Austin Seven

Post by **Onne** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:36 pm

Hello all,

I was just wondering if anyone here knows anything about Austin Sevens.

The pre war type, this is a 1933 Ruby.

She doesn't want to start. There is a spark at the points, fuel and compression.

The car was laid up some time ago, but has not been started for a good while.
Carb has been apart, cleaned etc.

It's just the ignition that is very different to the Minor, as it is driven off the dynamo (so I'm told)

Any idea where I could possibly find the timing marks so I can check static timing?

Any help greatly appreciated

Onne

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:31 pm

Spark at points maybe - but is there spark at plugs ? That's the first check. Then try to figure if the leads are on correct order. Is the dynamo a direct drive from the engine ?

Post by **Onne** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:06 am

Yes, dynamo is direct drive.

First thing I'll do is check for spark at the plugs, and do a little compression test.

Post by **MarkyB** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:46 am

Did you put some fresh petrol in it?
I've heard that modern petrol tends to lose "flammability" when stored for a while.

Post by **Onne** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:48 am

I have been told that has been done... I'll have a look at that as well though.

Surely it shouldn't take much to start something like this

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:40 am

Don't expect much from the compression test - they barely have any when new!

Post by **Onne** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:19 pm

80 psi

Didn't get her started sadly.

I did spot quiet a nice car in the back of the shed...

What are the thoughts on the Humber Sceptre?

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:38 pm

You are turning into a right wheeler dealer of late........

PLaying with all sorts of machinery

Post by **MarkyB** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:59 pm

80 psi!
I'd give it whiff of easy start.

maybe drain the rad and fill with hot water?
It doesn't do engines any favours to be left for long periods without running.

Post by **toginthemog** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:31 pm

go on give it a whiff of easy start many times I have worked on an engine and checked and checked a little spray and it will soon tell you if everything is in the right place as long as you dont do it to often they don,t get addicted. get the oil flowing first before you let it start if it has been stood

Post by **Onne** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:45 am

Tried easystart... the spark must be too weak or in the wrong place...

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:49 pm

easystart (or lighter fluid or fresh petrol in the neck of the carb), compression and a spark.
If you have 2 of these then the other should be what you are missing...

Post by **Judge** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:53 pm

Fresh petrol in the neck of the carb always worked on my Siddeley

Post by **Judge** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:55 pm

PS Only a small amount needed.

Post by **toginthemog** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:06 pm

well added vision,s of onne with big funnel and 5 gal drum LOL

Post by **d_harris** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:09 pm

can you get 5 gallon drums of easystart??

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:16 pm

Fresh petrol in the neck of the carb always worked on my Siddeley

Sadly I had a fuel pump problem on a modern fuel injected car - there appeared no easy way to find this out, and without a petrol can and without any tranport either, I found the first thing flammable (lighter fluid refill container).

If I'd been at home I'd have just used a Minor to supply the fuel (by removing pipe from carb and sticking it in a jam jar...
Minors have a million uses - including petrol dispensing

Post by **MarkyB** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:28 pm

Interesting thread here:http://www.austinsevenownersclub.com/fo ... ?f=9&t=711

Suggests that such low compression is barely acceptable.
Also mentions a manual advance/retard lever. How was this set?
Did it show any signs of life at all?
How about a powerful electric drill driving the end of a starting handle into the dog on the bottom pulley?

Ignition timing is set by trial and error at 1 1/4" BTDC at full advance.