Cheapest Rolls Royce Silver Shadow in Europe - part 3 - Will it drive?

Will it drive? The challenge is to get this classic Rolls-Royce that I bought on the cheap to a drivable state. Doesn't have to be perfect, just has to run and drive. The main issues to be tackled are the engine choking up/dying and the hydraulic height-control system leaking. Can I get it drivable with a small budget, without spending a fortune?

[@axeljacobs9723]

One word of advice, when you rebuild any hydraulic component on these cars, always use RR components or parts from IntroCar especially O-rings for the height control valves, or you will break the valve when you put it back together. I know, I did this, and it cost me a fortune to replace the whole valve. You need to be very careful where u cut corners!

[@axeljacobs9723]

The SU carbs are much simpler to fix than you think. Get a book on these. The carbs have to come out. There is one center bolt which must be removed, and fuel lines removed.. then both SU carbs will come out as one unit. Then rebuild them. Most important is that each fuel bowl needle and seat are replaced. Then u need to replace each fuel jet. Each carb has one fuel jet. (So, total of 2 to get the job done). Finally, everything needs to be cleaned. Again, IntroCar in the UK should have all the parts you need. You don’t need to hire anyone to rebuild the carbs, u can do it on your own. Once the carbs are rebuilt and reinstalled, the fuel jets need to be properly adjusted. (Very easy on these old Shadows). Also, the air screws need to be adjusted. Finally, the auto-choke, is a very simple system. Make sure the choke heat pipe going to the exhaust is not broken. Good luck with it! Don’t be afraid of this car! It will run great, when you are done with it! I own 2 of these Shadows! Lovely vehicles!👍😊

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Thanks, appreciate the encouragement! Looks like I will indeed have to dig into the carbs.

[@kass9722]

nothing wrong with dis' cap/rotor arm...just scrape off the scale, your ignition timing is out, replace points/condenser. carbs have picked up dirt from fuel tank as you were force running on empty. "tuning" su carbs is a very simple process, you need to clean them & replace worn parts first. remove rat nest & check pipes/lines...i think most will need replacing, zinc plated steel or cupro nickel...dont use copper. you will need a proper flaring tool ( not chineese ) & bending tool. do not use with rear blanked off for too long, you might blow the distribution valve. for what you want it for....yes! i would say you are right, for a "small" spend ( say £1000 ) i think it's doable...to have a running driving vehicle.

[@Pierwejszon]

More of this pleas ! It'll be a fun and sometimes sad journey. Thumbs up

[@axeljacobs9723]

These cars are going up in value! Fix it correctly, and you will have a lot of fun with it! Thanks for your upload!👍

[@axeljacobs9723]

Be careful not to put the wrong brake fuid in this car, or it will eat through all rubber components, and your hydraulics will leak from everywhere.

[@daggggy]

Love your show keep up the good work very interesting I have a 1971 silver shadow

[@malcolmharvey397]

You need to check the carb dash pots have the correct level of oil AND viscosity. On an older engine use a finer oil than ordinary engine oil. It makes a lot of difference in the carb performance

[@oliveirainvestments2884]

Congrats mate... I'm very glad from your achievement, pretty exciting to see the next video and get more knowledge about our loved Shadows! There also to many envy around and comments to take your motivation. That means you are successful... Keep working with passion using coins and not banknote. When we have a brain the Rolls become indeed cheaper.... God bless u !

[@WeeShoeyDugless]

Hahaha...... It was a joke, right?

[@RebelwithaRolls]

keep it up mate - i know what you are going through !!!!!

[@hamishcruden7623]

Good on you... Great car... budget will be ok if you want a running car... look forward to watching upcoming videos!

[@simonatkinson2710]

Brilliant car - well done!

[@johnhansen4550]

You are doing the right thing- run and drive it.

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Yup, I'm not looking for a garage queen here :)

[@titaniam88]

Enjoying the channel - thanks - haven’t read all the comments so may be repeating things - am not a mechanic but an enthusiast - the petrol pump will click while is attempting to pump fuel and stop clicking when fuel line to carburettors is correctly pressurised if that helps - believe engine running problems is the auto choke - not sure on r r.system but it was common procedure to press the accelerator fully to set the auto choke before trying to start etc.

