What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Mike Costigan]

Snap!

I did exactly the same about twenty years ago; out C15E was an 1100cc 4-speed petrol version, and the donor was a C15E Super which I think was a 1300cc with five-speed gearbox, so the mechanics went into the original van and the donor became a trailer just like yours.

[David Stepney]

Like Duncan, I took the opportunity of taking FG out for the first time in two weeks, it being the first nice day we have had that wasn't Christmas Day! When I went out to Wrexham a week ago last Friday, it turned out to be a horrid foggy day which turned to rain as i came home in the dark. So, today, I took a gentle trundle over the mountains out towards Trawsfynydd and then came back via Llanfachreth and Rhydymain, finishing up with a fast run (well fast for an Austin Seven) up the A494 back to Bala.

When I had the engine apart not so long ago, I took the opportunity of reverse flushing the radiator and cleaning out the block.  The engine now runs a lot cooler - to the extent that, on climbing some of the banks in the mountains, the oil pressure seemed rather high - 7 to 8 lbs in second. So I stopped on the moors and checked to see if the oil jets were blocked. They weren't, but the cylinder head was only pleasantly warm to the touch, even after some serious second gear hill climbing. In fact, it remained stubbornly high until I got onto the A494, when a bit of fast road work saw it come down to its usual level.

I must admit it was cold on the moors, so I am wondering whether the oil was not getting up to temperature (I am using a good quality 10W/40 semi-synthetic). Anyway, best check, and be safe. I don't fancy being stuck on the top of the mountains with a run big end and no mobile signal. I could be there 'till spring!

Right on the top, there is a red sign that reads: " Danger! Stay on the Road! Explosives!" I presume that the army have used the area for artillery practice as some time.

Photos: ( At long last I have found out how to insert them into the post and caption them individually)


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Outside the Anabaptist Chapel in Llanuwchlyn

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Just to show that the mountain road is gated

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Going through the mountains

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Up on the moors just after I had checked the big end jets.

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On the bridge just before the junction where one has to decide whether to go to Trawsfynydd or Llanfachreth. The Motoring Dog can be seen at the passenger window wondering what on earth I am doing.

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Landscape with Ram.

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I haven't a clue what this structure is. However, there is the remains of a quarry nearby so it must be something to do with that.

47 miles covered this afternoon. Although the oil leak from the near side rear of the block hasn't quite gone away, no oil to speak of was used. And the modified head certainly makes the car feel livelier, so Thank you Robert!

[Robert Foreman]

David, 
   I'm glad you are happy with the improvement with the head. 
This time of the year I tend to remove the fan belt to enable the engine to get up to temperature. The only time the car will boil is if you drive it extremely hard up a long hill.

[Smiley]

Hi Reck, What a good job.  Speaking as a "Veteran Basher" (1952-2000) and still playing, I couldn't better that. 

[David Stepney]

Robert.
In spite of all the scrambling about in second gear, most of the hills I climbed this afternoon were fraught with gintraps for the unwary - single track roads with blind summits that have sharp bends immediately afterwards with precipitous drops down the mountainside or into trees if you get it wrong. The only hill I know of round here that is reasonably straight is the 1in 4 climb from Llan Mawddwy to Bwlch-y-Groes. I usually avoid it. Going down you end up with no brakes at the bottom and coming up, it is (for a Seven) 2 and 1/2 miles of bottom gear slog. I once did it in the Landrover with a trailer and twenty sheep. Had to use low range bottom all the way up. I could have walked it quicker.

[Duncan Grimmond]

That's a very tidy trailer Bruce, you should be able to get a case or two of your favourite in there!

[David Stepney]

Bruce. You were posting about your trailer as i was composing my post regarding my trip into the welsh hinterland.

Excellent trailer and an object lesson in how to turn a C15 into a Tardis!

[Reckless Rat]

The photos are quite flattering. My C15 has recieved a fair amount of abuse in its former life. The previous owner was a hunter and it showed. The donor van was similarly battered. I think they call it period patina these days. In essence its a Rat van with a Rat trailer. The trailer has had a fresh coat of anti gravel below the waist line and the closing panel just painted with spray cans. It'll soon weather in through neglect!

It took a while to separate the cab from the load bay. Despite their age the C15s were well put together and in the load bearing parts, double skinned. I wore out a few cobalt drills separating spot welds! If anyone wants to see photos of how I made the drawbar just PM me.

[Reckless Rat]

On Austin Seven matters, I got the old girl out today seeing as it was fine and had a little run round the general area. I noticed the same problem that David mentioned, in that it took a long time for the car to get up to temperature (judging by the oil pressure gauge) but I put that down to the four bladed fan. I've never considered taking the fan belt off in the winter but perhaps next time I might give it a try.

Picture of the Mont Lozère massif, just a few miles north of Rekkers Towers. No snow despite the height. It's a huge granite plateau with a summit at 1700 metres. (That's higher than Ben Nevis). Small villages can be seen in the foreground to give you an idea as to scale.

[Charles P]

Lovely day for a drive over here as well.

I pity people who take their cars off the road for winter - this is a great time of the year to go out in a vintage car

   

Charles