Will it Start? Barn Find Austin A30 | Laid Up For 52 Years!

[@UKBarnFinds]

**UPDATE** Finished watching this episode? PLEASE check out the next one. We thing you'll like it! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp-2p3aJoZqqec0 Thank you for all the comments. The feedback and advice is proving to be very useful, yet again. For those of you new to the channel, or just this car, here are links to the previous 1954 Austin A30 episodes: 1. We Buy A Time Warp Austin A30 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3XWfI17fa6WiJI 2. First Wash in 52 Years - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lanVoIWEo5ijhqc 3. Amazing Austin A30 Progress Update! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/faLKomeIp9WKbK8 Thanks again, Claire & Elton

[@johndavis3284]

I like the 2cv you have does it start

[@richardlewis5316]

Where are you? I could see other old cars in your garage. I'd like to come look at them and even and do work on them for free as my modern car is too complicated. I found a Ford conversion in a farm. It had a fibreglass body called an EB60 I think - (not UB40!) Cable brakes so quite fun to drive but I drove it for 3 years. I'm in Derby

[@UKBarnFinds]

@@johndavis3284 - sure does. We've done a video on that one and will do another soon.

[@UKBarnFinds]

@@richardlewis5316 - I've just been looking at pictures of the Ford EB60 on Google. Cool looking thing! We're quite a way away, in Suffolk, but our A30 may well be on show up your way in 2024.

[@jameshughes2783]

Enjoyed watching your channel for the first time. However, I found it very frustrating because as soon as you turned the engine over with the plugs in, it was abundantly clear that there was zero compression! I was shouting at my iPad…”THERE IS NO COMPRESSION!” 😀. However, when an engine has been standing idle for so long it will probably be stuck compression rings and/or as someone has said, stuck valves the latter less likely because you would probably get contact between the piston crowns and the valves and I couldn’t hear anything like that. Clearly, it’s still an engine out issue but may just mean freeing up the rings then reassembling without spending too much on it. Glad you worked it out eventually. I’ll continue to watch your channel as I found it most entertaining!👍

[@MOTORSPORT401]

You might have sticky valves , take the rocker cover off and turn the engine over and see if all the valves are moving up and down , some of them might be stuck due to sitting for so long , also check the valves haven't been incorrectly adjusted

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. I’m reading a few similar suggestions, which is very interesting and makes me glad that I put the question out there. Being a hobby mechanic, I’m often stuck, so it’s great to hear back from people who’ve done the things I’m yet to do. - Elton

[@Ragnar8504]

6D Diesels just had a video on a Reliant engine that's been sitting since 1986 and he had to beat some of the valves with a hammer to get them moving again. Absolutely zero compression doesn't sound like worn rings to me, you should get something in that case. The starter did sound a bit off from the get go, turning too fast and smoothly for an engine with good compression so I had my suspicions about the state of that engine.

[@christianbattestin9747]

I think you're right. It sounded like it didn't have any compression.

[@philtucker1224]

Probably easier just to whip off the cylinder head and have a look!

[@davecooper3238]

Lost my virginity in an A30.

[@JesusTorres-qr1gz]

Standart procedure when dealing with engines that sat for long time, check for engine fluids, engine seized, cylinder compression and spark at spark plugs, fuel coming into the carburetor or fuel injectors, then try it, respectfully sir, most kind of you for sharing this video with us, blessings to you and your love ones, from the endless summer paradise Puerto Rico Jesus Torres.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. It’s great to know that our videos are being seen in Puerto Rico. I think the only thing we didn’t test, until right at the end, was the compression. We’d been so lucky up until that point, as everything worked. We still hope to have the car running soon.

[@JesusTorres-qr1gz]

@@UKBarnFinds most kind of you gentleman, at my 71 years of age often I watch those videos which I enjoy to my best and any technical support that I can provide to anyone at the global level for sure I know that it's welcome, blessings to you and your love ones, my gratitude for your kindness sir.

[@michaelmayo3127]

No compression, check for value sticking before removing the power unit. It's blowing up through the carburettor. Take the rocker cover off and see how many intake valves are open.

[@darrylmcleman6456]

It cranks too fast! Not enough compression! CHEERS from HERE!

[@philcarter3789]

Hi might be just compression rings are stuck

[@robertwells1650]

The two of you make a great team! Great to see your faces when driving the black A30. Hopefully the green one is just sticky valves or a blown head gasket. Keep the videos coming! Cheers

[@Paul-dz6fs]

You don't need to pull the engine. From previous videos, you put diesel or paraffin in the bores without leaking into the sump, which means that the rings are holding compression. When you were cranking with the Easy Start, did you notice it blowing out instead of sucking ? .. this would tell me inlet valve or cam timing issues, which I would investigate first. As others have said, check for sticky valves and valve clearances first and then maybe cam timing lastly. It did try and fire, hence why it was spitting back. As a quick check, put your fingers over the air intake on the carb, you should feel whether the air is sucking or blowing. This should clarify my thoughts. If your outro of the rockers is this car, valve 4 is stuck for a start ;) It may pay to remove the rocker shaft and get the pistons halfway through their travel and gently bounce the valves with a hammer (with lubrication on the stems) .. it may free them up without stripdown.

