NEA495 Restoration progress

[RobB]

Having bought this car and fallen for it I sent it off to the restorers after concerns were raised during its MOT ... current position is mainly good news and she is getting close to being finished but I am short a DS5 cylinder head ... any help offers gratefully received. The pictures speak for themselves ..

as it stands- still needing cylinder head, finish last bits and spray and fit bonnet - September 2016

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so near and yet so far

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this was May 2016 ... hopes of driving this summer entering my head

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ready for respray

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engine bay

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beginning to look like a car again ..

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virtually rebuilt chassis

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body off

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before the body came off

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[Martin R]

Wow! That's going to be a very special car. It looks like a thorough, proper job.
Well done and maybe you will drive it this year

[RobB]

well I am certainly hoping to but holidays have got in the way and the last bits can always throw a spanner in the works. I wasn't aware of how rare decent cylinder heads are and taking my time discussing one ... lost it ... note to self: act with more haste next time.

[VFK44]

If you have a big enough budget:
https://www.bighealey.co.uk/austin-ds5- ... nder-heads

Standard Cylinder Head £5,250.00 + VAT
Hmm...

Assume you have contacted Andy Fowler (Slate-Hall on eBay)?
Plus Appleyards, Rejen?

[RobB]

Thank you, I did try Andy, dismissed the Dennis Welch one on price, Rejen had one that was not fixed up ... Have tried Andy again (just now) and will try Appleyards and Rejen

Many thanks for suggestions I'll let you know how I get on

Rob

[RobB]

Latest pictures ... next to a CV8. Cylinder head sorted out now, thank you for the help !

Rob

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[RobB]

Cylinder head on

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[RobB]

Things have moved slowly on, however it is now in the home run..... hopefully!

The disc brakes at the front had been custom fitted in a manner that clearly worked but once known about ... makes you uneasy, hence new stub axles caliper etc sourced from Denis Welch, currently ordered and on their way. Engine has been started and runs after its rebuild but is running rich so things still be checked there. Waiting for work on front brakes and suspension to be completed before tightening everything up/adjusting doors etc. The boot now closes beautifully and the handle returns as it never did before (small things can bring great joy). My steering wheel is not standard and it turns out was missing a gland to stop it coming off/clamping to column so a little search to find something to fix that is still needed. Painting and fixing the bonnet and chrome should be the last things needed and now having a final push to be ready for the end of March ...

[VFK44]

Are you referring to the clamp, and/or the circlip that holds this in place?

Assuming it is the same nut internally, it is available from David Manners as "STRNG. WHEEL LOCKNUT XK120" , part number C3721/1 ( a pattern part). Mine was almost identical to the original apart from the Bluemels stamped writing not being embossed in the black coating. (& not being mangled by a pipe wrench!).

There's also a circlip, costing pennies, to stop it sliding off the shaft: C1036.



http://www.jagspares.co.uk/Manners/part ... 721%2F1%2A

Isn't NEA's steering wheel the one made by Myrtle Ltd., replacing the original that had been modified with a wooden rim?

[Chris_R]

Looks gorgeous. Hopefully you'll get to enjoy the admiring looks this year.

[Toby]

Congratulations! fabulous bit of work. There is some serious effort being put in on a number of projects at this time which can only be good news for the marque

[RobB]

Looking at the steering wheel it does look very like the Myrtle one.

Its the bit that tightens/grips round the column, I should have paid more attention but it looked like a compression joint that was missing the olive (in plumbing terms). I've sent your post off to the main man and will let you know what happens.

Best regards
Rob

[Yet another Keith]

Rob, I can confirm its a Myrtle steering wheel. You are right to replace the front brake setup. Although it works very well, it was originally fitted to just the farina style vanden plas 3 litre - so after-market replacement calipers and discs are unobtainable.
Keith

[RobB]

Thanks Keith,

They had welded extra bits on to the brake calipers, machined the extra bit flat to provide an extension and then drilled/tapped new lugs leaving the old ones - parts looking like melted swiss cheese but clearly effective however not the type of thing that you want in the back of your mind as you hit the brakes!

Getting very itchy feet to have it back now

Rob

[RobB]

Hi the steering wheel is not fixed yet ... it is missing the bit that (locknut VFK44 posted a picture of) that screws on to, the centre boss. does anyone know where I might find/obtain one?

Best regards

Rob