|
|
| Author |
Message |
mikeC
Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 1775
Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
|
 Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 7:47 pm Post subject: 1930 Morris Cowley |
 |
|
I've just taken delivery of a new addition to the family:
a 1930 Morris Cowley fixed-head saloon, one of the last with 'improved' steering and braking; my initial impressions are what the h**l were they like before the changes : the steering is incredibly heavy, and the brakes are about up to Austin Seven standards on a bad day 
Looks like there's a bit of fettling due  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22449
Location: UK
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NONORT
Joined: 26 Apr 2012
Posts: 55
Location: Southampton
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Hi just a thought. The Cowley that I drive has reasonable steering. It is on beaded edge tire's ie narrow ones and they are run at 50 psi. Just wondered if a bit more puff in the tire's would help. The brakes should be reasonable given the age of the car. If not try roughing up the brake linings and glaze bust the drums linings tend to got hard and glaze up if not used heavily now and again. the front and rear axle seal on a Cowley is a felt ring which if the car has had to much grease added to the bearing will get past the seal and into the drums both front and back. Nice clean car though hope to see you around at one of the BNMC club events. Well worth joining for the spare parts service alone. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mikeC
Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 1775
Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks, Nonort, for the feedback. I am comparing it with the 1922 Star which I ran until recently: like your Cowley on beaded edge tyres running at 70psi; that had beautifully light steering. The Cowley, on the other hand, is on 475x19 well based, and according to the official handbook, should be run on 24psi front, 28psi rear. Now that sounds very soft to me for a car weighing presumably around 20cwt, so I have upped them to 30/34 for starters: a slight improvement, but nothing like my memory of my old Austin 12/4 from many years ago - but then I had never experienced power steering back then  ...
As for the brakes, in terms of stopping power they are not too bad, but the pedal has a very long travel with a spongy feel, which is not what I would expect on a Vintage car any comments? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NONORT
Joined: 26 Apr 2012
Posts: 55
Location: Southampton
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The only thing that springs to mind is. if the shoes are well worn the cam action of the cams becomes less effective. It may pay to check how far the operating arm goes back if you disconnect a pull rod. An old bodge of years gone bye is to make shims to wrap around the ends of the brake shoe to effectively jack it out closer to the drum. either that or reline the brakes, very cheap if done through the BNMC hint hint. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22449
Location: UK
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cluley
Joined: 24 Oct 2011
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 12:54 am Post subject: Morris Cowley |
|
|
I have one of these 1931 model Flatnose Cowleys with the taller radiator which I have owned for 32 years. Mine has 5 doors, but is otherwise no different.
The rod braking system on mine is excellent and I have never found the steering to be particularly heavy. I would advise checking tyre pressures and greasing the steering. Front tyres I keep at around 34 PSI.
On the braking, I strongly suggest checking for leakage from the oil seals on the rear hubs into the brake drums. I had this problem many years ago and it did make the brakes less effective, though still far better than the Austin 7 that I had previously.[/i] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22449
Location: UK
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NONORT
Joined: 26 Apr 2012
Posts: 55
Location: Southampton
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Mike
By far the most reasonable supply of parts will come from The Bullnose Morris Club or Cooke of Leicester. No connection with either apart from being a club member of the former and a customer of the later. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22449
Location: UK
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7120
Location: Edinburgh
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 11:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
Probably teaching granny to suck eggs but it's most important that the levers on the brake shafts don't go past the 90 degree point when fully applied.
Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22449
Location: UK
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ocheye
Joined: 14 Apr 2014
Posts: 10
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I've just changed my tyres for Longstone 400/45 as my 'good' tyres hadn't been used for 35 years. I'm led to believe that they make a significant difference to the steering. The car isn't on the road yet so I can't vouch for them personally. However, pushing it around at home is significantly lighter. With the old tyres I had tennis elbow for weeks after manoevring it. The Chairman of the Bullnose Club and his daughter both use them and are very impressed |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mikeC
Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 1775
Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Rick wrote: | Hi MikeC, just thought I'd bounce this thread back up - how's life with the Cowley (assuming you still have it)?
RJ |
I've just caught up with this thread!
No, Rick, I have sold the Cowley; it proved a great disappointment; even after I had improved the performance greatly by resetting the advance it was still desperately slow, and just didn't inspire that little something that was needed... A shame, really, as it was in beautiful condition, it just wasn't for me.
I'm an Austin man at heart, so it looks like it's back to an Austin Seven next (unless something else jumps out and tempts me!).
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22449
Location: UK
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
