Austin 1300 Will it Run? Eps.12 ado16 Restoration

[@mazdaman1286]

BL had some of the most innovative and far sighted engineers in the motor industry, they were let down by blinkered management and a workforce that could not care less. The cars were thrown together and rectification was part of the mainstream production. Honda representatives when they came over stood and stared in wide eyed amazement ( and no doubt horror) You've done a fantastic job on a car that if in it's time it had been build with care and pride could have been a world beater.

[@langranator]

Thanks for your comment, poor management all too often lets the side down...much appreciated.!

[@jamescampbell7780]

Well done, perseverance pays off! Nice touch adding the alternator.

[@MegaTube1313]

An “a series “ sound Such a rare thing these days Music to my ears 🙂

[@nickb5391]

i can have two A35 running tomorrow ;))))

[@keith17869]

A sound of my childhood. It's a thing of beauty.

[@langranator]

Nice!

[@jrushen4235]

Patience, perseverance and due diligence paid off. Well done..

[@langranator]

That’s what its all about 👍 Thank you!

[@gatti5002]

what a joy to see and here it running again !

[@langranator]

Thanks, it is indeed! 40 years passed since that ignition was turned off for the last time, far too long! It feels great to have brought the engine back to life 👍

[@BillySugger1965]

Oh man, when you started it, the sound from the inside was spot on. You’ll be too young, but it took me back 45 years!

[@langranator]

That’s great. I was quite young in the 70’s but still remember my Aunties dark green 1100. This sounds exactly how I remember going out in that!

[@aftonline]

For me it was about 35 years. I put a used engine/gearbox unit from a wrecker into my Dad's old 1965 Morris 1100 which had been sitting rusting in the shed for years with the engine in bits on the bench, and that little Avon Green 1100 sounded just like that when I fired it up for the first time. Well, not exactly like that. I had 2 of the spark plug wires interchanged on the first try. Surprisingly, it ran, rather roughly. Once I figured it out, it was as smooth as could be. The joys of a youth spent in the shed piecing together a car using the old Haynes manual for direction!

[@kennethhume8628]

Having run a Morris 1100 in my younger days and carried out all the servicing and repairs I’m enjoying this series immensely . They are great little cars but my 1100cc engine was underpowered with the family aboard , I wish I’d had the bigger engine . Keep up the good work .

[@langranator]

Thank you!

[@charlesowen4728]

Time lapse music perfectly Alice’s with the age of the car. Spot on! 😂

[@dongardner9189]

I remember the skinned knuckles and the air turning blue ,over my British racing green 1300! happy days! great vlog

[@langranator]

Ouch! Thanks!

[@kevingarfoot1831]

Congratulations. Seeing your videos takes me back to working on my mini and metro in the 70s and 80s. A pleasure to watch.

[@langranator]

Great to know, thank you 👍

[@Colin623]

Brilliant job, that 1275 engine sounded so sweet ! must of been a huge relief when it started, and to sound so good must of been an amazing feeling 👍😎

[@langranator]

Thanks! Yes it was a relief. It ran and sounded better than I expected, considering the time off road and the extra frugal rebuild, so I'm very happy with that!

[@waynegee2484]

Loving the videos as young fellow had a 1300 GT and maintained myself.... pure nostalgia 👍👍🚙🚙

[@langranator]

Nice! 👍

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

So many people would have bolted the replacement rocker shaft asem straight on and be done. You took the time to strip it down and build the best out of two. Big well done.

[@langranator]

I think it was an earlier one so the pillars were different but I would have stripped it anyway! Thanks!

[@andycampbell4102]

Great to hear the tappets chatting away. The a series is up there as being one of the best ever engines. Fab job, you must be very proud.

[@langranator]

Yes they seem to be pretty resilient engines, thanks!

[@austinado16]

Excellent job, especially on the tight budget! I appreciate all the time you put into shooting and editing video! I have a 1970 Austin America that I've restored. Found it in 1983, crashed on the side of the road.

[@langranator]

Thank you for your comment and sorry for an extremely late reply.. - been away from the channel for a bit, update video coming soon. Austin America were 2 door models, same as mine?

[@austinado16]

@@langranator Yes, they are 2 door models.

