1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. | Build. Restore. Modify

penguin45
Grease Monkey

Posts: 218

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 19, 2020 19:36:43 GMT escortdan, ivan, and 4 more like this

Post by penguin45 on Sept 19, 2020 19:36:43 GMT

Oh dear. Where to start? She got cut out of a bush in 2013 and sort of restored whilst I did the Classic Vehicle Restoration Course at Leeds City College. It was my test piece until I had the heart attack, at which point it became personal.... You will be put back on the road. I did it by the end of the course, and then it was just used and maintained - never finished.

This summer gave me the opportunity to sort her out properly.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Off side doors first.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Sill painted and shutzed.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Top joint where I welded on a front wing half all those years ago. Rusty pinholes let water under the filler = big lump. Cleaned and re-welded.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Better.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

This

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Led indirectly to this!

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

And some time later. Floor, bulkhead, sill, chassis plate, A post and tub back panel all repaired. They all do that, Sir.

More shortly.....

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Last Edit: Sept 19, 2020 23:03:21 GMT by penguin45

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penguin45
Grease Monkey

Posts: 218

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 19, 2020 20:00:58 GMT johnnybravo, ivan, and 3 more like this

Post by penguin45 on Sept 19, 2020 20:00:58 GMT

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Wheelarch next....

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

More painting.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Even the ruddy bootlid. Mind you, I was pleased with the fix.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Stripes going back on.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Front re-done.

Finally got the ROstyles refurbished.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Luvverly. Back to bodywork...

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Back panel and rear shelf done.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Getting down to details.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Outside - not looking too bad. Not good enough for my mate Snoopy.....

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Got seriously shiny.

The last brand new exhaust in the hole world went on and friend Ron came round and tuned the car, 'cos I'm "Just the bodywork guy". Runs lovely.

So, that's where I'm up to. Nice to work on my own car for a change. Starting to tidy the engine bay, so no doubt more to come.

Chris.

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strikey Administrator trust my advice at your peril! Posts: 3,341	1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 19, 2020 20:07:08 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by strikey on Sept 19, 2020 20:07:08 GMT lovely old bus getting some much deserved tlc , keep the updates coming.
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fer4l Moderator Nil illegitimi carborundum Posts: 3,679	1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 19, 2020 20:07:38 GMT teaboy likes this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fer4l on Sept 19, 2020 20:07:38 GMT Lovely - thanks for sharing, she's a sweetie
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johnnybravo
Race Engineer

Posts: 1,174

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 19, 2020 20:12:33 GMT

Post by johnnybravo on Sept 19, 2020 20:12:33 GMT

Nice work there👍🏻 Please pardon my ignorance, as I grew up along way away from here. My Dad spoke of having a Land crab before I was a twinkle in his....err Eye. 🤣
For Cretins like me could you explain them a bit? Looks like a mini engine?

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Last Edit: Sept 19, 2020 20:12:56 GMT by johnnybravo

cortina64 Grease Monkey Posts: 10	1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 19, 2020 20:39:49 GMT via mobile Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by cortina64 on Sept 19, 2020 20:39:49 GMT You have already done an amazing job, looking forward to seeing what you do to the engine bay. Will be watching for your updates. Warren
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penguin45
Grease Monkey

Posts: 218

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 19, 2020 21:08:58 GMT johnnybravo, fer4l, and 3 more like this

Post by penguin45 on Sept 19, 2020 21:08:58 GMT

Cheers, chaps.

There was a family of three Issigonis cars. Mini, 1100, 1800. All (at some point in the case of the Mini) had Hydrolastic suspension and transverse engines. The two smaller ones had the "A" series family of engines. The 1800 engine was, err, the 1800cc "B" engine in unit with the gearbox. Didn't work properly, so they invented the 5 bearing "B" engine, so that the transfer drive gears stayed meshed together. Mr Enever thought that this was a good idea and nicked it for the ~~A55 sportscar~~ MGB, thus ensuring that we have no problems keeping our engines running to this day.

The body shell was, at the time, the stiffest monocoque ever built, resulting in a car that was so strong that there was no need for the cumbersome subframes of the smaller cars. Sadly, this was combined with styling which could politely be described as eccentric. Personally, I think it's so pug ugly it's beautiful. So, big, heavy, ugly with an engine 200cc larger than the popular Ford it was competing with led to poor sales, despite a 10 year production run.

But then.... The ride. The weight of the car smooths out the bounciness of the smaller cars and converts it to a magic carpet. The suspension stiffens the faster you go, contributing to go-kart like handling from a car the same size as a Cortina. Not even the hydro Citroens boasted that!

Oh, it's big enough to hold a full on Roman orgy in the back as well. Ahem.

