Restoring a Top Hat

[Tom the Blacksmith]

This maybe an old wives tale but I remember being told that if a car left the production line and made it to the gates (under it's own steam) then it was sent off to be sold. If the crank broke (before it reached the gates) a new engine was fitted and stamped with correct no. The failure rate became so high that the stamping was stopped and a car with an engine no. 1000 out might be an original non-matching numbers car! That and the changes to crank journal sizes shows that Austin new it was a inherent weakness. As you say, why change the crank for any other reason.

I'm really enjoying reading this thread, with all the bodgery being rectified the right way, more power to your elbow!

Best,

Tom