06-04-2022, 08:39 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-04-2022, 09:09 AM by Malcolm Parker.)
Welcome to the wonderful world of Austin Sevens, Charlie. Your car was put together by a real enthusiast. My only input was to provide the radiator cowl, I expected Adam to paint it black but he liked the look!
Most Austin 7's with 3 speed boxes crunch when engaging first, it's generally because the idling speed is a bit high. Don't worry about it. First gear slips in perfectly by double declutching on the move but can be a pain at standstill. On the move it is the change into top that is generally trickiest.
All the other points you raised have been answered by the previous replies.
Use the car as it is and decide what you want to do with it. Ulster reps are good for trialing. If you intend trialing yours it would be better with a higher front spring to increase front ground clearance. A secondhand saloon spring would do. For hillclimbs or sprints the car needs to sit lower. The flat front spring will be okay initially but you need a pair of flatter rear springs, these are readily available. Nice double front shock absorbers are available that look good and help locate the axle. Wheels and tyres are important. 19" wheels look period and a good supply of tyres are available at sensible money. Your car sounds as if it has a 4.9 axle ratio, this was the standard ratio for most RN saloons. With 19" wheels a light Ulster with this ratio should cruise nicely on the road but all things considered a 5.25 ratio (the easiest to find) is probably best. My car has this set up and will climb a 1 in 4 hill in second gear.
We are a friendly bunch and a lot of us have Ulster reps so between us we will keep you right.
Most Austin 7's with 3 speed boxes crunch when engaging first, it's generally because the idling speed is a bit high. Don't worry about it. First gear slips in perfectly by double declutching on the move but can be a pain at standstill. On the move it is the change into top that is generally trickiest.
All the other points you raised have been answered by the previous replies.
Use the car as it is and decide what you want to do with it. Ulster reps are good for trialing. If you intend trialing yours it would be better with a higher front spring to increase front ground clearance. A secondhand saloon spring would do. For hillclimbs or sprints the car needs to sit lower. The flat front spring will be okay initially but you need a pair of flatter rear springs, these are readily available. Nice double front shock absorbers are available that look good and help locate the axle. Wheels and tyres are important. 19" wheels look period and a good supply of tyres are available at sensible money. Your car sounds as if it has a 4.9 axle ratio, this was the standard ratio for most RN saloons. With 19" wheels a light Ulster with this ratio should cruise nicely on the road but all things considered a 5.25 ratio (the easiest to find) is probably best. My car has this set up and will climb a 1 in 4 hill in second gear.
We are a friendly bunch and a lot of us have Ulster reps so between us we will keep you right.