Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

geoffersgra · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Bristol. UK

This is my Riley Special.
I inherited it from my late Father who died suddenly before the car was finished. That was 12 years ago. The car has been stored since.
The car was originally a 1935 Falcon saloon that was a complete wreck. Dad worked on the car virtually full time after taking early retirement, he was an aircraft engineer and the car has been finished to a very high standard.
The car requires wiring & final engine assembly to get it going.
I was wondering if anyone out there is doing similar thing. I am no Riley expert so a helping hand would be appreciated.

Geoff Abraham
Bristol UK

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22472 Location: UK

Hi Geoff

Welcome to the forum Smile

there are several Riley owners around here I think, hopefully you'll get to hear from them in due course.

A chap who lives locally has a wonderful old Riley special that he bombs around in, I'll try and find a photo of it. I think it is similar to the TT Sprites of the 1930s.

Rick
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pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Welcome Geoff, What a cracking car. Shocked

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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22472 Location: UK

This is the car I mentioned that lives not far from here (Cheshire). The car your father built looks superb!

Rick
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euronerd · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Yorkshire

Lucky you, having inherited such a gem. The only thing I inherited from my dad was the book 'Riley Maintenance Manual 1930 - 1956', but it has wiring diagrams and engine assembly tips. This book, if you haven't already got it, is still in print, but you might need to join the Riley Register first. I can scan you the relevant diagram and stuff if you want.

Geoff.

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22472 Location: UK

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Ah I see, what else turned up? perhaps we should start a new thread, to save hijacking this one too much?

Cheers

Dave

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22472 Location: UK

Geoff, I found a wiring diagram for an early Riley 9 in a book just now, let me know if you want me to scan it in. It may not be exactly what you need, but it might be a starting point.

Rick
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geoffersgra · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Bristol. UK

Hi Rick & All

Thanks for the interest & comments. With regards to the wiring I have made a start using a Morris Minor diagram I know Dad was intending to use. My intention at this stage is to get the car running but not necessarily road legal so the wiring requirements for that are minimal. I have hit my first snag however, the voltage regulator I have is a Lucas RB340 which I assume is a modern solid state version of the original (no points to adjust) which does not have the same pin configuration & obviously function as the original. I have found a diagram for a 1968 MGB that uses a dynamo & the regulator I have so I may use that.
I'm sure there are some electrical experts out there who may be able to advise.
I will keep you posted as to the progress

Geoff

47Jag · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject:

Geoff,

The RB340 is not a solid state regulator. It's a very popular regulator from the 60/70s with three coils inside. One is the cut out and the other two are voltage and current regulators. These are in series with each other and provide the connection between the D & F terminals on the dynamo. The only drawback is that they should really be adjusted using a special tool which has a gear to turn the adjuster cam but the can also be by carefully grasping the cam with long nosed pliers. If you PM me I can scan you the procedure from a Jaguar MK II manual.

Art

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7125 Location: Edinburgh

Hi Geoff,

The RB340 is a very nice control box and much more intelligent than the old two spool varieties but do keep in out of sight as it's not really in period for that fabulous car of yours.

As to its connections they don't really differ that much from the older regulators. Here's the equivalence:

Old Style.......RB340
A & A1.............B
F.....................F
-.....................WL (This is for the ignition warning lamp)
D.....................D
E......................E

You just connect your warning lamp between the ignition switched supply
and the WL terminal on the RB340

Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

Nic Jarman · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:

What a lovely car. I hope you have it on the road for next spring/summer. Is that much fun legal?