2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

For now, I lumped all the pre-war cars together, I would LOVE for there to be enough demand to split it into groups (hint...hint, post here about your pre-war Singer)
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mikeyr
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2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by mikeyr »

Board seems dead so lets post useless trivia :)

On my 1.5 a previous owner really butchered the oil pan mounting studs, broke 5 or 6 of them and replaced 4 of them with wood screws, yes wood screws. Luckily this weekend I was able to remove 2 of the broken studs and there is NO damage to the threads in the block, one more to go. Unfortunately, the 1/2 one he drilled into the broken stud at a angle and into the block, so that one will need something done. The others he used bolts on, so no damage.

Tonight I will work on the last broken, its in a tough location by the bell housing and then some kind of repair on the crooked one...oil pan goes on this weekend.

New distributor advance parts have been created and those will go on also, that will take some time to get right but I might try and fire it this weekend and see how bad the cracks in the block really are.
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Peter McKercher
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by Peter McKercher »

Yay, progress Mike.

I too have been working on the LM. Rad shell is in for rechroming (ouch) and I completed the new wire mesh for the front of it. It too is in for chroming. I also cut the new dash. I had been looking for a nice piece of Walnut but was unable to find a single board wide enough (9 3/8") to do it in one piece. I was out at my favourite wood shop last week and found a piece of Brazilian Walnut exactly the right width. The dash is now cut and in the process of finishing.
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mothy
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by mothy »

> and replaced 4 of them with wood screws, yes wood screws.

Love it! I once had a 4 Litre R Vanden Plas Princess. The Rolls Royce engine finally gave more problem than it was worth due to failing hydraulic tappets (replaced three times). So implanted a Wolseley 3 litre engine. Suffice to say that it was not a worthwhile project, but the wood screws were the easy part in holding up the back of the gearbox to the body.

The RR engine was abandoned in a victorian greenhouse. 20 years later after the occupant of that house went to join "The Great Majority", someone in the RR club got wind of this engine and travelled up from the other side of the country to take a look. I would love to have seen their expression when they discovered the modern day RR commercial engine rather than a Silver Ghost jobbie.....

The Norton 500 I know that had one of its pistons fashioned out of oak is another tale. It ran for considerable miles before being sold.

Roly
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Used to own a 1934 Singer Le Mans

Beer: So much more than just a breakfast drink.
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by mikeyr »

more useless ramblings...

got the other ones out last night...kind of, the one that was drilled crooked and into the block is beyond repair, I was going to put in a larger stud or a insert but I can just make that one a bolt since I have access to the top. Tonight is gasket making time and then I have to figure out what to do for the oil pickup filter, there was none and I assume there should be one, so I have to make something there and then put the oil pan back on.
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1953 Singer 4ADT (sold), 1934 Singer 9 Le Mans, 1934 Singer 1 1/2 4-Seater Sports (sold), 2009 BMW K1300GT
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by mikeyr »

success ! Got the half broken half drilled stud that had a wood screw out and found that while it was crooked it did not break through the threads until near the top, I have good material for putting a stud in. Ordered the studs today, they will be here next week so I am off my fantasy of trying to start it this weekend.

I need to find the wire mesh (wire cloth) for the oil pump pickup, there was none when I got the car, trying to figure out the size of the mesh (# of holes per inch) that I should use and will order that up also.

This weekend will be spent getting enough wiring to fire it up and clean up the carbs.

Come on everyone, play along and post useless Singer drivel also.
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1953 Singer 4ADT (sold), 1934 Singer 9 Le Mans, 1934 Singer 1 1/2 4-Seater Sports (sold), 2009 BMW K1300GT
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Mark Thompson
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by Mark Thompson »

Mike,

I admit that I know nothing about pre-war Singers, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents worth. If you think the mesh filters on the 4ADs will work, I may be able to help. When I rebuilt my 4AD engine recently, I replaced the filter on the oil pump pickup for the SM 1500 engine. I made a couple of spares as well. If you think that filter configuration will work, I can send you one. I did research the mesh size, via Bill Haverly, and did find the proper mesh size. I will have to check at home and I can supply you with the information and my source for it. If you need a small piece, I may even have some
left over. Let me know, if I can help.

Best Regards and Good Luck!

Mark Thompson
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by mikeyr »

Good idea...it may fit. I am work right now but I think the 4AD one would be too small, its been years since I had a 4AD motor apart but I seem to remember it being smaller than the 1.5's, I will check tonight. The mesh itself would be great, where did you buy it and what size mesh was it (# of holes per sq. inch) ?
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1953 Singer 4ADT (sold), 1934 Singer 9 Le Mans, 1934 Singer 1 1/2 4-Seater Sports (sold), 2009 BMW K1300GT
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by indian301 »

Mike,

Pertaining to the cracks in the block. When I used to drag race I used to concrete the lower half of the block for strength. Obviously I was only running a 1/4 mile at a time so overheating was never a problem. Depending on where the cracks are you could possibly concrete the block up to the freeze plugs. Doing this would allow the flow of water to continue through the upper part of the block and cylinder head. Maybe if you are really lucky not affect the cooling of the motor. I know that Moroso sells a kit.


Dave :mrgreen:
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Mark Thompson
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by Mark Thompson »

Mike,

I checked the mesh size and it is 30 x 30 mesh with 0.012" wire. I used stainless steel (304) and got it from Grainger. http://www.grainger.com, Item # 3DNF5, 12" x 12" for $3.12.

Hope this helps,

Mark Thompson
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by mikeyr »

perfect, I measured my Sprites mesh tonight and it was 24 per inch, but the Le Mans screen was 32 holes per inch, 30 is good enough for me, I placed the order it will delay starting the motor a few days but worth it. Thanks !
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1953 Singer 4ADT (sold), 1934 Singer 9 Le Mans, 1934 Singer 1 1/2 4-Seater Sports (sold), 2009 BMW K1300GT
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by mikeyr »

all parts ordered, new studs, wire mesh, gasket is already made. So...its YOUR turn to post something until I get the parts next week.
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1953 Singer 4ADT (sold), 1934 Singer 9 Le Mans, 1934 Singer 1 1/2 4-Seater Sports (sold), 2009 BMW K1300GT
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Re: 2 Down, 1 1/2 to go

Post by Peter McKercher »

Just dashing outside to strip my Le Mans gas tank in preparation for pressure test and prep for paint. To my delight the inside of the tank is pretty much spotless. While it certainly appears to be the original (with embossed X's on either side), I find it hard to understand that it isn't covered in scale unless it was replaced with another at some point in its history. One of those all too infrequent spots of good luck in a restoration. Wire mesh sides are completed and chromed as are the dome nuts, tank straps, quick release cap and reservoir tap.
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Author of "Racing Roadsters"

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