[@MrKenny777]

Excellent video. I love watching these old British engines being brought back to life by highly skilled enthusiasts like you.

[@malcolm6951]

Nice job.....well done. Brings back memories of working on my Mini - a proper one!!

[@langranator]

Great stuff, glad you liked it!

[@malcolm6951]

@@langranator looking forward to when you do battle with steering and suspension issues.....oh the number of damaged knuckles due to spanner slip. One bit of advice, wear gloves with knuckle protection. Wish they were about years ago!! 🤔🙄😒

[@roberthorwat6747]

Tappets! Oh my life! Still, at least you only had eight to set, but oh my how sweeeeeeet the sound. She doth cometh along nicely.👊👊👊👊

[@jerrybootneck1736]

The sound of that engine sure brings back some happy memories. Great video and well done to you for bringing it back from the dead.

[@langranator]

Thanks for your comment, it’s appreciated 👍

[@user-itschad1954]

oh man, I'm delighted for you. It looks lovely. Very best of luck with it. I just love the old A Series engine.

[@langranator]

Thank you 👍

[@bryjan51]

A pleasure to watch, well done.

[@langranator]

Cheers!

[@keithdunderdale8027]

Took me back 55 years looking at that engine mine didn't look as fantastic as yours a job well done ☺️😊

[@langranator]

Brilliant! That’s great! More videos to come soon too, thanks 👍

[@selwynandrews9665]

Another great video in this excellent series. Small budget + knowledge, skill & attention to detail = sweet-sounding A-series engine!

[@langranator]

Thank you !

[@dieselstreet8057]

Nice work the engine looks and sounds very sweet! When you showed it sparking I was looking forward to it starting after you'd took my advice and turned the dizzy shaft 180 lol I once serviced my 1968 Land Rover and it wouldn't start cause I'd earthed the points wire another easy mistake to make, good stuff.

[@OrnumCR]

I was wondering about the timing and later oil feed to the top end...glad you got that sorted. Got that typical ‘A’ series sound going on...quick and fast spin on the starter...and away she goes...once the timing’s sorted of course! Well done.

[@langranator]

Thanks

[@jamescampbell7780]

Looks ex factory already! Well done.

[@davidsanders8887]

Excellent job and a nice video too. The sound of my youth and earliest driving experiences.

[@langranator]

Cool, thanks!

[@Mod-rw9cw]

My Granda used to have one of these in the early 1970s. It was a racing green one and he would of been able to get this one going.He was an absolute genius with cars .

[@mikenewman137]

Amazing job specially on such a small budget i wish i had your patience doing my own projects, well done

[@langranator]

Thank you, I never was very patient. It seems to have come from somewhere.

[@Cowley46]

Cracking job, that sounds sweet. Well done.

[@langranator]

Thanks 👍

[@stanelder9995]

The A-Series has such a distinctive sound! This one is very sweet now with the rockers changed!

[@huwdavies6650]

You can say what you like about The British Leyland Plughole of Doom, but those A series engines are bomb proof!

[@stevetaylor8698]

Yep, Datsun used them for ages on cars like the Cherry.

[@laverdajota8089]

Best engine BL made

[@edwardkennedy9919]

@@stevetaylor8698 yep and the 120y and 1500 cc 1 ton pickup, i had both back in the 70s.

[@mikemartin2957]

@@stevetaylor8698 yes I think 1965 was the year they started with their own unit in A10. A12 & A15 Datsun units with the blue rocker cover & alloy head. But before that it was clear it was BMC design ! I think they did use Hitachi electrics instead of the familiar Lucas starter, dynamo & distributor

[@scroggins100]

So many memories. Many thanks mate and what a lovely job. Congrats.

[@langranator]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks

[@bobspeller2225]

Good progress on the motor, the "A" engines are a joy to work on. Keep up the good work. All the best Bob

[@langranator]

Thank you 👍

[@bugman293371]

That engine sounds so sweet!

[@johnnyseagull29]

Love it, love it. Well done. A great job and such good videos. Yours is the first video i have watched in ages which i have not 'cheated' and skipped 10 secs. Enjoyed every second. Cheers.

[@langranator]

Thank you,! Really glad you like the video. I enjoyed making it, lots more vids still to come!

