear the prop shaft but there is no drainage hole.
I have sent you an email about the parts by the way Bill - yes please I would like to have them.
Re: New Project
Black paint on. Its probably not great as its cold and very dark in the barn but I couldn't wait. I also took the worst of the front springs to pieces and brushed off the corrosion. There is some pitting but I think it will be serviceable when reassembled with new bolts and some graphite grease. Back in the vice the leaves seem to come together pretty well.
One tip I got from 'The Restoration of Vintage and Thoroughbred Cars' was to check whether the springs are symmetrical: they aren't, being about 2" longer behind the front axle. I'm glad I checked as it would have thrown everything out to put them back the wrong way round! There is also a wedge placed beneath each spring the purpose of which I'm puzzling over. I don't think these are original as they are made of aluminium and are fairly crudely fashioned so I may not re-fit them.
One tip I got from 'The Restoration of Vintage and Thoroughbred Cars' was to check whether the springs are symmetrical: they aren't, being about 2" longer behind the front axle. I'm glad I checked as it would have thrown everything out to put them back the wrong way round! There is also a wedge placed beneath each spring the purpose of which I'm puzzling over. I don't think these are original as they are made of aluminium and are fairly crudely fashioned so I may not re-fit them.
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The book I mentioned is a very useful reference. It advises that if the castor angle needs adjustment small wedges can be made to fit between the spring and the front axle. So my mystery aluminium parts were presumably added by a previous owner to change the angle by tipping the axle slightly forward. I think I'll leave them out for the time being.
By the way I have just checked the paint job with a torch and it's terrible .! I'll do a further coat slightly thinned in the morning.
By the way I have just checked the paint job with a torch and it's terrible .! I'll do a further coat slightly thinned in the morning.