DB2 MkIII - Some technical help required

[James Eastwood]

The honour(?) of looking after my Dad's never restored DB2 has fallen upon me.

Can anyone help with these questions please;

1) Where is the best Forum for the active discussion of classic 50s Aston technical matters. It strikes me that most DB owners 'have a man' that fix their cars. I use the MG & AC forums which are quite good for those brands, but I don't know where to go for the best classic Aston mechanical matters ?

2) I have a specific question on the DB2 Brake Servo/Booster. Our Lockheed unit looks to have been retrofitted in '63, (it's a '58 car). It recently failed, applying the brakes continualy when the engine was running. I'm aware that the servos come in different amplification ratios (1:1.6, 1.9, 2.3, 3.0...). does anyone have a idea or an opinion of which ratio I should target for the replacement part?

Many thanks indeed.
James

Edited by James Eastwood on Wednesday 8th November 12:47

[Bournemouthboy]

There is a Feltham cars site on FaceBook that should help.

Aston Services Dorset https://astonservicedorset.com/

All the parts you need and really helpful guys for all Astons new and old

[ClassicV8]

James Eastwood said:

The honour(?) of looking after my Dad's never restored DB2 has fallen upon me.

Can anyone help with these questions please;

1) Where is the best Forum for the active discussion of classic 50s Aston technical matters. It strikes me that most DB owners 'have a man' that fix their cars. I use the MG & AC forums which are quite good for those brands, but I don't know where to go for the best classic Aston mechanical matters ?

2) I have a specific question on the DB2 Brake Servo/Booster. Our Lockheed unit looks to have been retrofitted in '63, (it's a '58 car). It recently failed, applying the brakes continualy when the engine was running. I'm aware that the servos come in different amplification ratios (1:1.6, 1.9, 2.3, 3.0...). does anyone have a idea or an opinion of which ratio I should target for the replacement part?

Many thanks indeed.
James

Edited by James Eastwood on Wednesday 8th November 12:47

Despite the recent politics which has tarnished it's reputation somewhat the AMOC forum will give you access to a number of owners and specialists. I don't believe you need to join the club to access the technical area but I might be wrong.

All the best,

Graham

[CB07]

You could try RichB on these forums as a starter for ten!

[RichB]

Hello... did someone call? I see you joined my Aston Martin Feltham Enthusiasts Facebook group earlier today. There's 850+ members and it's very active, most of the Feltham-era experts are members (Ant Forshaw/Aston Dorset, Chris Adam/Four Ashes, Dave reed/DJH etc. so you'll get an answer to most questions, technical or otherwise.

p.s. regarding your second question; there was an option for something called a 'Baldwin Brake Booster' offered by the factory on the DB MkIII but it wasn't very good and I've never seen one so I guess most have been ripped out and replaced with a conventional servo. You'll be able to ask about ratios on the FB Group.

p.p.s they are usually referred to as the DB MkIII - Aston did call it the DB2/4 MkIII briefly but soon dropped the 2/4 part. The DB2 was an earlier car.

Edited by RichB on Wednesday 8th November 18:47

[john ryan]

Lockheed remote servo was an aftermarket fitment, and a pattern part is the only option these days; quality is variable. 7 inch mgb is a common fit ( boost ratio about 2 IIRC). I have an 8 inch with high boost ratio, because it gives a pedal load quite similar to any modern car, and it suits me. Location could be in the passenger side pod or under the carburettors - these are both a long way from the master cylinder, and the latter has restricted access. I have mine on the drivers side bulkhead, and there is room under the bonnet - short pipe runs and easily reversible to non-servo if desired.

[Dewi 2]

I was also going to suggest Richard (RichB), who reads and posts on this forum.

I am sure he won't mind me telling you (he has posted this), that he was one of the thousands who were very excited when the Vantage Concept was unveiled in 2003. Managed to have his order accepted, but during the very long wait, decided to cancel and instead bought a DB2/4.
It looked immaculate to me, but work is underway to make the car even better. The amusing part is, the Vantage would by now have depreciated to about £30,000, whereas the DB2/4 cars are now in, 'if you need to ask the price ....' territory.

Richard must be an expert on DB2s now.


EDIT - Well, while I was typing, look who has arrived.

Is your car finished now, Richard?

Edited by Dewi 2 on Wednesday 8th November 18:56

[CB07]

RichB said:

Hello... did someone call?

If ever there was a man to recommend for advice on the MKIII..

Hi Dad

[RichB]

James, as your father's car already has a servo fitted you'll know where it is
But, for interest he's a snap of my car with the servo mounted on the driver's side bulkhead. I thought it looked really ugly (sorry John) sticking up like a carbuncle so I had it moved to the passenger side pod where it's discretely hidden out of sight. That's where the vast majority of the DB MkIIIs have them fitted and the pipework runs in front of the heater unit.
I've also attached an advert for the Baldwin Brake Booster once fitted as an option.

[john ryan]

I agree that the Girling booster fitment was particularly ugly, but functionally it is better placed. The pipe runs are shorter, and it avoids the up/down loop over the transmission which could be problematic to bleed of air. The black Lockheed booster is neater and much less noticeable, wherever it is fitted. I don't think there is an ideal placement.

[RichB]

Dewi 2 said:

Is your car finished now, Richard?

One year in and the answer is no! However, I was with the specialist last Friday and it's scheduled in for paint early January. After that it's the home run of fitting it al back together. Interesting to hear that it looked it looked immaculate, many of my friends said the same but looks can be deceiving.

As you know, they're aluminium and in places the ally is rolled around 1/4" a steel rod, this causes bimetallic corrosion and sadly the edges of the front wings and rear wheel arches were all suffering. However, the sill, bulkhead and A pillars are steel so not only do you get the bimetallic corrosion you also get the dreaded rust!

Before starting I spent 2 hours last year together with the specialist going over my car with a fine tooth comb (well endoscope camera actually) but we still weren't prepared for the amount of rot underneath the polished aluminium exterior.
Here's a few pics: before in 2021, one showing the extent of the rot and a couple of it now (oh, and in pic 2 you can see the servo tucked away out of sight). Looking forward to getting it back

[john ryan]

Here's a rather poor pic of a Lockheed servo on the bulkhead, aligned fore and aft. The hydraulic lines are short, and the passenger side pod is free for other stuff. Air can, if necessary, be bled from the fitting at the slave cylinder outlet, which points upward as is best practice. Also, the air valve is underneath (also best practice). The vacuum hose tucks behind the engine. It is, of course, very obviously non-standard. Let us know what you decide.