Hello all, working on the Chummy project today and was very annoyed to notice that the steering box has cracked as per the picture below. Not entirely sure how it's happened, but it's possibly down to fairly extensive previous use as a go-kart without a body on and therefore no column support, or had possibly been knocked by something while the body was off.
So the question is, can this be repaired safely if welded up to a professional standard? 
   

Found in the Gent's ( walls decorated with pages from the Beano/Dandy.

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        Are these clamp plates the same for the RN and RP saloons. I've used 3 of these from our cherished suppliers which are fitted to replica sunshine roofs and I drilled the mounting screw holes in the frame to suit.. Now I have an original RN sunshine roof frame I find that the holes in a replica clamp plate are a mile out.

Looking through a "Wonder Book of Motors" I can across this engaging image - click on it for a better picture
If you would like a very high resolution copy that can be blown up to fit on your living room wall, it can be downloaded here: https://lathes.uk/W-book-highres-1.jpg

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I have not been able to find a description for removing the dynamo on my late 1937 Ruby. The descriptions that I have come across refer to removal of three long bolts, but my dynamo does not appear to have have three. I have removed the short top bolt and the dynamo can be moved up and down a little but does not want to come out.
There are two screw heads top and bottom of the dynamo outer end. Very difficult to access with a screwdriver within the confines of the engine compartment. 
The markings on the dynamo appear to indicate that it is a C35A.
I would appreciate advice on removal of the dynamo.

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Jon Yeeles

Seven owners in the Marches and sporting vintage motorists will be sad to hear that Jon Yeeles left us early yesterday morning. He had not been well for some time, but a degree of remission had allowed him to be cheerful and active until very recently. However, an invasive brain tumour got much worse, and he had spent the last few days in a hospice

Jon had been involved in motor sport for a very long time indeed. A good many of you will have seen him and competed against him at VSCC, LCES, PWA7C and Inter-Register events, from all of which he will be sadly missed. Whilst he dabbled with a wide variety of marques, various sorts of Austin Sevens were his principal machines, for trialling, hillclimbing, autotesting and nav rallying. The semi-Cambridge Hogstow Special managed over time to have been both a tall, low geared trials car, and a lowered, high geared hillclimber. The final Chummy convinced various authorities of its historic eligibility. Having spent many uncomfortable hours in it, I can confirm that the passenger's seat was wholly original, having had no attention since leaving Longbridge many decades ago. Jon was not a prize hunter, but a genuine grassroots competitor, always cheerful and happy to contribute.

Anne has friends and family living close, and will receive much support. Arrangements will be made for the funeral in due course, but we will not know whether we will be able to come and say goodbye to Jon, taking suitable transport in the form of machines he had previously owned or competed against.

Stephen Kay

i was wondering what a 29 vacuum wiper is supposed to look like.  i know mine doesn't look correct because it isnt being held to the windshield. if some people can help me know how it is held on there. i read on another thread that the spring on the arm does something but i don't remember what it does. if you can add pictures or descriptions to help me out. P.S if you are looking for a way to lube the inside of the mechanism use ATF just put some in a cup and work the arm back and fourth works like a dream!!

A recent generous donation to the Archive has been drawings of a couple of gearboxes that have caused a bit of head scratching. They are, without doubt, genuine Austin drawings dated 1929, though these versions were issued by the Austin Service Department to a 750 MC member, John Watt, in 1947. So far, enquiries amongst a few people 'in the know' have drawn a blank. 

You will see from the example I am posting, it is described as a Silent 3rd, 4 speed Austin 7 gearbox. The other drawing I have is for a Silent 2nd 3 speed gearbox. The silent 3rd gearbox is described by Bob WYatt in his History of Austin book, though he doesn't suggest any possible use. They seem to be 'robust' in the extreme, with more bearings than normal for starters. 

I offer them for further discussion and extravagant speculation amongst the crowd here...

Hugh

   

A few months ago there was a debate on best head gasket sealant— locktite 5920 RTV Copper Silicone gasket maker was recommended by several people. I made a note of this, knowing that a gasket change was due on my 1937 Opal. So I got a tube of the aforementioned and yesterday happily did the job. 
My slight reservation is the note on the packaging which says, “ not recommended for use on head gaskets or parts continuously immersed in gasoline “
I’ve use it sparingly and spread a thin coat over the C&A gasket and torqued the head down at a bit under 20lbs — the instructions say re torquing is unnecessary.
I suppose what I’m looking for is some reassurance that I’ve used the right stuff!

Charles

Looking at the parts book for a chummy the Jack handle is quite log, where did Austin expect owners to store it in the car.  Also what do owners do nowadays?

Thanks