Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Keith D]

Not a happy boy!

Set off in the Austin Seven yesterday morning (Sunday) to take part in an official convoy to celebrate the opening of a feeway extension to the north of Perth. (Our Perth, not yours!) I was ten minutes from the meeting place, bowling along happily at about 35-40 mph. Without any warning there was a terrific terminal screech out of the motor and everything locked up! I slammed my foot on the clutch and coasted into the side of the road. I was standing at the side of a very busy four lane highway scratching my head looking under the raised bonnet wearing 1920's gear! Plus fours, a flat hat and a ponsey bowtie! Never felt such a galah in my life!

Other Members of our Club collected me and the car and I enjoyed the day as a passenger in another Club car, and both my car and I were taken home safely afterwards. Now I have to suss out exactly what happened and how much damage there is. Both oil and water levels were full and the engine was not excessively hot, so perhaps my initial diagnoses of an engine seizure was a bit hasty. The engine has only travelled about 1000 miles since a very comprehensive and expensive recondition.

Guess what I'll be doing next weekend???!!!

Keith D

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I had a very upset face whilst reading your message, until you mentioned what you were wearing. I then cheered up, I mean I have been there when coming of the penny. I bet you were trying to hide behind your car!

Let us know what you find, I for one, hope it is not terminal!

Cheers

Dave

[emmerson]

In a similar vein, when I was a teenager I went to a rugby club fancy dress dance as a fairy. Yes, little pink tu-tu and all. Half way there I ran out of petrol, and had to walk. I'm sure you can picture the scene!

[Rick]

Hope its nothing too serious!! let us know what you find out

RJ
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[Keith D]

The baby Seven is happily running about again as if nothing happened.

I pulled the starter motor out as it was suggested that the bendix had come into mesh and was spinning over at about ten times the motor speed, hence the screeching. No, not the problem.

I pulled the head off and found four extremely healthy looking pistons and bores with a light sheen of oil. In fact everything as it should be.

I had fitted a new fan belt a few weeks earlier, and when checking the motor out, I found that it was incredibly tight. I removed it and found that the aluminium drive pulley (fits on the end of the camshaft on a '32 Seven) had a broken boss. (I presume caused by the very tight fanbelt) This was causing the screeching noise. What stopped the motor I have no idea. I have now fitted a new steel pulley and the correct size fan belt, put the car back together and she is running very well. The bottom end silent and smooth.

I am ashamed to admit that I have seem to have fixed the car, but I don't really know why it stopped!!!

Keith D