Messages

31

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Sidescreen mounting ferrules

« on: November 26, 2017, 10:54:24 »

I'm confident they are the same on an Ace as a Cobra. The original ones were chrome on brass, and rather worn, and around 1980 I got some more from Brian Angliss, who was making Cobras under licence at the time. They look identical. Moreover, being stainless steel, they don't wear nearly as fast.

32

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Damper mountings

« on: March 16, 2017, 14:10:43 »

Thanks Luke. Fortunately, since writing the post I have learned that Avo have moved to rubber bushes, so I was able to buy them there. Got the car back on the road today and it feels like the best suspension compromise so far: ride not harsh, but so far no tendency to bottom. Adjustment, by the way, was full hard on the rebound and midway on the bound, as recommended by Avo.

33

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Ace adjustable steering column problems

« on: January 16, 2017, 21:37:47 »

Glenn Burnage has kindly sent me the patent info for the adjustment device, which includes a useful drawing. My theory is lack of lubrication and/or roughness between the female cone of the adjustment collar and the male cone of the clamping ring. When you slacken the collar, it needs to slide around the collar and if that is too tight you are in trouble. Also, if you pull on the wheel, as one tends to do when leaving the car, that will tend to jam the clamping ring further into the collar, exacerbating the problem. So leaving the splines unlubricated is probably a good idea, to minimise the chance of the wheel hub edging outwards when the rim is pulled.

34

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Ace adjustable steering column problems

« on: January 15, 2017, 08:48:18 »

Good idea, rsk, thanks

35

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Ace adjustable steering column problems

« on: January 14, 2017, 20:04:57 »

Many thanks to everyone who has replied, very helpful. I'm clearly not the first person to have trouble with this. I have a spare steering column and box and all the bits to rebuild it, but no spare boss. It's obviously time I rebuilt the spare box, stripped out the current one and examined the adjustment mechanism in the process.

36

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / dashboard illumination

« on: September 20, 2016, 21:19:21 »

I have a 2.6 Ace (RSX5006) and many years ago had an AC-engined example which was very original (AE1141). The latter did indeed illuminate the footwells when the instrument lighting was on. Curiously, my 2.6 does not, though there is nothing much to stop it. The whole installation is quite hit and miss: the bulbs are mounted on small brackets and these are adjusted so that the bulb is as close as possible to the windows in the sides of the instruments. Nothing more scientific than that. The level of illumination is poor, it might not be a bad idea to add another couple of bulbs. Or you could fit halogen bulbs (I have), or LEDs. The latter use a lot less power and this will help your dynamo cope on that long wet night drive in winter with the heater fan on. Most of my bulbs are screw fitting but I have one bayonet-fitting, which I suspect is non-original. Hope that helps. If you want to look at my set-up, call me. 07729 618861 or 01524 849079 (location Lancs).

37

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Ford Engine 206E

« on: September 17, 2016, 20:25:43 »

Only just noticed  your post. I have a 2.6 Ruddspeed, I don't have many engine spares, just a few parts that I believe are standard Ford components, but if you let me know what you want, I will do what I can. Lots of parts in my engine are non-Ford, how standard do you want it to be? I can tell you what bits are in mine, and where I bought them (about 10 years ago).
   
   On a related subject, does your car have a Moss box? Mine does, yet despite this it uses a standard Ford clutch slave cylinder. The rubber seal around the actuating arm, which stops dirt getting in the bell housing, is a Ford component but no longer available; it goes hard and becomes useless. I would be interested in getting a batch made, Ford Zephyr owners would probably be interested if the price was reasonable.
   
   You can call me on +44 (0)1524 849079 or +44 (0)7729 618861

38

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Ford Engine 206E

« on: September 17, 2016, 20:22:39 »

Only just noticed  your post. I have a 2.6 Ruddspeed, I don't have many engine spares, just a few parts that I believe are standard Ford components, but if you let me know what you want, I will do what I can. Lots of parts in my engine are non-Ford, how standard do you want it to be? I can tell you what bits are in mine, and where I bought them (about 10 years ago).
   
   On a related subject, does your car have a Moss box? Mine does, yet despite this it uses a standard Ford clutch slave cylinder. The rubber seal around the actuating arm, which stops dirt getting in the bell housing, is a Ford component but no longer available; it goes hard and becomes useless. I would be interested in getting a batch made, Ford Zephyr owners would probably be interested if the price was reasonable.

39

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / AC Ace diff unit

« on: June 15, 2016, 00:23:45 »

Hi Will
   
   At the risk of telling you things you already know, I think you have a problem on your hands. The diff from my 1961 Ace 2.6, which to the best of my knowledge is the same ENV unit as yours, was stolen some years ago while the car was in pieces and even with insurance money to spend I had great trouble finding a replacement, in any condition. I can advise you of what not to do, however, namely buy one from a 2 Litre Saloon! I found out the hard way that they are similar but not interchangeable. Probably your best bet is to widen the search and find out what other cars the unit was fitted to, there is bound to be an ENV anorak out there somewhere. The only other application I know about is the Cooper-Bristol racer, and there aren't many of those around!
   
   Good luck.
   
   Norman Burr

40

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Ace Tools and Tool Bag

« on: May 22, 2016, 23:19:08 »

I would be interested in getting the correct items for my Ace 2.6. Are the items common to all Aces and Acecas or is anything different for a 2.6?

41

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Needle rollers

« on: May 09, 2016, 14:16:21 »

Thank you Luke. My car does indeed have a Zephyr engine. I'm sure my uprights are the originals and are not damaged. Wheels are quite wide: (5.5 inch, 15 inch dia), tyres are 70-section 185 Avon ZZ. The steering is no worse than it was in 1971 when I bought the car with narrow 16" wheels and gripless Michelin X tyres, I think it's just that the driver is getting older and wanting an easier life!

42

Recent ACs / EBC Greenstuff Brake Pads

« on: April 26, 2016, 01:09:46 »

I have greenstuff pads on the front of my Ace 2.6 and they work fine. A bit less dead than the TR3 pads I had before, slightly more bite. I have never experienced any fade, but my car tends to do long relatively gentle trips, so the brakes don't have to work particularly hard. I cannot say how they would work in competition.

43

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Needle rollers

« on: April 26, 2016, 00:55:56 »

I do find the steering heavy. I have lived with it for 45 years so I'm not about to do anything precipitate, but if there was a proven mod to improve it I would probably go for it. I ask right now because the kingpins need rebushing. Don't fancy being the guinea pig though! Thanks for your thoughts.

44

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Tyres for 16 inch wheels

« on: April 17, 2016, 22:22:09 »

Thanks. I think the car looks rather good. Mine is a working car, handling is more important than winning a concours.

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Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Tyres for 16 inch wheels

« on: April 03, 2016, 21:36:59 »

Thanks for feedback. Any chance of a photo of your Aceca with the Pirellis fitted? What width rims does it have? Totally agree about the Vredesteins, I had them before the Avons and got rid of them because they were downright dangerous in UK conditions. After 12,000 miles there was virtually no wear! They were sold to the owner of a Daimler-Jag and he seems to be happy with them. Maybe they work better on a heavier car.