Simple how - to rebuild A series engine !! FOA cooperman !
Discussion
Anyone help !!
I’m looking for a simple guide to rebuild an Austin A series engine (in-line), simple step by step instructions, I have various Vizard books and even though they are great, they’re too detailed. It’s my first rebuild and I would like to get it right…
Can anyone recommend a website or printed matter…
Kind regards
Matt
I’m looking for a simple guide to rebuild an Austin A series engine (in-line), simple step by step instructions, I have various Vizard books and even though they are great, they’re too detailed. It’s my first rebuild and I would like to get it right…
Can anyone recommend a website or printed matter…
Kind regards
Matt
Matt, I know what you mean. The specialist books alls eem to assume that you know how to build an engine from scratch and the sequence in which you do it.
The old adage of 'it's simple when you know how' is just so true.
Recently I helped a young guy who lives near here to re-build his 1275 SPI engine into a twin-carb 1330 with a better cam, head, etc. He came here to my workshop and we built the engine together. He cut the costs by taking the bits to the machine shop with detailed instructions as to what he wanted done. Then he assembled the engine under supervision. Now, I think and hope, he could tackle a basic standard build without any further help other than, maybe, the odd phone call. It's great when young people are so keen to learn.
If you care to private email me, I can give you some basic on-line help and when you get started you can always call me up for specific advice or instructions. I don't know where you live, but if you are near enough to get to the Cambridge area you would be most welcome to come and see an engine being built so that the inside is not foreign to you when oyu do yours.
Just let me know how I can help,
Peter
The old adage of 'it's simple when you know how' is just so true.
Recently I helped a young guy who lives near here to re-build his 1275 SPI engine into a twin-carb 1330 with a better cam, head, etc. He came here to my workshop and we built the engine together. He cut the costs by taking the bits to the machine shop with detailed instructions as to what he wanted done. Then he assembled the engine under supervision. Now, I think and hope, he could tackle a basic standard build without any further help other than, maybe, the odd phone call. It's great when young people are so keen to learn.
If you care to private email me, I can give you some basic on-line help and when you get started you can always call me up for specific advice or instructions. I don't know where you live, but if you are near enough to get to the Cambridge area you would be most welcome to come and see an engine being built so that the inside is not foreign to you when oyu do yours.
Just let me know how I can help,
Peter
We found this DVD an absolute godsend - took away a lot of the unknown about building an engine and made it a much more relaxing affair:
http://www.minifilms.co.uk/a-seriesbuilder.html
Can't tell you how many times we watched it - not your average saturday night film, but strangely enjoyable!!! Our friends thought we were just plain mad!
http://www.minifilms.co.uk/a-seriesbuilder.html
Can't tell you how many times we watched it - not your average saturday night film, but strangely enjoyable!!! Our friends thought we were just plain mad!
DanGT said:
The important thing is have a go. One thing I found usefull is as I took the old engine apart making nots and taking pics. Good luck
good ideas. another great tip is to get a collection of plastic tubs and small money bags which you can put all the nuts/bolts/washers in and label them with what they are where they came from. if you give the bags numbers that way you know roughly which order you need things in.Ive also found getting a piece of cardboard on the worktop and then laying engine parts on that is handy as you can scribble notes next to things and lay them out in order.
Dave
If it's the first time you've been inside an engine, I'd suggest either getting a cheap disposable camera, or a very cheap digital one. Take pics of everything you've never seen before, as in a few weeks/months you won't remember where all the little bits went, or in what order. Otherwise, take your time, write notes and draw little diagrams if they help you. Just because others don't need to, doesn't mean diddly when you're the one doing the work.
Otherwise, the A series really is a simple engine. As said, the older Haynes manuals are good for engine rebuilds, as they give much more information.
Oh, and stock up on kitchen roll, pipe cleaners and freezer bags that can be written on. You will needs lots of all of them, as having a big box of bolts is only ok IF you know where they all lived on the engine. And too many of the bolts look very similar the first time out. If possible, group bolts with the things they go with, ie cam chain cover and it's bolts should go in one bag. The inner cam chain plate should go in another bag with it's own bolts.
Oh, and if you're re-using the push rods and buckets, poke the rods through a piece of card on which you have written where each one goes. You can then put light scratches on the buckets to indicate where they came from. I find Roman numerals best for this, ie I, II, III, rather than 1, 2, 3.
Otherwise, the A series really is a simple engine. As said, the older Haynes manuals are good for engine rebuilds, as they give much more information.
Oh, and stock up on kitchen roll, pipe cleaners and freezer bags that can be written on. You will needs lots of all of them, as having a big box of bolts is only ok IF you know where they all lived on the engine. And too many of the bolts look very similar the first time out. If possible, group bolts with the things they go with, ie cam chain cover and it's bolts should go in one bag. The inner cam chain plate should go in another bag with it's own bolts.
Oh, and if you're re-using the push rods and buckets, poke the rods through a piece of card on which you have written where each one goes. You can then put light scratches on the buckets to indicate where they came from. I find Roman numerals best for this, ie I, II, III, rather than 1, 2, 3.
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