[@peterjones1354]

You need to replace plugs, leads and rotor and distributor cap, then clean petrol filters, plus use fuel system cleaner in petrol tank to clean system then try running again. If you just clean the carbs it may help. You need to check all 4 corners for leaks in both brakes and hydrolastic suspension. Then order parts and do jobs. You can replace brake/ suspension lines without taking out springs. If you do blank off pipes in suspension it will ride terribly right on springs only. Good luck but you may want to do some significant reading or utube research before you continue….

[@malcolmharvey397]

For what you paid it’s a brilliant starter!!!!

[@alancrisp1582]

As the saying goes - There is no such thing as a cheap Rolls_Royce, then and now. The most expensive thing you can ever buy is a cheap Rolls_Royce !!.........

[@scuderiadeipazzi6968]

And a Cheap Ferrari as well....

[@oakhillhouseaustraliabridg4600]

put oil in the top of the SU carbs unscrew the black plastic top caps and check the plunger oil level

[@axeljacobs9723]

The main reason it runs so rough is because your carbs are very dirty, and need to be properly rebuilt! If this were my car, this would be the first thing I would do! Second, weld the exhaust leak shut!🤣🤭😂

[@ron2256]

I'm amazed that you haven't caused a fire or explosion, sloshing all that petrol around indoors..

[@DenisEdwards-ls2de]

I wouldn't mess with the sunroof until you fully prepared..slide some wedges in from inside to hold it in position. And get some clear car wrap. Cut it 25 mm bigger than the opening and apply. This will seal it up from the rain. Then you can take it outside.

[@axeljacobs9723]

The brake pipe is easy to buy. Also, IntroCar in UK can sell you the end fittings. They maybe can also sell you the brake pipes. You will need to carefully bend the pipe, as you need. You can cheaply buy a bending tool.

[@dougbelanger3479]

New plugs will help whenever you can get them. The fouled plugs aren't burning the fuel. I replaced the plugs and wires (leads) in mine, runs smooth now. Fortunately, haven't had to rebuild the carbs yet. And, as axlejacobs commented, you can do the carbs yourself. Some good videos on KZbin for this. Check out Living with a classic, he works on Jaguars. They have the same carbs.

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Thanks! I did replace the plugs and it made a small difference, but the main issue still remained. Since I filmed this video, I've also started tackling the carbs and you guys are right - it's not rocket science! Stay tuned for my next video :)

[@nikjames2965]

Why the reluctance to check the carbs? SUs are a very clever but simple design.. there's not much to check... float height/ flow valve, dashpot oil.... there's only one jet!

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Thank you! This comment gave me the confidence to dig into the carbs... and it worked! It really isn't rocket science :) More info coming up in the next video!

[@DenisEdwards-ls2de]

I don't know if any body spotted it yet. But it was supplyed by Jack Barclay. This was a big Rolls Royce Bently dealership. Its a very old and prestigous dealership. Your car could have been bought by a famous film star. Rock star. This is probably where the sun roof was fitted as they have been building body's for Rolls Royce Bentlys from early 1920. Originaly you only purchased a chassis and running gear from RR B. Then it went for its body work at Park ward etc. maybe you can contact Jack Barclay and they give you info on the car. But probably not. Exlusive info. Wiki Jack Barclay Bently. Intresting read.

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Interesting! I'll see if I can contact them and get any info on the car. Thanks for noticing that!

[@otto16121970]

Oh boy, what a challenge you took on. One does not own a Rolls Royce, one is a caretaker, just to pass on the car to the next caretaker…

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

This is a simple problem. Clean up the points and cap, get new plugs and blast the card jets out with carb cleaner or let it run for a entire tank of gas with fuel system cleaner in the tank. It's most likely the ignition can't ignite the leaner mixture when you open the throttle.

[@pedrokd5439]

Fuel tank empty? Or so low that fuel can not be drawn from the tank?

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Yup, keep watching, that was indeed the issue when the car was not starting at all. But it wasn't the cause of the rough running and choking.

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

@BreatheScotland yup, I figured that out along the way :)

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

@BreatheScotland yup, I figured that out along the way :)

[@Sarmsmk677]

There’s two thin pipes on the right hand side of the engine, if you’re looking at it front on. Thin black pipes going to the manifold to the carb if damage or just old, it will not come off idol.