Apparently Issigonis thought it his finest work. Sadly though, he mis-judged his market place.

Chris.

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penguin45
Grease Monkey

Posts: 218

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 20, 2020 19:39:44 GMT oay842f likes this

Post by penguin45 on Sept 20, 2020 19:39:44 GMT

Prettification on going.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Kermit the Rocker Box.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Air box.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Rocker box cured by lunch time, so put back on.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Heater pipes removed for greening. Source of micro leak finally nailed. Brass brush in the pillar drill enough to remove the remaining paint and open out these pin holes.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Stat housing.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Other heater pipe. This one's copper, so no doubt previously replaced. Runs brushed out.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Sundry brackets.

More soon.

Chris.

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teaboy
Grease Monkey

Posts: 63

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 20, 2020 21:31:33 GMT via mobile fer4l, grumpynorthener, and 1 more like this

Post by teaboy on Sept 20, 2020 21:31:33 GMT

I think these are terribly underrated.
Like you said, the legroom in the back is incredible.
You’re doing a half decent job.
I hope you have fully recovered from the dicky ticker episode.

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gtviva Race Engineer Posts: 1,035	1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Sept 21, 2020 8:29:55 GMT via mobile Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by gtviva on Sept 21, 2020 8:29:55 GMT Nice save, a mate had one in the 80s when the rest of us had victors/vivas/capris etc, remember it being good pub transport!
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penguin45
Grease Monkey

Posts: 218

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 1, 2020 20:11:14 GMT grumpynorthener, eurogranada, and 2 more like this

Post by penguin45 on Oct 1, 2020 20:11:14 GMT

Cheated on the heater pipe front. Dug up some new hose, made a new bracket and went with that. The rivet counters will go mad. Radiator tank, bracket and fan all painted. I will have to address the issue of actually cleaning the engine bay.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Given my deep love of cleaning things, I decided to fit the Lokari wing liners instead. I had to un-bury these from the other garage in order to make a pattern for a fellow 'Crabber and could see no point in putting them back there, so why not just fit them?

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

There's one.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Key tool - mallet. They do fit, apart from the lack of clearance around the bumper iron, but some controlled BFI is required.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Secondary tool - drill. Couple of fixings required at the back of the wheel tub.

Went to turn her round to do the other side. The starter has always been slightly lazy, this afternoon it was particularly indolent and she wouldn't go. Another trip to the small garage ensued.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Ooh! A Lucas 2M100 starter motor. This is after I'd attacked it with the wire brush, as it looked like it had spent at least part of its life at the bottom of the sea. All rather stiff and sticky (Oo-err, Matron!), so a full strip down and clean was on the cards. It's got 25659B stamped on it. A bit of checking revealed that it is a 'Crab suitable part. It's also stamped June 71, so I'll justify it as being replaced under warranty....

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

A short while later. Reduced to a kit of clean and shiny parts.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Armature going back together. Brushes re-faced, commutator cleaned and polished.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Field coils prepped and painted. Re-assemble it all tomorrow and hopefully it will go WIZZ! rather than the current nyungyungyung.

Chris

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grumpynorthener
Driver

Posts: 8,480

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 1, 2020 20:32:57 GMT

Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 1, 2020 20:32:57 GMT

Chris - Were the wing liners a aftermarket accessory type thing or is this something that you have had made up - I'm just on with the same thing with the Jupiter that I'm restoring for the rear arches - looks like 16" plastic mudguards for trailers with a little trimming will work a treat

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homersimpson Grease Monkey Posts: 40	1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 1, 2020 21:43:24 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by homersimpson on Oct 1, 2020 21:43:24 GMT Very nice car, love the colour. Is it Damask red?
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penguin45
Grease Monkey

Posts: 218

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 1, 2020 22:59:12 GMT

Post by penguin45 on Oct 1, 2020 22:59:12 GMT

Oct 1, 2020 20:32:57 GMT grumpynorthener said:

Chris - Were the wing liners a aftermarket accessory type thing or is this something that you have had made up - I'm just on with the same thing with the Jupiter that I'm restoring for the rear arches - looks like 16" plastic mudguards for trailers with a little trimming will work a treat

These ones came from LOKARI and were quite popular for a while. A very kind gift a few years back. Fellow 'Crabber Tony is making his from 2mm HDPE from a pattern I made him. It's deceptive though - looking at the space under the wing and the size of the liner, I was thinking "That'll never fit!". Hence mallet.....

Homersimpson - yes, damask red (BLVC RD-05). It's a gorgeous colour when clean ande shiny.

Chris.