[@johnnyseagull29]

@@langranator glad to hear that.

[@simonbarnwell7787]

Well done , it sounds great , you saved it mostly with hard work and determination , very impressed .

[@alan5670]

Excellent job looks a brilliant job you’ve done, you should be proud of yourself.👍

[@langranator]

Thanks! Yes I’m happy with it so far and it has been very satisfying making old parts look like new again!

[@iseeolly9959]

My Grandad had this car....the ride was like a Rolls-Royce...lovely to see the top end of that engine, reminds me of my 850 Mini and 1300 MG Metro. My 850 Mini had to be scrapped because I could not afford to repair the bodywork....drove it to the scrapyard for 20 miles in 3rd gear at 6000rpm....didn't miss a beat....sounded like a sewing machine the whole way. xx

[@langranator]

Thanks for your comment! I’m looking forward to experiencing the legendary ride...my last new car, a Kia Sportage, was harsh as hell, I hated it. Why 3rd at 6000 rpm ?!! Were you trying to blow it up or was it stuck in gear?! It’s a shame that the older cars had such bad rust problems, millions of owners faced the same sad trip as you taking their pride and joy to the scrappy. Or in my Dads case selling his rotten 1974 Triumph 2000 in the freeads to a banger racer for £80. (Too cheap as he had about 20 phone calls about it that day, they were probably all banger racers!),. A few years earlier he had a Humbre Sceptre collected in the late 70’s by the local scrap merchants. He had left the keys in it but it was too much effort for the scrapheap donkeys to wind the windows down for the lifting chains, so instead they smashed all 4 windows leaving glass all over the drive...Dad was not happy!

[@dudleywordley6986]

Perfection, looks great and sounded lovely you should be well pleased with what you have atchived with a low budget 👍👍

[@langranator]

Thank you 👍

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

Excellent job, well done, I can even smell it.

[@langranator]

Thanks! Oh yes and I haven’t even got my old skool Feu Orange traffic light air freshener out yet!...

[@Wiltshire-observer]

Great ! The big moment arrived. I did think firing order when it wouldn’t start, sparks there just at the wrong time. Sounds sweet now though, well done..

[@langranator]

Thanks, yes I think it sounds good considering what it's been through. Seizing up and then me trying all sorts of things to unseize it.! Cheers

[@TheRapand]

Brilliant work - stunning result! Congrats!

[@langranator]

Cheers!

[@martinwoodworth3715]

Love the A series engine. I had a mini 850, put a 998 in it. Then bought an mot failure 1300 like yours but back then not worth fixing but I had the engine & put it in my mini :) Some years after I had a mini clubman 1100 & I always felt that 1098cc engine was the best for a mini. Thanks for the video.

[@langranator]

Sounds like you had fun, I did similar engine upgrades with 60’s - 80’s Fords back in my day. It’s fun to be tinkering again, your wrlcome, cheers

[@martinwoodworth3715]

@@langranator When I was 16 I worked after school (6th form) & saturdays in a small shell garage in Ashby de la Zouch. It was great, they treated me like an apprentice mechanic. So I learnt no end. Bought my first mini when I passed my test at 17. Took it to bits, prepared it but someone else resprayed it. Went all over the country in that mini. Cornwall, Scotland.. I'm 60 now but would love to get an old mini or even something like you've got.

[@langranator]

Fantastic. I spent about 2 years as an apprentice mechanic in late 80’s then 3-4 years going it alone. Got out for several reasons but I’ve still got some basic skills and it’s coming in handy now. Never too late to do things like this if you put your mind to it 👍

[@jamescampbell7780]

Would be great to see it on the road now!

[@northerner1374]

Magic nothing like the sweet taste of success👍🏻 well done mate 🤩

[@langranator]

Thanks!

[@glpilpi6209]

You did a grand job and for an old engine it sounds very quiet, re ringing the pistons was a good idea .The old tappets were very noisy. They were great little engines and the 1275 was the best .

[@langranator]

Thank you!

[@blacksquirrel4008]

My first new car. In 1972, same color. Here in the states it was marketed as an Austin America. Gave it to my sister and her fiancé drove it into a stopped car at a red light. She painted it her favorite color - brown.

