Classic Car restoration - what are you working on?

Foxycafc

Surprised there’s never been a thread for this. Anyone doing up any classic cars atm?

I’m trying to get my mums Austin A30 running again for the first time in 20ish years. Unfortunately, the petrol tank is fucked and so if I do, I’ll only be sucking rust into the filter. Since replacing the tank is expensive and time-consuming, I made my new project to try and get the electrics working.

Step one, since we love clutter in our family, is to de-table-ify the poor thing, so I could open the bonnet. After spending ages scouring the manual for potential problems with the electrical system, it didn’t take me long to diagnose the issue. Where the fuck is the battery? 😂

Will update in due course....

DaveMehmet

Make sure you don't just fire it up when the fuel system (including replacing all the lines) is sorted. Put some oil down the bores before trying to rotate the engine by hand to make sure it isn't seized. 

I'll shortly be replacing the track rod ends on my MGB, touch wood, everything else seems fine mechanically. Might think about having the paintwork mopped as well if it's thick enough.

IdleHans

A30 was the first car my mum had, little ivory coloured thing with red vinyl seats and a crank start.
When that went for scrap, she got an A40 then a Morris 1100, which became my first car. My father dictated the automobile choices so almost the first thing she did after they split was buy a Ford.

usetobunkin

When mucking around on old cars electrically some can be positive earth. Also I remember having to adjust the regulator box for my National Craftsman examine back in the early 70,s

jonseventyfive

Is running yet ?, quick tidy up will do it.

Foxycafc

jonseventyfive said:

Is running yet ?, quick tidy up will do it.

Gonna be a long term project unfortunately. Currently charging up a car battery I found in the garage.

AFKABartram

What are you, 16??

Shouldn’t you instead of restoring classic cars be petty shoplifting, sniffing glue and searching out porn mags in bushes?

kids of today, eh?

Foxycafc

AFKABartram said:

What are you, 16??

Shouldn’t you instead of restoring classic cars be petty shoplifting, sniffing glue and searching out porn mags in bushes?

kids of today, eh?

Who said you can't do both haha

Billy_Mix

after you've checked the motor ain't seized, replaced the oil and all the ignition consumables, rig up a bottle with some fresh juice in it as a stand in fuel tank
dizzys plugs and leads for all those A series installations are cheap and plentiful

our current projects include a K-series install to a 73 MGBGT

and a Rover P5B restomod

both timeframes in years rather than months

jonseventyfive

Foxycafc said:

jonseventyfive said:

Is running yet ?, quick tidy up will do it.

Gonna be a long term project unfortunately. Currently charging up a car battery I found in the garage.

Best of luck, that first drive will be magic.

man_at_milletts

You've got an AA badge there, can't you call them out?

cafcnick1992

Petrol tanks are a pig of a job, but I do find that your enthusiam to continue will be lifted by having a running car. 

I owned an old '85 GMC 2500 truck last year (known as the 'Squarebody' over here) and had to replace the tank on that. Having to unscrew bolts that have basically rusted into the frame is so frustrating.

IdleHans

Billy_Mix said:

after you've checked the motor ain't seized, replaced the oil and all the ignition consumables, rig up a bottle with some fresh juice in it as a stand in fuel tank
dizzys plugs and leads for all those A series installations are cheap and plentiful

our current projects include a K-series install to a 73 MGBGT

and a Rover P5B restomod

both timeframes in years rather than months

Always love the look of these, especially the coupé. Nearest i got was coming back from a boys' club camping week in a P4, which is a proper Miss Marple of a car.

Gisappointed

Foxycafc said:

Surprised there’s never been a thread for this. Anyone doing up any classic cars atm?

I’m trying to get my mums Austin A30 running again for the first time in 20ish years. Unfortunately, the petrol tank is fucked and so if I do, I’ll only be sucking rust into the filter. Since replacing the tank is expensive and time-consuming, I made my new project to try and get the electrics working.

Step one, since we love clutter in our family, is to de-table-ify the poor thing, so I could open the bonnet. After spending ages scouring the manual for potential problems with the electrical system, it didn’t take me long to diagnose the issue. Where the fuck is the battery? 😂

Will update in due course....

A bit of welding on the fuel  tank and it should be fine!

MuttleyCAFC

Good luck with this project. Saw these online which you probably already know about. https://www.austina30a35parts.co.uk/

tangoflash

Parts are a huge problem in the UK. In the U.S, you want a part for a 60 year old car, you'll easily find new parts. In the UK you struggle with anything more than 20 years old.

Gisappointed

tangoflash said:

Parts are a huge problem in the UK. In the U.S, you want a part for a 60 year old car, you'll easily find new parts. In the UK you struggle with anything more than 20 years old.

Have you tried Moss? Several branches. Certainly should have engine parts, as its 'A' series.

Gisappointed

Foxycafc said:

Surprised there’s never been a thread for this. Anyone doing up any classic cars atm?

I’m trying to get my mums Austin A30 running again for the first time in 20ish years. Unfortunately, the petrol tank is fucked and so if I do, I’ll only be sucking rust into the filter. Since replacing the tank is expensive and time-consuming, I made my new project to try and get the electrics working.

Step one, since we love clutter in our family, is to de-table-ify the poor thing, so I could open the bonnet. After spending ages scouring the manual for potential problems with the electrical system, it didn’t take me long to diagnose the issue. Where the fuck is the battery? 😂

Will update in due course....