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MkX Chief Mechanic Posts: 524	1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 1, 2020 23:48:02 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by MkX on Oct 1, 2020 23:48:02 GMT Inspired! And jealous.
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penguin45
Grease Monkey

Posts: 218

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 2, 2020 16:49:42 GMT grumpynorthener and digbethdave like this

Post by penguin45 on Oct 2, 2020 16:49:42 GMT

Coils had dried nicely this morning, so I built me a starter motor.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Ran like stink when I hooked a battery up to it.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Pulled out the incumbent. This is an M35G. Note that the 2M100 is considerably slimmer, which is a Good Thing, as it makes replacement much easier. The front cross member and oil filter cannister are right in the way. Indulged myself in a bout of terminal cleaning - battery, lives, earths - as good practice. I'd like to tell you that the extreme torque from this rejuvenated motor was sufficient to throw the car over its nose and onto the roof, but that would be untrue. It did, however, spin the engine over very rapidly indeed, leading to instant starting. I'll take that as a win.

Which allowed me to drive 20' and turn the car round. Hard work sometimes, isn't it?

That allowed me to fit the other wing liner. This one put up a fight. It took the use of the trolley jack, scissor jack and lengths and blocks of timber to persuade it home. It isn't coming out again, that's for sure.

VOF707J by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Rubbish pics, sorry. Stresses involved now lead me to repairing a split in the wheel arch. Grrrr.

Chris.

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neilsdavies
Grease Monkey

Posts: 23

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 11, 2020 8:46:34 GMT

Post by neilsdavies on Oct 11, 2020 8:46:34 GMT

Looks like you've caught those repairs just in time! Iremember seeing one thrashing over a field 20+ years ago, with the body staying perfectly flat and the wheels moving about 4 feet up and down!
As you say, they're an odd looking thing, but nice in their own way - I like the front and the back, but in between doesn't do it for me. Not being into Roman orgies in the back of cars (there are far better places for them!), I've always thought that the body is too long, mainly in the rear doors. I'd like to see one shortened by 6" and I'd love to see a 2 door version. Anyone any good with photoshop?

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penguin45
Grease Monkey

Posts: 218

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 11, 2020 21:33:58 GMT grumpynorthener likes this

Post by penguin45 on Oct 11, 2020 21:33:58 GMT

There is a heinous idea being bandied about by the WOLF (Wolseley Owners Lunatic Fringe) that the next "real dog that ought to be scrapped - I know give it to Chris" which comes along gets made into a Jumbo Moke, if only for the look on the face of the traditionalists. We will see - there's other stuff that I need to get done first.

And a little mini update. The downside of fitting the wing liners reared it's ugly head yesterday, when the n/s/f indicator and repeater stopped working. That'll be a dodgy earth then. Duly fixed today by removing the headlight and bowl and going all veterinary through the resulting hole.

Chris.

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strikey Administrator trust my advice at your peril! Posts: 3,341	1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 12, 2020 4:52:16 GMT via mobile grumpynorthener likes this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by strikey on Oct 12, 2020 4:52:16 GMT Love the idea of a jumbo moke!!
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penguin45
Grease Monkey

Posts: 218

1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog. Oct 12, 2020 17:04:24 GMT grumpynorthener and 24vgranada like this

Post by penguin45 on Oct 12, 2020 17:04:24 GMT

Handbrake starting to get a bit long. N/S adjuster spun up nicely, O/S wouldn't move. At All. DIsmantle rear drum. Large copper faced mallet might have been involved. Remove shoes. Clean everything.

Brake Adjuster by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Look at that. Disgusting. So - mission objective - remove cone. Penetrating oil. Nope. Duck oil. Nope. Heat. Nope. Sewing machine oil. Yes! Yay! See, Granny did know best.

Brake Adjuster by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Oh dear. Out with the taps and dies. ³/₈" UNF for those interested. Get that and the body recut.

Brake Adjuster by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Cleaned it up with the brass wheel and it's all moving freely again. Bent my mind as to why it should have got so manky and jammed solid. There's only one source of muck and that's from inside the brake drum itself.

Brake Adjuster by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Big box of grommets on the shelf came in handy to plug that big hole in the end. Might help keep it all clean and lubricated.

Then it got a bit silly. Cleaned up the brake drum.

Brake Adjuster by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Painted it silver. Well, got to be worth at least 10 IBHP. Per side.

Brake Adjuster by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Looks daft like that, doesn't it?

Brake Adjuster by Penguin 45, on Flickr

But, with the wheel back on, it emphasises the slots in the ROStyles rather well.

Friend Ron will look at this and might go "Eee, I'll make an engineer out of that lad yet." Well, maybe.

Chris.

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1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog.

Post by penguin45 on Sept 19, 2020 19:36:43 GMT

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