Austin Seven cylinder block

Spent time in the Workshop instead of the Carport in September as the heat and humidity made working on the Austin Seven body parts uncomfortable to say the least.

Mounted the lathe and dividing head chucks, that had been gathering dust since 2006, onto base plates then time to work on the Austin Seven cylinder block:

1. Valve grinding

Last time I did any was int the '70 when I was racing at the original Kyalami GP circuit, bringing back lots of memories plus things I had forgotten

2. Machining flat surface

clamped the Austin Seven cylinder block onto the Marlow table and machind the surfaces where the exhaust/inlet and water inlet manifolds bolt to.

Something was most definitely wrong with the way the flycutter behaved so that was soon replaced with collet and end mill.
Afterwards a session of draw filing on the machined surfaces revealed all nice and flat, and doing the same on the cylinder head and block mating surfaces showed they where flat as well.
The inlet ports have a nasty 90° bend on the short side, as they head upwards to the valve heads, so they need blending.
Anything to get the mixture to flow better will help.

Geoff - Back to body parts.

Edited By OuBallie on 21/10/2016 10:58:17

Edited By OuBallie on 21/10/2016 10:58:45

No need to add anything except that it's been made and working a treat.

Geoff - Video of the item in action being edited.

Cambelt locking tool ? Oh hang on....

For Geoff - new "H" format TV aerial for BBC on a 405 line Pye TV ??
BobH

You know the suspense is killing us.

"The inlet ports have a nasty 90° bend on the short side, as they head upwards to the valve heads, so they need blending.
Anything to get the mixture to flow better will help."

Geoff, that takes me back 60 years to hours spent with an HSS burr in a 1/4" drill smoothing the inlet passages on that lovely little engine in a "750 Special".

Yes

Hacksaw,

The Austin has absolutely no idea what you mean.

BobH,

I stopped watching all TV years ago and do not miss it at all.

Robbo,

You reading my mind per chance?

I did exactly the same as you on my Anglia and Cortina engines in my racing 105E, where the metal bodied drilling machine became too hot to hold.

Took me hours, but so satisfying.

Geoff - All will be revealed soon.

I read a book a while ago .. was it called Building and racing my 750 ? And a more heavyweight Seven special building book ,but i can think of the title ,it's upstairs somewhere...

Is it for chassis extensions ?

I love that word chassis !

!

Hacksaw,

Nope.

All will be revealed soon, but don't hold your breath.

Geoff - I think everyone knows all about my work rate and how I get sidetracked.

I am thinking it might be a stand for working on the engine.

Phil

I'm thinking the framework is to assist in positioning/installing the Head when the Engine block is in the car?.

I also remember spending ages grinding, polishing Ports and Chambers on 'A' Series Mini Cooper Heads. Used to call it 'Gas Flowing'. Always a challenge checking/balancing the Chamber volumes. Patience was a virtue!.

Richard, the head is so light that it just slides down on the studs. I used to lift out the engine and gearbox in one piece without a hoist - not sure I could do that now though.

Geoff what have you done to the 3rd manifold stud from the front ???
BobH

It's a replacement chassis out of heavier gauge angle than the original A7 one

Neil

Fair enough , I have problems fitting 6" 4 Jaw Chuck nowadays. My time of lifting weighty objects are also long gone ................ I can manage a Pint though!.

I'm glad to see you have your priorities correct.

Keep the guesses flowing

One is hinting on its usage.

BobH,

As received.

Obviously threads in the block stripped, so re-tapped and a stepped stud fitted, all standard procedure with parts available off-the-shelf from suppliers.

About to be sidetracked by investigating induction heater for persuading rusted/stuck fasteners to bahave.

Geoff - Finish editing the video first though.

Suspense nearly over.

Video being uploaded to YouTube right now, so expect a post shortly with link.

Geoff - Next one of the Sandblasting Cabinet mods.

I've given up on getting the video onto YouTube as upload speeds are 3rd World rate at 0.56-0.62Mbps.

Those are ZEROES/ZEROS!

I've sent an email complaining, but may now need to look for an alternative Broadband, suggestions please.

Geoff - Worn out after 4 hours with 5year old at a birthday party, manic doesn't adequately describe their energy.

Geoff,

​I'll happily share a little tip I was given years ago to ensure mutually flat surfaces between cast iron cylinder blocks and heads to ease the job of sealing for the gasket. Machining is part of the job of course but finishing the surfaces makes a huge difference.

​Lap the two components together with an oscillating and rotary action, turning the head by 180 degrees from time to time. Using fine grinding paste, you will soon get down to a nice matt grey surface on the surfaces that are flat to each other. Obviously take care to clean up afterwards.

I did this to my old Landrover after a full engine overhaul and never found it necessary to re-torque the cylinder head bolts after bedding it in afterwards

Regards Brian