Messages

91

General Forum / Sports Car Mag. May 1962 – AC Cobra article

« on: May 23, 2009, 00:48:23 »

quote:Originally posted by henryst
   
I always feel grateful to those who exhume such articles, so, thank you Classicus. Reading the article got the memory going. Some 20 years ago I knew a chap named John Gibson who did indeed campaign a Chevrolet engined Ace, I think in the late '50s. I don't think he had much success. Also, just on an historical point, a question. I am sure Shelby approached another manufacturer prior to AC. Can anyone give details?
   Peter
   

   I see you got a response to your question. Here is a quick story about AC being approached by another person to use a Chevy 283 in a production AC.
   
   There were many early attempts (prior to Shelby) to place V8’s in AC’s. The earliest one I know of is an ACECA (AEX566) in which a Chevy 283 fitted in 1957. Apparently the owner approached AC with the idea of using a 283 in their cars and they were interested in the concept, but that’s as far as it went. The full story on AEX566 can be found in Rinsey Mills new book (AC six Cylinder Sports Cars in Detail). I have spoken to the guy who owns this car and it still has the chevy 283 as installed in 1957. I understand that an ACE was fitted with a Chevy 283 around the same time and raced (in the Southern US - I believe). The car was nicknamed the CORVACE. This may be the ACE you mentioned. It is the history of our cars which makes up a big part of owning an AC!
   
   John
   AEX521

92

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Disc Brake Rotor Interchange

« on: May 22, 2009, 22:10:09 »

Jay,
   I hope the rotors match up. Be sure to post the results after you have compared the parts.
   
   I will send off the parts cross reference list(s) that I have to Robin and cc a copy to you as well. I am interested to see what response Robin gets from other members and what the compiled list looks like. Thanks Robin...should be a worthwhile effort for all!
   
   John

93

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Disc Brake Rotor Interchange

« on: May 21, 2009, 12:35:00 »

My car has been in the family since 1968 so I went through my files and found two references to disc brakes. The first was a copy of a 1980's AC Action which posted a 1976 AC cross reference list which calls out both the calipers and rotors from a TR3. I also found a hand written note from 1968 which states "front disk brakes TR3". Like many of us I have many partial lists and hand written notes...and I am willing to share such resources...any volunteers out there with some spare time to compile and post and maintain a list on the web site?
   
   John
   AEX521

94

General Forum / Email Poster - Does it work?

« on: May 10, 2009, 02:21:16 »

quote:Originally posted by administrator
   
Some email providers automatically treat messages sent via the Forum server as spam.  We looked into it a year or so ago and unfortunately there's no simple way round it.  My recollection is that most providers are OK but one or two are intransigent.  I've deleted the email trail that dealt with it so can't be more specific.
   

   
   I am the one who had a thread of e-mails with the administrator regarding this issue about a year ago. Try going into your spam filter controls for your e-mail service and make adjustments. I have AOL and my settings have the “allow mail from all senders” checked as well as “deliver blocked mail to spam folder” (instead of delete blocked e-mail). Different e-mail providers may have different settings. I recall having to enter the custom settings section and enter the URL for the Forum in the “allow e-mail from” box. I believe the address you need allow is http://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum/  last year it was racecar.co.uk…  I just checked the custom folder in my setting and saw that there were no addresses in the “allow mail from box”. I just tried sending myself an e-mail from the Forum – members section and it came through into my in basket (not the spam folder – go figure). So it works for AOL as long as you have your spam controls set up properly.
   
   The problem is that the member you want to send a message may have to make these adjustments in his e-mail settings in order to receive e-mails from the Forum (members section). It is different from one e-mail service provider to another. Another member I know was unable to get it to work so that he could receive e-mails. I suggest members who want to be able to receive e-mails from other members (via the Forum) check their spam controls.
   
   John
   AEX521

95

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Some interesting AC racing information

« on: April 25, 2009, 08:18:46 »

Select "A" first and then pick A.C. in  the make section (not AC...go figure)  and then you are into the listings for AC's. I had the same problem as Jay at first. Nice site...it works like a database in that you can select a driver and see all the other cars he drove... Worth checking out!

96

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Aceca Tools

« on: February 04, 2009, 04:48:50 »

quote:Originally posted by 59 Aceca
   
John,
   
   Here are the jpgs of the drawings you did on the brake adjuster and brake bleeder.  Thanks very much for taking the time to detail all of the specifications for us! - Greg
   
   
   
   
   

   
   Here are two dimensions I forgot to include for the Brake Adjuster Spanner.
   - The Handle is 7/8" wide
   - The Square socket transitions to round at the handle and is made up of tubing that measures O.D. = ¾” and I.D. = ½”

97

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Aceca Tools

« on: February 01, 2009, 20:28:39 »

quote:Originally posted by GaryC
   
I bought some from Ron Leonard (HYD050)..1 1/2" long overall and they fit hex on orig bleed tool.  GC
   

   
   Thanks! I will give Ron a call.

98

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Aceca Tools

« on: February 01, 2009, 05:23:20 »

Thanks for the info Gary. I will have to locate the proper bleed valves to replace the ones on my car as my rear suspension is back together now but the brakes still need to be bleed. <Does anyone have a source for new bleed valves?> I have been using a 3/8” deep socket and letting the brake fluid ooze out and into a pan below. It looks like one can place a bleed tube through this tool and direct the brake fluid into a jar. This sounds much better!!!
   
