Messages

Thanks for the advice all noted , I have contemplated fitting a modern or even a classic solenoid as you have described but I would really like to keep the originality of a pre war solenoid . I'm sure in the end I will be buying a modern but I have not reached that stage yet . Steve hall has been most helpful in suggesting a few ways to get my original working properly again but my current solenoid is sealed which makes any service impossible unless I open it up and risk ruining it completely . Any suggestions very welcome .

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction for a pre war solenoid , mine is currently clicking and not engaging , as its sealed this is a real problem that could jeopardise my visit to the national day in my 16/80!!

Good day rr64

I have contacted Dave Actons business and had a positive response straight away via Bonni. Let's see how this develops but they definitely appear to be up to it, thank you .
To aid my endeavour it would be great to have some quality shots of the cooling set up on an original early 289 car including expansion tank, radiator and hoses. Do you have a suggestion where I might be able to acquire these.
The Car has a 1963 aluminium Gearbox which appears to be a race box, would this have been a standard part for a road going car. I understand that aluminium boxes were introduced at some time in development but were these "race " boxes ?
Originally 6005 was fitted with an Armstrong selectaride damper control system, the control being mounted on the transmission cover . I suspect that this was unreliable. Do you think this was purely an option offered by AC cars for European/British cars.  I am not focused on originality, but it would be good to get information on this as well.

Hello RR64

Thankyou for the information I will try and contact the people you suggest . My Cobra is Cob 6005 The second right hand drive car produced by Ac which I believe was used as the factory demonstrator for some time . The car is very original generally but as is the way with Cobra's I suspect over heating issues lead to the radiator being replaced with a 427 unit and a non standard expansion tank being fitted .
I attach a picture of what I believe is a standard engine bay for an early 289 and COB 6005 as it was before the present non original expansion tank was fitted ( not necessarily original ) . Do you have any thoughts on both pictures ?
Regarding  The twin brake reservoir system do you think the introduction ties in with the registration date for COB 6005 1/1/1964?
Hope the pictures are attached !!

Hoping someone can help with the sourcing of an original or pattern expansion tank for my early 289?
Also the brakes have two brake reservoirs which I assume means the car has separate front and back brake systems was this standard?

I fear my wiper motor is about to expire, the park feature has ceased to work and casting an eye over the outer case I doubt that it has seen any maintenance for many years . How difficult is it to remove and does anyone have a new old stock example tucked away that they would consider  selling ?

I now have my Gerry Hawkridge indicator assembly installed and working well . during the process of fitting I noted the following which I hope will be of help to other installers ion the future .

A visual comparison between the two shows a few cosmetic differences  . The ident numbers on the replacement are raised in what would be the upper area of the lower assembly , although they would not be particularly noticeable I decided to remove them and repaint the entire assembly gloss black apart from the horn switch which has been painted white to match my original ( The whole assembly was supplied in a rather unbecoming matt grey ) . The indicator stalk is slightly different in shape and the securing screw has a  slightly different surrounding area all are acceptable to me .

The main fitting problem was encountered when the new assembly was presented to the removable journal on the steering column shaft , the diameter of this was slightly larger than the hole in the new indicator assembly , it was also noted that the original assembly located into position on this journal using a keyway type arrangement this was not present on the new assembly . Both issues were solved by making a new removable journal and with a cut to allow for compressing on to the outer shroud of the steering column and not replicating the alignment slot . The securing screw compressed the new journal on to the outer shroud , this secured the whole assembly adequately.  The wiring had different colours to the original but did not present any issues

To summarise I felt very fortunate to have bought the unit from Gerry and the fitting although not straightforward was within my limited engineering experience .

Thankyou for this information rr64

I have cleaned the mechanism and lubricated there was quite an amount of debris present . The cancellation device works fine when turning right but the stalk needs to be held in position when turning left or it just returns to neutral . Any suggestions ?

You are quite right the indicator stalk is broken but I have seen today in a previous post on this forum that Gerry of hawk cars had some back in july . If I have no luck I would appreciate the details of someone who might help .

On another related subject my original fuel tank needs replacing it will make a fine pattern , do you happen to know of a reliable supplier of such things ?

I am trying to source a new indicator self cancelling assembly mounted on the steering column of my 1964 289 , does anyone have any suggestions ? I have tried to attach some shots for reference

Thankyou for your reply nikbj68, Yes perhaps this would have been a great place but as the car has never been rebuilt and so original throughout ( albeit with a few amendments over the years ) I am hoping to be able to run the cable and the fixing of the switch without drilling any holes in the car . Any further thoughts ?
I have been looking at the triangulation bar which starts under the dash to the left of the glove box and contemplating some sort of a fixing plate to this for the switch but it is not easy to get to this area when in the driving seat . Then I was stumped with how to run the cables without drilling any holes ?

I intend to fit a battery isolation switch to my standard " Thames Ditton" 289 but am struggling to decide where to fit the switch . The priority being access from the driving
position but hidden from view . Can anyone help with suggestions ?