AC Aceca race prep.

[Gus Meyjes]

As I am now taking apart my 59 Aceca (AEX674) in order to rebuild and race prep, I was wondering who has experience with the AC engine with regards to rebuild to race condition. Specifically who can supply parts and who has had successful application of such and wants to share his info with me. I am located in Michigan, USA. But sources in the UK would be of great help. Any info on increasing compression, changing pistons, Con rods, push rods, stronger crank shaft etc etc. Also any help in beefing up the 4 speed box, if nessesary. I would like to convert the fron drums to discs. My car was built before 59 but not titled until then, hence the drums instead of the discs that by that time had already become standard off the factory, if I am correct. I would like to change the bushings to a polyurethane kind. Does anyone know of availability of such? Are the bushings identical to the leafsprung 289 Cobra? And last, but not least: availability of steering boxes. Are they unique to the Aceca, or were they used in other British cars of the day? Or otherwise converting to rack and pinion?
   
   Thank you so much for any help and info.
   
   Gus Meyjes

[cobham cobra]

Hi Gus,
   I can't help you with suggestions for your engine / gearbox but there are good contacts in the club magazine which can probably help you. However, the one thing I would recommend is you upgrade the brakes to a split / twin circuit system. There was a nasty crash involving an AC at the Classic Le Mans this year when a broken brake pipe left the car (and driver) with no brakes. Keith Lessiter (AC Ace Bristol is his member name on this forum) races a Bristol Ace and I'm sure he will be writing to you when he reads your message. Good luck - John.

[Gus Meyjes]

Thanks for the reply. I have the dual set up in mind. I spoke with Keith: great guy, great car! I have had poor succes with ACOC magazine recourses. I have called several vendors and shops for advice and the need for parts resulting from whatever advice I would be given, but no such luck. I am awaiting a fax from Nigel Winchester with some info regarding front disc conversion. So all you vendors and repair shops out there: I am looking to spend money on my restoration!! I need parts and advice!! Who will sell them to me?
   
   Gus

[AC Ace Bristol]

Hi Gus
   
   Have sent you email regards AC Engine assistance.  John Lewis has just rebuilt AC engine for his Aceca, he has used various facilities including the Services of Rod Briggs.
   
   Nigel Winchester is very helpfull and will get back to you, its not that hes lazy, Simply very Busy.
   
   On the Subject of Race prep of Acecas,  Peter LLanfranchi has raced his Aceca for many seasons, he has learnt the hard way, trial and error, I havent a email address but will confirm his tel number and address by email later this evening.
   
   Tim Pearce recently had a pair of  Nos front stub axles for sale, for Ace / Aceca with disc brakes, please note I believe stub axles for Discs are different to tjhose for Alfin Drums.
   
   Suggest you contact the following for additional help;
   
   Tim Pearce.... Fax  00 44 1454 618 171
   Tony Bancroft Ace Bristol Registrar,  many years racing experience of Aces (Acecas)  tonybancroft@btinternet.com
   
   Andy Shepherd is another source of insperation, as he also has many years experience of successfully  racing Aces and Cobras.
   
   shepherd289@aol.com
   
   Last but not least, regards rebuilt steering boxes or Rack & Pinion Steering contact Ben Yates, I havent his personel Email address but try his wifes address...... Angela.yates@speed-mail.co.uk
   
   Good Luck with the rebuild and racing the Aceca.
   
   Enjoy !!
   
   Keith

[davieroy]

Gus.  Happy to talk about re-building an AC Engine.  There is a certain person in the UK who professes to know what he is talking about but, when it actually comes down to doing it, he falls flat.  The best person in my opinion over here is Brian Taylor and I have also received good advice from Robin Woolmer. Brian is currently building a very high spec engine for me but, at the end of the day, you can't fit a quart into a pint pot, despite what some people would have you believe. You could end up spending a fortune without a lot of gain in BHP.

[Robin A Woolmer]

Gus
   As above Brian Taylor is a very reliable engine builder, i do have a vested interest in the AC Engine as i am able to supply major engine parts for pre & pot war engines, have a look at my web site.
   You will need to find out which engine type you have CL or UMB, CL has thin wall shell bearings & the UMB has thick wall white metal mains & direct white metal big ends.
   If you are going to race the engine then you need a good block & a strong well balanced bottom end.
   With this then you need to concentrate on the head,camshaft,pistons, valves & springs, porting & carburation.
   I would suggest you poll the racers as to there set up & make a judgement on the best format.
   You will find virtually all the parts for the engine are now or will be available soon, check the various web sites.
   Robin

[59 Aceca]

Gus,
   
   I was going through some old web advertisements that I had printed out and came across a 1956 Aceca that was up for sale in May of last year in the UK.  The seller was Vintage Connections (Tel: +44 (0) 1822 860403) and the ad reads:
   
   "This car was built by vendor for his own use, being a known marque specialist.  The AC engine has been dyno tested to 130 bhp being fitted with a gas flowed cylinder head, special profile cam and followers, forged con rods and many other features.  The remarkable flexibility of the original engine has been largely retained...."
   
   Maybe they could be a resource or perhaps someone here knows about this type of engine modification and its viability.
   
   Good Luck,
   
   Greg

[nikbj68]

Keith/ all in general.
   May I suggest that when posting email addresses in open forum, that one substitutes the @ with "at" to prevent the emailee receiving increasing amounts of spam, as the spammers have web crawling programs that seek out entire addresses.
   Regards, Nik ( nikbj68 "at" yahoo "dot" co "dot" uk )

[Gus Meyjes]

Thank you all. I have made some wonderful contacts and have obtained valuable info. Please, keep it coming.
   
   Gus