   John

99

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Aceca Tools

« on: January 31, 2009, 22:32:58 »

quote:Originally posted by pjbowman
   
John - does the tool with the hexagon socket maybe fit the acorn nuts that hold the valve cover in place on the AC engine?
   

   
   Peter
   
   The hex socket spanner is what I thought was used to bleed the rear brakes, but I don’t think it is for that use since it doesn’t fit the bleed valves. There has to be another AC club member who knows what this tool is used for. I will drop this tool off to Greg to see if he can determine if it fits any obvious parts on an AC engine. My car was an AC enigned Aceca (AEX521) before being converted to a 289.
   
   John

100

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Aceca Tools

« on: January 31, 2009, 22:31:40 »

quote:Originally posted by pjbowman
   
John/Greg - on the 'bleeder' tool (flatbar handle, square socket opening), does the 'socket' start out as a round tube welded to the flat bar, and then flare to the square end? Or is it square tubing all the way?
   
   Thanks guys.
   

   
   Peter
   
   The flat handle square socket opening tool is definitely the Brake adjuster spanner (used to adjust the rear breaks…have used it many times to adjust my rear brakes). The socket starts out as a round tube and goes to square. It appears to have been made by heating and forging it square at the top.
   
   I will e-mail you a PDF of a sketch with dimensions (of both tools) and I will scan it into a jpg file and see if Greg can upload it to the Forum for everyone else as I have not taken the time to figure how to upload to the Forum yet.
   
   John

101

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Aceca Tools

« on: January 26, 2009, 07:36:53 »

Hi Peter,
   
   The complete tool set Greg is referring to is out of my car. I will measure the size of the brake adjuster and the brake bleeder with a caliper and post the measurements when I have time. I am not quite sure the “brake bleeder” tool is actually used for that purpose since it does not fit the bleed nipples on my brakes; although, I thought it might be for that use since the bleed nipples on the rear breaks are so hard to reach (I think the original bleed nipples have been replaced on my car). Does anyone else know about the intended use of this tool (the hex socket tool)?
   
   John

102

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Celebrating the New Year in (AC) style!!

« on: January 04, 2009, 06:06:42 »

Greg,
   
   It’s great to celebrate your 50th (semicentennial) in the same year as your Aceca turns 50. Here’s to the next 50 years! Hope to see you out driving your car often this year.
   
   Cheers,
   
   John

103

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / BEX 402 Final Prep For Road

« on: November 29, 2008, 06:15:48 »

Gary,
   I think Jay has some viable solutions to your seating situation. The seat rails have been removed and the seats have been fabricated to mount to the floor in my Aceca (to make room for an overdrive unit and associated transmission tunnel work). This does allow for mounting the seat further back. Don’t know the situation in the Ace, but sounds like it might give you that added leg room.
   Hope all works out for you to better enjoy your new car!
   
   John

104

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Rack and Pinion Conversion

« on: September 25, 2008, 21:29:57 »

quote:Originally posted by aex125
   
Peter, Thanks for the information. My car also has the dash, internals, etc out, so any needed mods would be easy. The previous owner also cut out the steering box mount and all of the other steering mounts so that is why I am thinking about making the changeover. Can you explain the shaft lengthening and welding a bit? I am not sure I understand what needs to be modified.
   John, I recognize the Walt Peterson name from many period magazine articles about Bay Area Aces. His name seemed to pop up on a regular basis. I am interested to see what you do with the turn signal conversion you mention if possible. For AEX125 I have a 3 position switch mounted under the dash and would like to replace it with a arm if there is an good way to do it.
   Thanks for the responses.
   Jay
   

   
   Jay, I will try to post a photo and description of the vintage turn indicator arm application when the work is complete. I will also see if I can determine the donor vehicle. I’m sure many members with R&P conversions are also using a 3 position switch like you and I.
   
   John

105

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Rack and Pinion Conversion

« on: September 25, 2008, 04:03:05 »

Your post about R & P steering and another member’s e-mail inquiry about the rack and pinion set up on my Aceca (AEX521) led me to look into what components went into converting my car.  My father had always thought the R & P and steering box came out of a Triumph of some sort…although not certain he called the mechanic that performed the conversion in the late 60’s (Walt Peterson – old timers from the SF bay area may recognize the name as he owned a repair shop and worked on many AC’s in this area during the 50’s 60’s and early 70’s) Walt recalls the R&P came out of an MGA...maybe the early MGB’s used the same R&P unit…in either case this adds further support to using the MGB rack. I Googled “MGB Rack and Pinion” and found that Moss motors and others supply a brand new rack that matches the specs of the early MGB R&P.  Walt also recalled that fitting the R&P required a lot of fussing around to get it just right…”the front wheels wanted to turn in at first when the brakes were jammed on hard”…sounds exciting!... Using Ben Yates conversion kit might be the best bet since it comes with instructions and drawings and it sounds like a proven conversion.
   
   I have also lost use of the turn indicator due to the different steering box. I am having a1950’s vintage steering column mounted arm installed to replace the current toggle switch set-up. At least it will match the period hardware in the cockpit.
   
   Good luck with your “project”[]
   
   John