[@langranator]

Interesting thanks. What a shame though! It sounds like these would have been very similar looking cars, (before yours turned brown) I don’t think there are many blaze orange 2 doors left over here. I’ve not seen any the same spec. as this one yet.

[@blacksquirrel4008]

langranator yeah, it was immaculate, too. I worked a job that had serious downtime between tasks and I had kept it spotless.. They weren’t very popular over here but I did like the hydraulic suspension.

[@michaeljose8122]

Great bit of work you’ve done there.

[@langranator]

Cheers

[@ciaranburke3243]

Nice job great to see its little heart beat again 👍

[@dlittlester]

I had one once. What I liked best about the car was that hydrolastic suspension.

[@adrianellis6902]

Super video, she runs like a sewing machine, Brilliant, all the best.

[@langranator]

Cheers for that! 👍

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Very well done , she sounds really sweet !.The ' 180 deg. out ' is a common mishap , and many including myself have been caught out , you have to check to see of 1/4 mark on flywheel TDC which valves are ' rocking ' and check whether the rotor is pointing to the correct cylinder for firing.As I said to you before, of all the A series I have rebuilt, I found wear on the right hand end feed rocker bush on the 1275 engine in particular causing lower oil pressure when hot.I would advise finding/ borrowing a cheap good quality mechanical oil pressure gauge and a 1/4" BSP ' T ' piece to retain the oil pressure warning light.When hot, I would expect at least 30 p.s.i when idling.You should be really chuffed with yourself - such a great achievement on a meagre budget !.

[@langranator]

Thanks Roger, yes the silly thing is that I know that one has caught me out before too! Oh well, I’m glad it wasn’t the cam timing or no compressions etc! I had a look at gauges some time ago and had to buy other stuff instead but I intend to get one at some point. Thanks for your advice which is useful and appreciated, cheers!

[@markmurphy2758]

A thing of beauty. Nice.👍

[@langranator]

Thanks 👍

[@nickbishop6784]

Sounded great Good job

[@langranator]

Thanks!

[@PAUL-yv2kk]

Awesome success especially on a budget. Good on you.

[@langranator]

Thanks a lot!

[@Nikki_Holland]

Great job. Well done

[@langranator]

Thanks, I’m getting there!

[@johnparkinson1708]

sweet well done on a tight budget you will be cruising around in it soon

[@langranator]

Thanks, hope so!

[@aswclassicsdorset1743]

Great car never owned one but worked on a few

[@Nelson1234]

Plugs and points rule of nine for tapets.clutch. Antifreeze. Still have brand new points in workshop. And clutch tools colecting dust !!

[@tonychamberlain8057]

Well done that man looks new

[@langranator]

Thank you!

[@24bellers20]

First car I ever owned. Wouldn’t start on foggy, wet, or cold days. Hydrolastic was rubbish. Driveshaft joints were crap. Gearbox was whiny but I loved it. Oh and it was rotten by the first MOT.🤣 But I loved it.

[@lewis72]

Many cars from that era didn't start on foggy, wet, or cold days and they rotted like mad too. On a quiet evening, I can hear my Granada Scorpio rusting.

[@blackterminal]

Its your ridiculous road salt ​@lewis72

[@rockatansky1305]

Congratulations a really nice job ....

[@langranator]

Thanks, appreciated!

[@ianstewartorr8455]

Bloody wonderful well done well done

[@langranator]

Glad you like it! Thanks

[@superseven7947]

That Little a series sounds good 👍. It's a real credit to you😁

[@langranator]

thanks, yes no nasty noises or leaks...so far anyway!..cheers

[@superseven7947]

@@langranator it's going to be a little gem when you have it finished! Really enjoying your videos😊👍

[@langranator]

Thank you!

[@langranator]

That’s good to know thanks! I’ll do my best to keep them coming!

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video fantastic job stay safe 🇬🇧👍🏻

[@langranator]

Glad you liked it, thanks!

[@pit_stop77]

Looks well smart!

[@langranator]

Cheers

[@dord1954]

Well done, it sound great 😀

[@langranator]

thanks!

[@kevlar_1965]

Massive 👍 up, all on a small budget, hat of to you.

[@langranator]

Thanks!