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Thanks for the comment. Are you referring to the "choke stove pipes"? Those have been replaced by the previous owner, but not with the correct metal pipes... they used rubber hoses which is not ideal. But it seems that they're working fine for now.

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

They arnt inboard brakes at all.inboard brakes are mounted right up by the diff,jaguars used to have them,some rovers.rolls royce have never had inboard brakes.the main advantage of inboard brakes is for ride smoothness.reduced unsprung weight.you will have your work cut out for you repairing this one.hope you manage it tho,theyre great cars,i have the silver spirit which replaced these.

[@MitchGrooms]

INCREDIBLE JOB. I do first drives all the times and it is freaky scary for sure.. I have a car channel here and i shared your channel with my other Rolls Friends.. BTW, which camera are you using to get so close?

[@BigDave1965]

The audio is an 8 track - it was a luxury system that pre dated the compact cassette player

[@RichPober]

The rubber fuel lines have perished due to the ethanol in E5 and E10 petrol. All classic cars need to have their fuel hoses upgraded to withstand ethanol based petrol, otherwise you'll end up with an engine fire. This is why insurance companies do not cover fires of classis cars these days.

[@charlesmarsh9608]

No unnecessary electronics helps.

[@garyhowtobluetoothjblheadp3583]

Boy,, hope you've got at least 20k to restore it?! Phew!

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

To restore it - yes. To just get it to a normal drivable condition - more like 3-4k, I think/hope :)

[@ringo196]

Clean the ignition parts reset the gaps clean the carbs so you have a base setting

[@fratboyz01]

Check and set your points clean them and there is a choke setting for winter and summer have a watch of Harry garage on his RR and his trip to the arctic circle his one over fuel it was points and carb

[@DimitarStanev]

Очертава се много интересна поредица :)

[@ringo196]

Inboard brakes are each side of the diff

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Good point, I stand corrected.

[@ferrochinabisleri1587]

20 euros for 8 NKG spark plugs? This was a bargain itself.

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Yeah, apparently those are cheap! Like literally 2.5 EUR per plug.

[@bartverhaagen]

Try Brabo cars in Hillegom in The Netherlands, I am 100% sure they have all the parts you need readily available !

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Nice! I just checked their site - they do have a lot of parts available, and they're in the EU! I might use them, thanks!

[@NewBeRVer]

Replace the muffler next.

[@axeljacobs9723]

Your auto-choke will not work correctly with a rubber hose connected to the exhaust. It has to be a steel pipe, like a brake pipe going from the exhaust to the choke!

[@1AEROSOL.1PUFF]

YOU MUST CHANGE ALL FLUIDS FIRST.

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Yup, good point, I did that after this video. Next video coming up soon :)

[@dimitrisbastas739]

If i were in interest for an s.s, i would buy the best, and most expensive.

[@ringo196]

Is this guy for real? Use brake pipe and a flaring tool to make it yourself!!!!!

[@kstacey3063]

NO FUEL!!!!!!

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Yup, keep watching - that was indeed the case

[@ringo196]

It's to rich mate

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

Yup, that's right, that's what it ended up being. I haven't edited the next video yet, but you'll see it there :)

[@WeeShoeyDugless]

What on earth are you wasting your time for on that heap of junk? A well looked after Rolls Royce costs a fortune to maintain/repair and run let alone a heap of crap like that car. Get a Mercedes, way better than these ever were.

[@ClassicAutoLtd]

I'm gonna try to get that heap of junk running & driving well, and we'll see if it's any good :)

[@WeeShoeyDugless]

@@ClassicAutoLtd Hope you have a good Bank ballance, it looks rotten and parts are stratuspherically expensive. Good luck.

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

​@@WeeShoeyDuglessyour dreaming,mercedes are cheap crappily built tat conpared to these

[@WeeShoeyDugless]

​@@ivanfernyhough3851 Hahaha. You obviously have never worked on either mate😂😂

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

Thats funny,not only do i actually own one,well a silver spirit but i allso maintain it myself wherever possible.guess your a yank,they love knocking british cars.