Messages

Jay,
   
   The phenolic collar should just slide off the splines. There is nothing to fix it, so it must have stuck. Good luck.
   
   John D

Hello Jay,
   
   Sounds like your Ace, like mine, always puts up resistance to what should be  simple jobs. If you have released the top mount and you can slide it up and down the column at all, it should be possible to slide it right off. Unless your steering column is different from mine, it is the same width right to the top, except for the narrower neck about an inch below the top that prevents the top bearing from sliding down inside the column. There is no stretching of the rubber bush required. If it will not slide at all the rubber must have stuck to the column. Try sliding a craft knife blade between the bush and the column, and perhaps some washing up liquid to help it slide?
   
   Before you just apply force, I am not 100% certain but I think the rubber piece is shaped to fit the groove in the top housing, not just a plain rubber ring, so go a bit carefully in case replacements are difficult to come by.
   
   John D

I think you are making this difficult. The whole steering assembly can be removed after removing the steering wheel, drop arm and wiring, and the appropriate shock absorber and taken out downwards between the spring and the wishbone. Assembly is the reverse of dismantling. There are complete instructions in the Ace Handbook, copies of which were available from Brian Gilbart-Smith.
   
   The way you are trying to do the job, I would think it is the stator tube that is holding everything together. You might be able to get it off by releasing the nut, through which the wiring emerges from the base of the column, and drawing the olive off, but I would try to remove the assembly complete. Once removed the rubber gasket can go on over the top of the column without any stretching.
   
   John D

Robin,
   
   I recalled an SF Edge Special being sold at an auction at Olympia a number of years ago, though I cannot find the catalogue now. However I looked through back issues of The Automobile and found that it was at Brooks sale on 2 Dec 1996. "An aluminium finished AC S.F.Edge Special Sports 2-seater dating from 1924 sold for £9,000 - a bargain. This was a very nice example...." (Automobile Feb '97 Page 37"
   
   In the same issue David Howard has an advert on page 87 for a "1924 AC S.F. Edge Special Sports 6-cylinder 2-seater with dickey. Finished in aluminium and dark green with matching leather. Shipped new to Australia as Works demonstrator. Fitted triple carbs and sold new with 80mph Brooklands guarantee." Possibly this is the same car. From the photo in David's advert the registration number of his car is SV 4587.
   
   I am not sure whether this might be chassis no 13335 which is listed in the register as ex works 1926, but does not quote a registration number.
   
   Hope this might help put you on the track of this example.
   
   John Davison

I have received an offer for ACOC members of 10% discount on tickets for the London Motor Show. The show takes place from Thu 4 May to Sun 7 May 2017. Details are available from the web site www.thelondonmotorshow.co.uk where you can book tickets online and obtain the discount by entering the appropriate Promotion Code.
   
   As this forum is accessible to non-members you will have to contact me by email to obtain the Promotion Code, quoting your ACOC Membership Number. My email address is to be found under the list of club officers in ACtion.
   
   John Davison
   Hon Sec

The Department for Transport has put out a consultation document with options for changes titled Vehicles of Historical Interest - Consultation on Exemptions from Annual Roadworthiness Testing. The consultation period closes on 2 Nov 2016 so there is no time to collate  response by seeking members' opinions but individuals may respond directly. The proposal can be found at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/roadworthiness-testing-for-vehicles-of-historic-interest.
   This came to my attention via the Riley Register Newsletter received yesterday 27 Oct 2016.

Can anyone recommend the correct oils to use in an Anzani engined AC? Presumably a non-detergent oil in the engine (SAE 50?). What is best for the transaxle as I would expect it to have to be a compromise between something heavy for the worm drive and something lighter for the gears?
   
   John D

As part of their 80th anniversary celebrations the VSCC are inviting clubs to attend their celebrations with a Vintage Day Out on Saturday 9th August at the East of England Show Ground, Peterborough. Entry is free of charge if displaying a suitable car. The emphasis is on Vintage and PVT cars, but other interesting cars up to 1960 are accepted. Further details can be found on the VSCC web site.
   
   I am required to give a return on numbers of cars and persons attending by 31st May, which is essential to obtain the free entry passes. If you would like to attend please can you Email me as soon as possible at john.davison517@btinternet.com or phone me on 01264 352434 and leave a message on the answer phone, or see me at the AGM.
   
   Highlights of the event include Anniversary Themed Car Displays featuring ERA, Frazer Nash/BMW and Riley, Childrens Entertainment, Stilt Walking Jazz Band (not sure if there was a comma missed out of the VSCC communication or if the Jazz Band will really be on stilts) Great War Commemoration Area, and Hundreds of Edwardian, Vintage, PVT and Historic Cars on display.
   
   John Davison

I see there is a 1911 AC Sociable included in Cheffins auction of 16 Aprill 2010. The car is Chassis No 603, Reg No CY491, Engine number is not given. I cannot spot this car either in the AC Owners' Club register, or the Veteran Car Club membership list.
   
   John D

There is a vintage AC radiator, Lot 109, in Chippenham Auction Rooms sale on 12th April. It looks pretty battered, but may be of use to someone.
   
   John Davison

There is a rather nice looking 1914 Sociable, Chassis No 1874, Reg No. AU1392 for sale on Orchid Cars website www.orchidcars.co.uk, but not cheap at £15k.
   
   John

Does anyone know a source for the Metalastic or Silentbloc type of bush used on the fixed part of the Ace door catch? To get the catches replated I need to remove the bushes, and (Sods Law) one refuses to come off! It is either destroy the bush or miss plating the striker. The size of the bush is 14.15mm OD (close to 9/16 inch), 7.95mm ID (5/16 inch) by 23mm long. I have searched on the Web and can only find bushes starting from 20mm upwards. Any ideas where I can get the required size bushes?
   
   John

In case anyone may be interested there is a Greyhound mascot included at Lot 84 in Coys auction in London on 4 Dec.

Can anyone advise a source for the clamps that support the tail pipes on the Ace, ideally in stainless steel? Although they once seem to have been commonly used in mild steel, I have tried numerous exhaust suppliers without success, and certainly none of them use stainless fittings, even when they fit stainless systems.
   
   John

Can anyone please help with advice on the run of the fuel pipe from the pump in the boot to the fuel filter, which is on the near side inner wing on my car? Should the pipe run along the chassis tube, inside the transmission tunnel, or the near side under the pasenger door? Where it emerges into the engine bay how is it routed and fastened before it reaches the filter?