803 cc 1955 Performance

[bmcecosse]

David - we are only yanking your chain...... I too would keep that car as original as possible - however I do think the 'flashers' are a step too far.....

[David53]

Yes I thought long and hard about adding flashing indicators and in the end decided that it was safer in heavy traffic to have them. Most motorists today don't recognize a trafficator as a turn signal and it's worth the lack if originality to avoid bring slammed into by a Landcruiser at an intersection!

[Robert]

Folks, I've enjoyed reading your pros and cons for the 803 - I have an original 1956 Series II.
I'm a fairly new MMOC member - June this year - and would appreiate some advice please!
There's a whine from my rear diff - should I change it or leave well alone until it becomes too unbearable?
If I should change it, what ratio should I go for?
Many thanks
Robert

[bmcecosse]

First step - drain it and fill with new EP90 oil.......

[mike.perry]

See http://seriesmm.mmoc.org.uk Car Ident, Gearbox and Rear Axle Ratios

[sudburypaul]

Robert,

I also have a '56 series 2 with 803 engine (though my daughter would dispute ownership). Before I took ownership in January this year it was stored for about 20 yrs, but mechanically and structurally in very good nick. We have been fettling niggly probs over the last few months, such as a broken valve spring. We replaced all springs, decoked, and lapped in the valves, and reset clearances (it is not converted to unleaded). While not putting it in the supercar category the engine is noticeably more responsive and quieter. The diff is a bit whiny, so an oil change is probably in order, but my previous van and traveller diffs weren't exactly quiet either

Paul

[minor_hickup]

Bore out the block and fit a 948 crank....... Could be good for 80/90 bhp........

Leyland did this! they used 948 cranks that were adapted. One of the things they did was grind down one of the counter weights to miss the 'lump' in the block casting that the dipstick passes through. I assume they ran out or stopped making 803cc cranks and supplied these instead as recon items.

[bmcecosse]

They would need to have provided new matching con-rods too...... or specially ground down the 948 crank to suit.

[minor_hickup]

They ground the crank to suit the rods, then ground the old part number off and put the 803cc crank part number on the box.

[bmcecosse]

Maybe they used worn out 948 cranks that had been exchanged for reground items..........

[minor_hickup]

I suspected they'd either used 948 forgings or knackered ones as you suggest. I came across one that had only been partially ground on the web that fouls the dipstick 'bump'. I guess the chap doing the work must have gone to lunch and then forgotten about it! Sadly I've thrown away cranks I've taken out of 803 engines when I thought someone had mucked about with a 948 crank. Only when I saw one in a Leyland box did the penny drop!