I could be wrong but I believe Morris Minors didnt have an earth, but were wired +ive and -ive, or at least bizarre double wiring not normal in later cars. Beware if A30 is the same. Don't wire up electrics wrong, as I've found to my cost this year (about £1500).

Foxycafc

Gisappointed said:

Foxycafc said:

Surprised there’s never been a thread for this. Anyone doing up any classic cars atm?

I’m trying to get my mums Austin A30 running again for the first time in 20ish years. Unfortunately, the petrol tank is fucked and so if I do, I’ll only be sucking rust into the filter. Since replacing the tank is expensive and time-consuming, I made my new project to try and get the electrics working.

Step one, since we love clutter in our family, is to de-table-ify the poor thing, so I could open the bonnet. After spending ages scouring the manual for potential problems with the electrical system, it didn’t take me long to diagnose the issue. Where the fuck is the battery? 😂

Will update in due course....

I could be wrong but I believe Morris Minors didnt have an earth, but were wired +ive and -ive. Beware if A30 is the same. Don't wire up electrics wrong, as I've found to my cost this year (about £1500).

Looking at the wiring diagrams, this A30 is wired positive to earth.

DaveMehmet

tangoflash said:

Parts are a huge problem in the UK. In the U.S, you want a part for a 60 year old car, you'll easily find new parts. In the UK you struggle with anything more than 20 years old.

Parts aren’t a problem for most mainstream classics but the quality of them are. So many cheap parts from China and the far east are awful, especially anything electrical 

CatfordCat

best of luck with it.

also probably stating the obvious, but there is an Austin A30 / A35 owners' club, website includes a forum - these things can be useful for seeking parts / sources of parts and advice etc.

Gisappointed

Would be a great car with a 1275 engine, twin choke Weber, HL cam, (manifolds perhaps expensive) electronic ignition, minilites and (Mini) discs on the front. I dont think cost would be prohibitive if you did most yourself (easy-peasy).

I also like eyelids on headlights and the sun visor over the windshield. Tweaks to suspension could wait.

Billy_Mix

Gisappointed said:

Would be a great car with a 1275 engine, twin choke Weber, HL cam, (manifolds perhaps expensive) electronic ignition, minilites and (Mini) discs on the front. I dont think cost would be prohibitive if you did most yourself (easy-peasy).

I also like eyelids on headlights and the sun visor over the windshield. Tweaks to suspension could wait.

doubling the engine output as your modifications would easily achieve without attending to the springs, dampers and an anti-roll bar would be irresponsible in the extreme
these old trundlers don't turn or stop that well as standard, let alone at modern road speeds

DaveMehmet

Gisappointed said:

Would be a great car with a 1275 engine, twin choke Weber, HL cam, (manifolds perhaps expensive) electronic ignition, minilites and (Mini) discs on the front. I dont think cost would be prohibitive if you did most yourself (easy-peasy).

I also like eyelids on headlights and the sun visor over the windshield. Tweaks to suspension could wait.

Suspension and brakes would need to be upgraded before you even thought about engine work. As you say though, most of it is well within the capability of a home mechanic and parts are readily available.

I added gas dampers at the rear of mine along with new springs which has made a big difference to way it drives, for start, it can handle speed humps at more than 3 mph now.

I had the head upgraded when it was fitted with unleaded seats and changed to K&N pancake filters with slightly richer needles in the carbs. I don't tear about in it at all but it's made it much nicer to drive.

Gisappointed

Discs I mentioned and the rest are mainly available 2nd hand so budget. 

Once you get into shocks, 5 speed g/box and other tweaks - you are talking new, re-engineering and money.

Most trips are on straight roads so thats why I put suspension at the bottom of list.

cafcnick1992

tangoflash said:

Parts are a huge problem in the UK. In the U.S, you want a part for a 60 year old car, you'll easily find new parts. In the UK you struggle with anything more than 20 years old.

It's crazy actually - you can walk into any auto parts store and ask for a fuel pump for a truck made in the 70s, and they just go and grab it off the shelf.

Stuart_the_Red

Not really in the same category, but I used to enjoy messing about with my 1990 SL. Before the great onslaught of electronics and having to have a degree in electromechanical engineering to be able to open the bonnet:

Pelling1993

Gisappointed said:

tangoflash said:

Parts are a huge problem in the UK. In the U.S, you want a part for a 60 year old car, you'll easily find new parts. In the UK you struggle with anything more than 20 years old.

Have you tried Moss? Several branches. Certainly should have engine parts, as its 'A' series.

I didn't realise they made suits big enough for cars! 

red10

1970 boat tail spider, had it for about 15+ years, restored around 2012 but never got round to using it much so got rid a few years ago as it was only going to go downhill in the garage. Ironically I sold it back to the person I bought it from. Very pretty car.

SE7toSG3

I bought this MGB off my niece, my Great Uncle Len had owned it since 1972 and drove every day, it was garaged for 8 years after he passed away and she wanted to sell it, so I bought it to keep it in the family and it's now back on the road and being used daily, lovely to drive and nice being only the 2nd keeper on the log book.  

DaveMehmet

SE7toSG3 said:

I bought this MGB off my niece, my Great Uncle Len had owned it since 1972 and drove every day, it was garaged for 8 years after he passed away and she wanted to sell it, so I bought it to keep it in the family and it's now back on the road and being used daily, lovely to drive and nice being only the 2nd keeper on the log book.  

We’ve still got to get around to organising that drive out mate.