From: Alan Stevens “Humbug Scrub” 14 Gray Road Huntly 3551 Victoria Australia 03 54488494 ajstevens@iprimus

Replacement Parts and Helpful Information

From: Alan Stevens "Humbug Scrub" 14 Gray Road Huntly 3551 Victoria Australia 03 54488494 [email protected]

Replacement Parts available as changeover, plus freight costs – see below.

TIMING COVER

Fitting out the timing cover seal to insert a modern oil seal - Repco part NO P5598 or TC12145 will certainly stop the timing case oil leaks. I had made a special tool to use in a press to re-align the timing case to take the new seal. Contact me if you wish to fit a modern seal as I have a changeover timing cover with modern seal fitted. Cost $85

HYDRAULIC JACKING SYSTEM

If the hydraulic jack pump seals needs overhauling due to leakage, the seals required are - PR 3279 (2), AS 224 (2), AS 117 (3), AS 116 (3). The actual jacks require Hallite seal 45027 (1.25 X 1.75 X 290) I can replace seals and test jacks provided your cylinders are OK. The cost to service is approx $50 each plus the same again if you send me the pump.

DASH KNOBS

I had access to replacement dash knobs – 7 knobs =$180 (sorry, sold out as of 6.6.03) Still sourcing other opportunities, please ring and see if I have located any.

RADIO REPAIRS

I know of a good spot to get the original radios fixed. It is not unusual to be charged $150 minimum at a place who does not know you and still never know if it really needed doing. OR get told the unit is no good because they do not want to muck around on them. The old timer I know likes to fix them, just let me know. I believe the medium range was originally capable of tracking police calls in the UK. I am in the process of re-fitting my original radio, but have also fitted a modern radio cassette having swapped over to negative earth.

FRONT END BUSHES

I can supply front end rubbers, re-moulded, for both top and bottom arms. Cost = $10 each

Front suspension rebound buffer rubbers - $25 each from Spares Galore.

STEERING FULCRUM BUSHES

I can supply changeover arms, fully re-busched. Cost $125

OVERHEATING

Best to fit an electric fuel pump mounted under the chassis and close to the petrol tank, so it is pushing and not pulling. Fitting a themo fan in front of the radiator is also a good idea, with an over-ride switch which can be left running when stopped.

I have both fitted plus a stainless steel shield between the petrol pump and engine which is approx 250mm x 250mm and bent to deflect the heat from the manifold and exhaust pipes.

I have fitted a modern pressurised head and radiator cap to my radiator and that creates a system which also reduces the overheating problems. Vaporising I believe is best eliminated by bypassing the mechanical pump altogether and only using the electric pump. (Carry a spare for peace of mind).

If an air conditioner is fitted it is possible to run the fuel line around the cooling pipe to cool the fuel.

I will have an adaptor available shortly to fit over the water pump and fit a readily available stainless flexi blade fan (or any other modern fan which moves larger volumes of air than the pathetic original aluminium one). Cost yet to be finalised. But again ring me if you are interested.

THERMOSTAT HOUSING

I can supply a changeover thermostat housing with a common modern 160 degree thermostat fitted (Dayco Part No. DT 14C-BP) and that stupid bypass hose back to the bottom of the radiator has been permanently blocked off. Cost $95 changeover plus postage.

WATER PUMP

I have changeover water pumps available with a modern seal fitted. Cost $135 plus postage

Helpful Information most applies to Sheerlines

Original Paint Colours for Sheerlines were- Black, Maroon, Metallic Heron Grey, Metallic Steel Dust Grey, Metallic Bottle Green
A125 hubcaps manufactured to original specifications were available from Tile Cross Trading Estate, Tile Cross Road, Birmingham B33 ONW. Tel. 0217796856 Fax 021 7796880 (were 112 Pounds in 1991 Magazine).
Spark Plugs - Plug Numbers (Champion N8 are the preferred)

A.C.	C44-R43XL
BOSCH	W9CC-W125T2-W145T2
MOTOR CRAFT	AG3L-AG5-AG7
NGK	B5EB-B6EB-B6EBL—BR5ES
NIPPON	W20ESU—W16ESRU
UNIPART	GSP160
CHAMPION	N5C-RN53 (N8 if you can get them)

The valve seats of the Sheerlines go out of round, best to have the exhaust valves fitted with modern seats. Alloy valve seats (exhaust only) are required to run unleaded fuel. The 8.3 compression is too high.