[@Martindyna]

Interesting careful rebuild. Although never necessary to use EasyStart in a warm country like the UK if the fuel is fresh imo. A car recovery firm used EasyStart on my Diesel Astra once which of course should never be done due to the likelihood of the engine firing way before the end of the compression stroke (often done though I realise). N.B. EasyStart is known as `Start Ya Bastard' down under I believe lol

[@austinado16]

Carburetor cleaner, from an aerosol can makes a safe "Starting Fluid" (what we call a can of ether here in the US). Ether sprayed into a diesel will potentially break the conrods!

[@skellertons113]

@@austinado16 Give it some laughing gas.

[@trevorsowray1]

Credit to you that sounds and looks good.

[@langranator]

Cheers, I’m really happy with it.

[@johnfox4691]

Only £100 to get that far? Superb, looks a really good job.

[@langranator]

Yes, it was around £100 for rings, gaskets, oil, filters to do the bare minimum to head/block. Could have spent lots more on new pistons, etc, to fully recon it, but I think it will be fine for the odd trip here and there!

[@matthewwhite7663]

fantastic, great job.

[@langranator]

cheers

[@davehodges6258]

I had a 1300Gt back in 1980" She was a Purple colour and in bad nick, We had her restored and re sprayed in Orange like yours, Not too many in that colour around these days,!! Reg was YUN 46L

[@boxingday11]

Thanks, that was fantastic 👍

[@langranator]

Glad you enjoyed it! 👍

[@dongardner9189]

oh, the memories off skinned knuckles, air turning blue......bump starting! my 1300,great car though!

[@nickb5391]

two valves can be adjusted on the rule of 9 if the other two are down. i.e when you adjusted no1 when 8 was down, no6 was also down so you could have adjusted no 3 at the same time, another tip leave all the locking nuts free & if when you think you have done them all just check if any nuts are still loose as that means you've missed one ;)

[@langranator]

Cheers for the tip, makes sense!

[@405_hive]

Well done !

[@langranator]

Cheers!

[@salsolo2403]

engine sounds sweet ,well done pal :)

[@langranator]

Thank you

[@boneshaker6819]

I once rebuild an A series mini in a single car garage, it took ages because room to move was terrible. One of the last things to fit back on was the distributor, and then I dropped the distributor drive shaft into the engine. I could have wept!

[@langranator]

Oh no! Don’t you hate that gut wrenching feeling you get when you realise what has just happened?! On this engine I had a piece of screwed up kitchen roll as a bung in the fuel pump hole while I was finishing the build. Of course It fell through 10” down into the gearbox out of sight. Luckily I got it out by constantly swearing and using one of those 3 claw grabber things!

[@garywillcox2286]

Great work

[@langranator]

Thanks

[@rtfazeberdee3519]

gawd... i remember that sound from my first car, an Austin 1100 and my 2nd, the Austin1300 GT

[@langranator]

Yes it’s quite distinctive. Listening back to the ‘in car start’ reminds me of travelling in my Aunties 1100 in the late 70’s when I was about 8 years old. It’s a nice feeling.

[@sirmugman]

sounds good, next up the insides? or getting the breaks n fuel lines shorted? or maybe tackling the body as in waxing or trying to keep rust at bay

[@langranator]

Thanks. Brake overhaul, lots been done already, video in progress!

[@bernarddavies5880]

Spuds sweet good job well done

[@bernarddavies5880]

Sounds sorry

[@iamthefatstig]

Very satisfying to watch. Considering the "Less than a night out" rebuild budget, I'd be very proud to have that engine presented to me like that. What do you think you would have done differently/ farmed out if the budget was, say a modest £1000 to do the engine? I watch some channels and shake my head at the money they throw at things "just because". It's great to see a more realistic take on things. Keep up the great work. Subscribed!

[@langranator]

Thanks for your comment. If I had the money..then I guess new pistons/rebore, oil pump, timing chain set, crank checked/new shells & hardened valve seats, for a start! Although admittedly I’ve skimped probably a bit too much, at the other end of the scale I think it is so easy to get too carried away! This should be ok for my needs anyway and I can always have it rebuilt professionally in the future if my fortunes change, Thanks, much appreciated!

[@jaggass]

''Start you vicious bastard!!!!!!!!!!!!!''

