AC Owners Club Forum

AC Owners Club Forum => General Forum => Topic started by: mmouss on June 05, 2020, 00:10:43

Title: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on June 05, 2020, 00:10:43: Hello,

Here is the 1936 AC 16/80 I bought last year in the UK.
It has a special body and I suspect it is well known to some members of the ACOC.
(http://)
I would be very interested in any info about its story.
Can anyone help please?
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: pjbowman on June 14, 2020, 03:02:12: Lovely car, I can’t add more than that!
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: administrator on June 14, 2020, 09:32:45: L431 - built as a 1936 2 Seater DHC and rebuilt / rebodied by David Hill, who did quite a few competitions in it. If you are an ACOC member, get in touch with Steve Hall, PVT Registrar, who will be able to give you a lot more detail. His contact details are in ACtion.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: Big col on June 14, 2020, 21:48:36: Lovely car !
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on June 15, 2020, 20:45:01: Thank you for your kind answers.

I am not member of the ACOC yet and I am presently adding a couple of improvements to the car: 2 doors & a hood.
Of course, a new paint job will follow...
I also have completely rebuilt the engine which really needed it: brand new liners & pistons, as well as reground crankshaft & re white metal.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on November 24, 2020, 19:36:48: So, the AC is progressing quite well now.
After a complete engine rebuild, I had the body modified by adding 2 doors.
Then, I got a hood, side screens and new tonneau cover.

I also made new door and inside leather trims, assorted to the existing seats.
And at the moment, I am working on a complete paint job which is nearly finished before re assembling the various components.

Then, I hope we can enjoy driving it in the beginning of next year an correctly run the brand new engine in!
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: Big col on November 24, 2020, 21:21:54: It’s looking really good.
I am slightly ahead of you body wise but will be “running in” next year like yourself.
You are in front of me as regards side screens and I have to confess to struggling at the moment. I hoped to get out and about this year to see some other cars to get some ideas as to how to do them and take some pictures. I’m not proud and don’t mind stealing other proven designs. Let’s hope next year is a little bit more sociable.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on November 25, 2020, 20:40:59: Thank you Big col,

What kind of body is your AC wearing?

Re the side screens, I took some inspiration from those of my MG TC which I find quite practical & efficient.
I built the metal part about the same way, but with adapting the size and details to the AC of course.

I already have driven the car a little with its new engine (about 200 km) and no faster than 40 mph till now.
I suspect this kind of engine needs to be ran in quite a long distance this way, say about 2.000 km or even more?

I saw somewhere your engine doesn't idle correctly when cold starting and using choke.
So does mine and I need to use the manual accelerator for a couple of minutes till it gets warm and then run on a good idle.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: Big col on November 25, 2020, 22:36:35: Hello mmouss,

It’s a four seat DHC made to accommodate a six foot three bloater.

I agree with what you say about the running in. Plenty of oil changes as well.

Like you I find using the hand throttle to increase the idol speed helps with the cold running. I have also reinstated the advance/retard linkages and closed the thermostat to help it reach temperature quicker. I think it will be improved once the engine loosens up a little and some tuning can be done.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: administrator on November 26, 2020, 08:22:09: It's worth re-torqueing the cylinder head nuts a few times during the running in process.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on November 26, 2020, 22:13:29: Big col, what is a "three bloater" please? ::)
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: GSouthee on November 27, 2020, 12:41:26: Hi

I think you will find that a 6'3" bloater is a large gentleman. Tall and rotund'ish.

I am sure Big Col will confirm or deny :D

By the way very nice car

Gary
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: Big col on November 27, 2020, 19:45:43: Yes. Bang on Gary.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: Big col on November 27, 2020, 23:54:23: Look at the girth. Nothing to be proud of but it has cost a lot in time and money.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on November 28, 2020, 09:22:55: Quote from: GSouthee on November 27, 2020, 12:41:26
Hi

I think you will find that a 6'3" bloater is a large gentleman. Tall and rotund'ish.

I am sure Big Col will confirm or deny :D

By the way very nice car

Gary

OK, thank you Gary, so may I understand bloater means "big gentleman"?

Thank you for your compliment and indulgence re my AC, though, in my opinion, some work is still required to make it "very nice"...
Will keep on posting the progress!
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on November 28, 2020, 09:25:22: Quote from: Big col on November 27, 2020, 19:45:43
Yes. Bang on Gary.

Very desirable car indeed, congratulations!
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: GSouthee on November 28, 2020, 17:23:07: Hi Col

Cracking looking car, and nothing wrong with a bit bodily insulation. Mine keeps me warm when down the garage. ;D

G
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on December 11, 2020, 21:50:48: So, work is finished now, just have to wait for the allowance for driving it on the road after this second lockdown...
I must confess I am quite impatient!
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: administrator on December 12, 2020, 09:31:46: Lovely!
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: nikbj68 on December 13, 2020, 00:51:28: WOW! What a gorgeous AC! :-*
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: GSouthee on December 13, 2020, 10:07:56: Very nice car, love the boat tail.

Where in the world are you?

Stay safe and enjoy the ride.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on December 13, 2020, 18:26:20: Quote from: GSouthee on December 13, 2020, 10:07:56
Very nice car, love the boat tail.

Where in the world are you?

Stay safe and enjoy the ride.

Thank you GS, I live in the Var, south of France.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: Big col on December 13, 2020, 21:22:08: A thing of beauty is a joy forever. And that is what you have.
Well done with the work and enjoy it all you can.

To confirm, a bloater is a fish that puffs up to be quite large. When one has enjoyed too much excess then a man can begin to resemble such a fish.
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on December 23, 2020, 23:19:49: I drove the AC for a little tour (about 60 miles) 2 days ago and again today.

It seems quite OK, the engine runs and pulls well and oil pressure is staying at a healthy 60 + psi when hot at about 2000 rpm. This is not surprising to me as all the bearings are brand new and the oil pump was in very good condition.

I adjusted 0.5 mm valves clearances as indicated in the technical book but I feel the timing is a bit noisy.
Could this clearance be slightly reduced (say 0.4 or 0.3 mm) without risk of damage to the valves and seats?

Despite I fitted some new felt, there is a quite serious oil leak at the rear crank seal when engine is running.
Any solution, except disassembling the engine again of course?
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on January 17, 2021, 20:44:03: Another little running in trip to the sea side yesterday...
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: dkp_cobra on January 18, 2021, 06:56:45: This picture is a little bit irritating. It seems to me that the two person life in complete different climate zone. Is it photo composition ???
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: paho on January 18, 2021, 11:39:23: ..........I'm not really suprised. There are quite a few people here taking a daily dip in sub-zero temperature, and not after a bastu either!
They often cut a hole in the ice with a chain saw.
/Paho
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: mmouss on January 18, 2021, 18:17:50: Oups sorry guys, no photoshop here: you can notice it is really winter as the lady in the background is wearing a one piece bathing suit... ;)
Title: Re: Do you know this 1936 AC?
Post by: dkp_cobra on January 18, 2021, 18:27:58: Quote from: mmouss on January 18, 2021, 18:17:50
Oups sorry guys, no photoshop here: you can notice it is really winter as the lady in the background is wearing a one piece bathing suit... ;)
::) just another generation. I wear my 4mm wetsuit even in summer.