Welsh plugs 3 X inch and three sixteenths, 6 X inch and five eight. Old disc Welsh plugs can be replaced with cup Welsh plugs by drilling out the block to suit the new sizes. Welsh Plugs 1 inch and one sixteenth (X 3), 1 inch and five eights (X 6)

SD 1 V8 rover pistons have the same pin diameter (+ 65 thous.) The pin is no good but a Bedford truck one will do. The pistons come in three compressions. If you cut the block and shave the head to raise compression, you will need to watch out for oil feed as it enters on an angle. I hear that Dodge may utilise a piston with the same height. Sheerline Pistons available from JP Pistons 0882617222

If using old pistons, it pays to get the top groove enlarged and a thicker diameter ring fitted as the engines had a habit of breaking top rings.

Replace the cork "O" ring in the sump with a neoprene seal (Part BS 311) to return the oil from the main bearing to below the oil level in the sump and avoid back pressure against the sump gasket.

Check the brass restrictors in the big end journals. They can slide out and cause problems. (They can be Allen keyed - national fine thread)

Torque wrench settings (lb.ft)

80	Main Bearings
55	Cylinder Head and
50	Con Rods
50	Flywheel
35	Clutch to flywheel
12-15	Tappets

Castor - Quarter Degree Positive

Camber - One Degree Positive

Toe In - Three Thirty Seconds.

Replacement oil filters are Baldwin Filters Part P198 (approx $18.50) or Crosland Filter number 423 (approx $13.50). There is a rumor that an adaptor is possible to utilise a Z9 or Z30 oil filter as per a Holden or Falcon.

Top radiator hose can be cut from a common pipe for Bedfords and Toranas – Gates Part NO 05 – 0032. Cost approx $8.00

.Radials are a great investment on Sheerlines but the steering is still heavy when turning. If fitting, the arms on each front wheel will require bending gently with an oxy a further 0.5cm away from the rim to allow for tyre clearance . The radials I fitted are 16" X 220 and used to be available second hand from your nearest ambulance servicing depot. (If an ambulance gets a puncture in a tyre, they are not allowed to re-fit and you can buy them from $10-$50 each.)

Fitting Air Conditioning system – Chris Harmer used the existing generator bracket and welded a structure upwards to take a universal bracket (available from auto stores or a wrecker) Used a Sanco rotary compressor, but any would do and choosing a common one is best. Several under dash units are available but the vehicles do not lead themselves to have things welded under the dash. The Toyota Se uses a unit in the boot and this could be worthwhile. Choose a condenser to go full width across the radiator. There is not much room and it is critical to use all the width). Chris uses an 8 bladed truck fan as it draws more air. Do not use the original fan. There is so little room up front to fit a thermo fan between the grill and radiator and condenser.

Generator / Alternator - I have done away with the generator, changed from positive earth to negative and fitted a common Lucas alternator to aid in power supply. The brackets and wiring are fairly straightforward so long as the regulator is in built in the alternator. I can now run radio, cassette and CD.

CARBY NB make sure you have the advance/retard functioning on the distributor vacuum before any fiddling with the carby problems. I have fitted a Holden 202 carby with a variable main jet. I have improved starting, idling and driving but are yet to clear a flat spot. I still think the original carby is OK and capable of fair m.p.g.

HUBCAPS - Do not get caught at Swap Meets. They are 31cm across, not 28. Hubcaps and steering wheels in good condition are very scarce.

TOWBAR - If you have a towbar fitted it is worth having a good one fitted as the vehicles are capable of towing 2.0tonne. It is only the type of towbar that restricts. However some note should be made on braking capabilities and even with my power assistance they would be much better if discs were easily available.

SHOCK ABSORBERS I believe someone in Melbourne can restore our shock-absorbers, but they cost a fortune. I do not know of a method of fitting modern telescopics at this stage, so if you do, please let us know.

ID numbers are located on the top of the gearbox and diff ratio on the bottom of the diff at the front and below the tailshaft.

BOOKS to find Sheerline/Princess articles in

Auto Car May 7, 1948; June2 1948; Nov 4, 1949; Aug 1, 1952.

Healing Technical Bulletin 39

Motor Trader Service Data 164

Austin A125 Running and Instructions Handbook

Austin A123/A135 Parts List Volume 1

Thoroughbred and Classic Cars August 1993

Automobile Buyers Guide April 1999

I sometimes have available workshop manuals at around $100

Interior – one restorer said he wouldn’t take it to an upholstery place for the hood lining etc as the original coach builders used so much piping to hide the gaps, he could achieve all he wanted and at a fraction of the price.

Happy restoring

Regards

Alan Stevens

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