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As of August 2023 Dale Manufacturing posted a notice on their website that they are not accepting new work and are closing their business. 
I have used an alternative service located in Redding California named Damper Doctor for other dampers, but not AC. One of their dampers has been in service on my car for over 20 years.   Information for them can be found by googling damper repair or damper doctor.   

Bert Brown
Danville CA

I am servicing the rear brakes on BEX239 and I have a question about the brake shoe return springs.

A previous ACOC post regarding rear brakes and the orientation of the shoes contained a photo that showed 2 different brake return springs are used.  I will post the Photo. 

The Girling Service Bulletin dated February 1959 in the ACOC members area also refers to the fact 2 different brake springs were used, a short one and a long one.

However, when I consulted my 1968 Girling spares book, it only lists one part number for the brake return springs, namely GB2453.

My car came with identical springs for both locations, so it conforms to the later Girling literature.

Do any of the long time owners know if this was a simple parts rationalization on the part of Girling to do away with 2 different part numbers and settle on just one or was there some sort of design change along the way that resulted in two identical springs?

Thanks,
Bert Brown
Danville CA

Thanks for all your responses to my question.

I do see that I need the 3/10844-4 "bridge" type budget latch after reviewing the fit of my boot lid.

Can you tell me which other British cars used this style latch?

Unfortunately, Moss Motors does not cross reference Wilmot Breeden numbers, they only go by car make and model. 
I have been unable to find the part in the Moss catalog.
I can order from a UK supplier, but I would like to save shipping costs as these costs are going through the roof now.
Bert

Many thanks for your reply Luke.

I checked the Moss online catalog and noted the size of the latch.
This latch appears to be the same as what I already mistakenly ordered from a different vendor and it does not fit.
This Moss latch is about 4-3/8" wide (give or take) and the bolt holes do not line up to the boot lid mounting plate.

I have taken a photo showing this latch versus the mounting plate on the boot lid.
The holes in the mounting plate are on 3" centers, while the referenced catch has holes on 3-11/16" centers.

Thanks, Bert

I am hoping someone can provide the proper part number for the boot lid catch that is used on an Ace.  This is the part that bolts on the interior of the boot lid and has a hook that engages the pin in the boot floor.  I am not looking for the exterior handle.  The mounting hole spacing is 3".

As an alternate, can anyone tell me what other cars used this boot lid catch?  Moss Motors here in the US goes by car make and model rather than OEM part numbers.

Photo of the boot lid mounting plate is shown below, photo is upside down.

Thanks
Bert Brown
Danville, CA

Fastpace,

Let me know if you need any help with getting your Ace back on the road.  I am in the middle of restoring BEX239 and there are many people that have been helpful.
Bert Brown, Danville, California

Correct on the ENV also being used in early Jaguar XK120. 
However, checking with SNG Barratt they do not have the necessary shims and pinion shaft distance piece, these are NLA.
Regarding Brown & Gammons, this is an MG specialist.  Are there MG models that used ENV diffs?

Bert Brown
Danville, CA

Thanks for reporting your solution!

Martyn,

Checked with my buddy with the MkIV and he said his engine is fuel injected, so his engine is not like yours. 
I have experience with a specialty firm that managed to get my old Ford to pass the smog test after I had an initial fail at the first smog station.  The main thing they did after they checked fuel pressure and timing was to make sure the catalyst is good and hot before the test, echoing Keith's comments.
Good luck, Bert 

I wouldn't start tearing the engine apart for high CO emissions.  The engine is running rich.  Double pumpers are not noted as emissions friendly carbs.  I would really have a good look at that and lean it out.  I would also check out the complete ignition system and timing.

One of my friends had a hell of a time getting his completely stock MkIV (no double pumper) to pass California emissions.  I'll ask him what he had to go through.
Good luck
Bert
Danville, California

Bob,
If you are looking for parts please contact me at moosehd2@pacbell dot net and I can get you directly in touch with someone who might be able to help.
Regards,
Bert Brown
Danville, CA

You can see the photo of BEX 243 and other photos on this Flickr account:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13539555@N00/albums/72157626150643907/with/7204566178/
Downloads are permitted, so enjoy.

The photo from the 64 Laguna USRRC race is a photo taken by Dave Friedman.  It is really annoying to see someone take a professional photographer's work and try to make money off it by selling a copy on ebay.  A lot of Dave's work is available for public viewing on Flickr courtesy of the Henry Ford Collection.  This took a lot of effort by the Henry Ford Musuem and it is great for Dave to put it up for the public.  It is available once you log onto Flickr and go to "The Henry Ford".  I was not able to post a valid link. 
I'm pretty damn sure Dave didn't intend for people to grab the images and sell them on ebay. 
Regards, Bert

I think it is time to update Jay's original post with newly discovered information on Beware 1.

A number of months ago I ran into an advertisement in an old California newspaper publication entitled "MotoRacing" for a used race car that caught my eye.  The advertisement was dated Dec 12, 1961.  Offered for sale was Beware 1, by Dr. Ken Hayes.  Ken was a Hollywood veterinarian that happened to purchase Beware 1 from Rene Pellandini at the end of the 1960 racing season.  Ken raced the car a few times at Pomona, Palm Springs, and Riverside in early 1961 before he decided to leave the country and put the car up for sale. 

I also found a want ad in the Los Angeles Times dated Oct 23, 1961 offering the car for sale.  This time the California license plate number was listed, but now the car is listed as a 1958.  I don't find confusion over the year of the car to be unusual, this was at a time when Detroit went to great lengths to change every model year, while one year's Ace looked like next year's Ace.  (more or less)  The ad was placed by the same Dr. Ken Hayes as the phone numbers are the same. 

Now to find who bought Beware 1 from Hayes!

You could try David Kirkham over at Kirkham Motorsports in Utah.  I know he has made some for Gerry Hawkridge in the past.
Google Kirkham Motorsports to get contact info.
Good Luck
Bert

When I said pain, I was referring to the combining of all four Registers, Ace, Ace Bristol, Aceca, and Aceca Bristol.  Maybe pain is not the right word.  Maybe I'm just complaining the formats aren't identical.   ;)