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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 1:19 am Post subject: What are Autolube plates? |
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In an advertisement for a MG PB project, there is mention that "even the Autolube plates are still with the car".
I am sure you chaps will know what these might be but in over 40 years of playing with old cars I have never heard of them...?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C641801 |
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mikeC

Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Posts: 1809 Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:34 am Post subject: |
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I've only come across the term autolube in connection with two-stroke engines, referring to, I think, a pre-mixed petrol/oil mixture. I didn't realise that pre-war MGs were ever fitted with two-stroke engines...  |
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Dipster
Joined: 06 Jan 2015 Posts: 408 Location: UK, France and Portugal - unless I am travelling....
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:46 am Post subject: |
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Perhaps the advertiser would know...... You could ask him. |
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47p2

Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 10:02 am Post subject: |
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Sounds like some sort of lubrication system for oiling kingpins shackles and other joints, similar to what Rover fitted to their cars _________________ ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars |
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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 10:06 am Post subject: |
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Thanks.
My guess is that it's a mistake.
The project looks too expensive for what it is so I will pass on it. |
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peter scott

Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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Autolube is a bit of a misnomer as it requires someone to operate a grease gun. It just places the nipples in a more convenient place. The MGs had a plate on each side.
Peter
 _________________ https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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Brilliant! Thanks Peter. I feel as if I have been living in a cave all my life.
Do you know if the system was reliable? and have many owners removed them? |
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peter scott

Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Ray,
I think they tended to clog up. Perhaps they were intended for oil rather than grease lubrication. I think most restored cars have the system just because it was original equipment.
Peter _________________ https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Peter. Yet again this forum is an education. |
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MVPeters

Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 822 Location: Northern MA, USA
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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peter scott wrote: | Hi Ray,
I think they tended to clog up. Perhaps they were intended for oil rather than grease lubrication. I think most restored cars have the system just because it was original equipment.
Peter |
It's a bit hard to make out, but the 3 grease things are labelled D E & F.
D = rear brake cable
E = front -"-
F = front & rear springs & the brake cross-shaft.
Instructions below refer to using gear oil every something-or-other miles.
I wonder where the ABC pipes went.
Edited to add - ABC were on the other side, same cables & springs plus the steering box. I still can't read the mileage! 500? _________________ Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S' |
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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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I think it's a lovely feature considering the Midget was a reasonably priced sports car. I have suggested swapping my Dodge for a friends TC project but I think the noisy engine (suspected bent con rod) has put him off. I don't recall seeing these 'autolube' plates though...perhaps they were discarded long ago or else hiding in a box of bits
I wished I had sold the Dodge yesterday when an unspoilt PB came on the market at a knock down price...it had gone by this morning!  |
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goneps
Joined: 18 Jun 2013 Posts: 601 Location: Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:10 am Post subject: |
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MVPeters wrote: | I still can't read the mileage! 500? |
500 seems most likely since that's the chassis lubrication interval specified for pre-war Morris cars. In the case of these cheaper models SAE140 oil was dispensed from the Enots oil gun supplied in the toolkit.
mikeC wrote: | I've only come across the term autolube in connection with two-stroke engines, referring to, I think, a pre-mixed petrol/oil mixture. I didn't realise that pre-war MGs were ever fitted with two-stroke engines...  |
As I recall, Autolube was the name coined by Yamaha for their two-stroke lubrication system introduced around the mid-'sixties. This did away with the tedious and haphazard business of putting oil in the petrol; instead the oil went into a separate tank and was pumped to critical points in the engine.
Suzuki had a similar system, but blowed if I can remember what they called it.
The early part of my chequered career was spent in the printing trade, and the German Roland litho machines I ran featured an extensive central lubrication system, operated by the push of a button.
Richard |
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MVPeters

Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 822 Location: Northern MA, USA
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Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:19 am Post subject: |
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Ray White wrote: | ................ I don't recall seeing these 'autolube' plates though...perhaps they were discarded long ago or else hiding in a box of bits .............: |
I assume the Autolube system was only on the early cable-braked cars. My 2nd car was a 1934 P-type, but with hydraulic Morris axles & a Ford engine. _________________ Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S' |
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Ray White

Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby
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Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:54 am Post subject: |
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That makes sense, Mike.
At this rate I will soon have a half decent education!  |
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alanb
Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 517 Location: Berkshire.
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Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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[I assume the Autolube system was only on the early cable-braked cars. My 2nd car was a 1934 P-type, but with hydraulic Morris axles & a Ford engine.]
I very much doubt they had ford engines, they were fitted with either the 847 or 939cc overhead cam cross flow engine from the Morris minor or wolseley 10. _________________ old tourer
Morris 8 two seater |
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