We look under the Riley RMB and try to get the brakes working

We’re back on the ‘52 Riley RMB trying to get it ready for the Columbus British Car Day coming up this weekend. Up until now we’ve confirmed that it will run relatively well, mostly hold coolant, and the clutch and fuel pump are working, but stopping seems to be where our luck runs out. Even though the wheel cylinders look pretty good, the master cylinder doesn’t seem to be pushing enough fluid for the brakes to actually stop the car. So we have our fingers crossed that a replacement master cylinder will do the trick. Will it make it to the show on Sunday?

[@chuckcollins8787]

Was great to see you at the show today! Was really something to see the attention this old gal got. Seemed like folks were milling around it all day long.

[@soup1448]

I like your passion for these cars

[@americanpatriot2422]

Always an outstanding video and presentation..

[@majorscope]

Great work my friend. Lovely to just get it going and driveable so you can take it to the odd show etc. Best wishes with it. Lovely old thing.

[@marcstannard6322]

I recently found your channel and am always excited when a new episode comes out.

[@JimsIfitaintbrokefixit]

Informative and entertaining.

[@rosasalas7208]

One thing you have to watch out for on the rear brakes are the adjuster wedges. They have a slightly off set of the part that touches on the adjuster cone, so they are both sided, and the front ones and the rear ones have a slightly different angle, so they MUST be put in the proper orientation or the slot will not line up with the web of the brake shoes. I've found that previous owners have ground the flats to match the angle instead of putting them in the right position. Took me a while to figure this out and get them oriented properly orient them on my car. By the way, I did a four wheel disc brake conversion on a RMD (DHC). It took a lot of design work to get it to work properly, but the customer was very pleased with the end results!

[@ThomasPrior-wv6zn]

HI just found you . and your riley rmb great video, allways learn new from vids, jan 2024 i bought a tired looking r m e 1.5 barn find only saw the video , so every thing crossed i bought her , had it trailord down to east sussex were i live. mmmmm . years sitting in the barn took its toll , the roof over the boot leaked so rain snow fell on the boot back window is ok though just the boot inside has a lot of rustand dirt back pass floor isnt there

[@BrianEdwards-eu4ms]

To answer your question about the freeze plug. Yes, there is a freeze plug behind the flywheel, and can only be serviced by pulling the transmission. Definitely a PIA Try leak fix and run the cooling system unpressurized and maybe it will seal up

[@bladerunner6282]

recently, after having replaced my brake shoes on an old MG, i found that they shoes were making very poor contact with the drums. bedding them in was all that was needed. ...a LOT of bedding in and readjusting as necessary along the way.

[@BrianEdwards-eu4ms]

The brake system has been totally removed and replaced with something different. Originally that car had hydraulic front brakes and mechanical rear brakes, with a really strange master cylinder that was suspended on the mechanical brake pull rod so as the mechanical rear brakes were pulled in then pressure was sent to the front hydraulic brakes.

[@ulischuster4060]

The the Riley Motor Club of Australia has some workshop manuals online.