Austin 12 New Ascot Project

Time for another short update.

Not too much been going on lately since I went to Beaulieu as I've been decorating again.  However, I did manage to get the bushes to give in eventually and part company with the chassis once and for all. It took a bit of work and ended up with me cutting and hacking lumps out of them before they would give up their grip. Had to be careful not to damage the bores though. Since then I have squeezed the new ones in and I'm ready to fit up the rear suspension and axle now.

I ordered a new wiring loom from Autosparks while I was at Beaulie and that should be coming this week. YTou might think it a bit early for this but it is a four part loom and one of the parets feeds through the right hand side chassis section to provide power to the rear lights and fuel tank etc. I have managed to source some replacement P-clips and correct set screws etc for this and I'm looking forward to getting the loom. They're all hand made to order and in traditional wiring colours etc.

I've also sent my first part for rechroming.  I'm not ready for these parts but it is a way of spreading the cost. The windscreen surround is the lucky item that has gone off to Butterworths Regia of Ramsgate for this.  I've never used them before and have never had anything rechromed before. I knew it was an expensive process but it will be good to see what the quality is like for the money. It takes about 4 weeks because of their workload and I will post some pics when i get it back. 

I'm also trying to sort out a suitable way of bonding rubber to metal as I have had to replace the rubber on my engine and gearbox mounts. I am waiting on a call back from Silentbloc UK who may be able to help but they have said 3M make some really strong adhesives if they can't help me and to try them. I would rather have them heat bonded but may end up trying 3M through cost alone.



I have also made a start on the front beam axle and king pins.  At this stage I am cleaning off surface rust and checking what needs replacing.





I'll hopefully have some more pics for you next time with the new wiring loom, the rechromed windscreen and hopefully some assembly on the chassis. I'd much rather do those jobs than decorating! Still its the last room now!

Regards

Steve F.