HMC 12/4 under the floorboards

[DodgeRover]

On 23/03/2025 at 13:11, Matty said:

That's my thoughts. Twin SU B and od box. Uprated suspension but standard ride height. Wider steels and hub caps. 

I'll not lie I'm pretty turned on right now 😂

There's a supercharged one being built on the build restore modify forum - was on retro rides previously.

[Matty]

1 hour ago, DodgeRover said:

There's a supercharged one being built on the build restore modify forum - was on retro rides previously.

Bit beyond me. I can nail an engine together. The further maths of calculating the required to put forced induction on an old lump, the compression ratios needed to avoid any explosion etc is beyond the pay grade of a mere mechanical fitter 🤣

[DodgeRover]

13 minutes ago, Matty said:

Bit beyond me. I can nail an engine together. The further maths of calculating the required to put forced induction on an old lump, the compression ratios needed to avoid any explosion etc is beyond the pay grade of a mere mechanical fitter 🤣

It's a tough old lump, bolt bits on and fix when it breaks.

[Matty]

7 minutes ago, DodgeRover said:

It's a tough old lump, bolt bits on and fix when it breaks.

True. Already doing that with an A series.

[dave j]

Were you out in the Maserati in Plymouth today? If so I saw you by woolwell roundabout! I was in the Audi coupe. 

[HMC]

8 hours ago, dave j said:

Were you out in the Maserati in Plymouth today? If so I saw you by woolwell roundabout! I was in the Audi coupe. 

Yes that was me!

[barefoot]

Starting handle tips: I was taught that you should shuffle the thing around until it's engaged, and then give it a really hefty pull up. Apparently you should never push it down, lest it backfire and smack you in the mouth. It's all a long time ago and there's the merest possibility that I could be completely wrong.

[DSdriver]

23 hours ago, HMC said:

2 weeks to go untill we go to france in the austin 12/4. Taking it up to exmoor for the VSCC trial was a pretty good shakedown (in all senses!) and the 12/4 did good. As the (only?) book on the subject agrees….

But occasionally the starter misbehaved, and theres been a noticable coolant leak. Herbert Austin would not approve.

To investigate the former, i had a look….

The terminal to the starter was bent and partly pressing onto the body of the starter, and the terminal was a bit corroded.  I took it to bits, cleaned and straightened the (brass?) connector and made sure it wasnt touching on the body of it. (photo after)

Interesting the handbrake is very strong,

presumably because the linkage is as simple as can be. It looks like theres a weep from the drain tap. 

Meanwhile the water leak is from a seal where the shaft goes in the drive the water pump. Apparently TADDS to a degree even when new. Ive decided to ive with the slight weep for now.

Road test showed the starter cranks better and reliably. Ive got a handle too (but need to practice) plus french gravity, and children to push if necessary 😂

I decided to go and extend the test route to a local wine merchants to celebrate.

 

 

 

Your car has "Flintstone Mode" 😃

[lesapandre]

2 hours ago, barefoot said:

Starting handle tips: I was taught that you should shuffle the thing around until it's engaged, and then give it a really hefty pull up. Apparently you should never push it down, lest it backfire and smack you in the mouth. It's all a long time ago and there's the merest possibility that I could be completely wrong.

And mind your thumbs. There is a technique. It will be online somewhere.