[@fotorabia]

Theres an either 1100 or 1300 sitting in a proper dry shed here in my village in the Highlands...been there since 1986.

[@langranator]

Save him!

[@austinado16]

If you will contact the UK based 1100 Club, they may be interested in saving it. They have a website

[@joewyatt2407]

Nice one 👍

[@langranator]

Thank you!

[@Inside_Aviation]

Top work mate 👍👍. Made me laugh about the dam good thrashing. I reckon a big tree branch may have persuaded it to start a little sooner 😂

[@langranator]

Probably yes! Thanks

[@Alan_UK]

langranator: Excellent work getting this going. I enjoyed my 1100 until the rust got it. Hope the body restoration goes well. Chris: Ah! It was the 1975 Fawlty Towers espisode where John Cleese took a tree branch to his Austin 1100! Here John Cleese tells about filming the scene kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ2WnpmXjKihjdk I cannot remember if Cleese got the car going - I think not. It needed a bit of thinking as shown by langranator.

[@leer798]

Great work. :)

[@langranator]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nigelpearson6664]

If it holds together for the first 5000 miles it should be fine. With a tiny bit of inspection they start very well. Moisture in the distributor cap is a ten minute fix. Changing the oil every 3000 miles wouldn't be stupid, 5000 if in regular use. 15W50 mineral oil I guess. New valve seats a good idea. 500 miles to 1/2 litre of oil would be excellent, your ring/bores might be OK. The clutch thrust is a bit puny, keep a spare.

[@trainsontuesday]

Sweet.

[@Minipickuprich]

Good job! My only concern is the apparent lack of oil flow to the top of the engine. My A-series days are a bit hazy now but would’ve expected a bit more there?

[@langranator]

Thanks, I'm not sure. I have read that it's not bucket loads because of the feed from cam bearing - i..e just pulses a bit every rotation. I was a bit mortified to discover quite some time later that I hadn't topped the oil up from the initial fill and it was significantly under the min mark. In any case I'll check it out when I'm closer to getting it on the road. At least with it running, it's easier to get it in and out of my garage now!

[@Minipickuprich]

langranator my fingers are crossed for you that the oil flow is ok...I’d hate to see all your hard work get destroyed thru lack of oil. The only thing I remember, I think, (and this may be rubbish!), is that it was possible to put the head gasket on the wrong way, thus blocking the oil feed gallery from the block to the head causing poor/no oil flow. Otherwise I really like your work. No frills, no nonsense, no expensive big builds, just a bloke in his garage fixing stuff! 👍🏻

[@langranator]

Thanks for your comments! 👍

[@magicsadan6515]

I ripped out all the wiring frm my Wolseley 1155 as 50 "auto electricians" had worked on the electrics since 1972!someone had installed a very used fusebox behind the dash.i replaced all the wires and everything works but the interior light!

[@demetrispatrikarakos5565]

Great work. Congratulations for your successful efforts. Be careful with the running in the engine. It should not idle below 1500 for the first 100 miles or so. My advice is to check with Keith Calver technical part of his web site. He has the proper way to run in a-series engines.

[@langranator]

Thanks for the tip, I’ll look into it

[@paulbennell3313]

Doesn't look like you had to spend more on the engine rebuild. That's absolutely superb for £100!

[@langranator]

Thanks. It was difficult to decide what I could get away with and restore or what to buy new. It practically turned into a mechanical experiment to see what the minimum was I would need to buy to get the engine in reasonable running order and look great!

[@paulbennell3313]

@@langranator If you can restore the rest of the car to the standard you've got in the engine bay it's going to be an absolute beauty!

[@langranator]

Yes, I’m sure it will be a proper nice car one day. Even if it takes me a few years and a bit of dough to get it all ‘spot on’ , it will be worth it!

[@paulbennell3313]

@@langranator Yeah, I love those wee things!

[@sayyedt.hussain791]

I think the engine sounded better than its original sound.

[@fonziebulldog5786]

Did the same once with a renovated Volvo B18 engine when the distributor was in the wrong place.

[@langranator]

Mmm.. I’m quite sure I’ve done it before in the past as well. I hate making the same mistake twice..

[@MyJon64]

The days when it was easy to mend your engine. For me anyway.