[@iainmacleod4007]

I agree, could be stuck or damaged valves. Pistons, bores and rings may well be ok. Put some parafin in the bores and this should free off stuck rings.

[@philtucker1224]

Agreed! (Always try the simple fixes first before committing loads of money unnecessarily)

[@edwinmalan5142]

Age could have caused the Rings to fall flat...maybe ? Hoping the other guys are right...

[@samrodian919]

@@edwinmalan5142whatever do you mean by "Fall flat"?

[@stevenholton438]

@@samrodian919 lol

[@nickb5391]

@11.11, the hose clip is standard fitment to stop the oil filter from unscrewing itself, there should be a bracket that it goes around & when the oil filter is on it secures it all together

[@PaulinesPastimes]

As soon as you cranked over the barn find you could tell it had no compression just from the sound of it. I think it will be fine, as others have said, it's probably stuck valves. Wasn't it blowing the starting fluid back out through the carby? The black car is gorgeous and Claire seems right at home in it and drove it like she had owned it for years. It's definitely her car. 😊

[@timjames7869]

Exhaust valves stuck open. Remove cylinder head

[@markallchorn2438]

Love the little 1955 A30 Don't think I've seen a Black one with a blue interior before . As other people have suggested pop the rocker box off on the green one and check the valves before taking the engine out. Great to see these lovely little cars getting KZbin time. Well done. Looking forward to the next one 👍

[@nealeburgess6756]

I had the same thought as @motorsport401. May well be sticking valves. Take off the rocker cover and see if they all go up and down. It could be that your WD40 might be needed to help free them off. Maybe tap them gently. Maybe heat. Once you get them moving you might get enough compression to get it running. Don't be alarmed if the compression is considerably less than the black one. Maybe the piston rings are all stuck too. If you can get it to run then you might get further improvements in compression. By the way, I loved your happy faces when driving the black one. You can't help smiling when you drive an old Austin. (Mine is about 20 years older than yours). I reckon that black one looks to be really good value. I wish I was there to help you. (I'm in Spain). Best wishes to you.

[@nickb5391]

@26.28, a C1565 carb is for a 948cc engine, my betting is it's got an A35 engine in it, if it's got the hanging type oil filter it is

[@bryjan51]

As others have said, rocker cover off and see what's what, valves sticking in guides etc?? Another great video with the two of you.👍👍

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. At the end of the video, there is a very short clip of the rocker cover off. I got Claire to add it just before she uploaded this, as it may give a clue as to what’s wrong. Please let me know if it helps. I can only see three rockers moving.

[@rossmclaren71]

Definitely stuck valves … spray the valve springs woth wd40 and tap them with a hammer over and over till you see them start to move again. Spray all the rocker shaft as well 👍

[@KiwiStag74]

Great to see the A30 bug has bitten you well and truly. They are wonderful little cars and so under-rated as a character-filled box of fun when it comes to driving a classic. That little black one is a honey, although she's not as original as the green one. I like how she still has the trafficators in use and I like the blue seats with the black body, although from factory, it would have had the option of red or grey. I especially love the fact that that one has opening rear quarter light windows - a rarely ticked option on the sheet - and she has factory fitted Smiths heater, so a bonus in the coming northern hemisphere winter (and if it doesn't produce heat, try back-flushing it, as this works wonders!). The 80mph speedo from an A35 is a bit of a giggle if she still has the 803 and standard diff, but she is a good tidy car and sounds magnificent - even the 1st gear idler (which is often damaged through abuse) sounds perfect! The sounds of 2nd and 3rd took me back to many a happy trip in the family car too. Speaking of gearboxes, the trick with the gear change is to time when you pull the stick into the next gear to match with roughly the engine revs that the gear will be starting at - ie: rev-matching. The old synchros in that box aren't like modern ones and like a good second of time between being in one gear and selecting the next and quick changes will result in you being told off quite soundly by the box. First and reverse have no synchro whatsoever and people pushing them back into the straight cut gear or high speed / prolonged use of the gear is what results in a worn / damaged and noisy idler. With the lack of compression and the tag-on video of stuck valves, there are many ways of freeing them up and the internet is awash with videos of people that have conflicting views - as I am sure you've seen and heard / read. From experience, I have had a 948cc out of an A35 that had a stuck valve after sitting in a garage for 15 years or so. All that was required was a tap on the top of the rocker where it meets the valve and the valve went down and popped up again...and of course, she was away and laughing on all four after that. However, yours present a minor dilemma with at least a couple of them as they look like they are stuck open rather than closed and there is a possibility that they don't have much (if any) more travel before they bottom out on the spring. Now, learned scholars would have you pull the head off, take it all apart carefully, grind the valves and seats, lap the valves in on the seats, clean all the passages and reassemble. This of course is the most correct way of doing it. However, before you pull the head off, take the rocker assembly off (as you will need to remove the rocker assembly and pushrods to take the head off the block anyway), then soak all valves down with some WD40. Make sure you get inside the valve springs so that the penetrating oil gets down in the valve guides to do its job. Give it about an hour and repeat the lubrication, then give it a couple of hours to do its thing. Now, gently tap on the stuck valves starting with #1 exhaust and work your way to the back. When you hit the top of the valve, made sure that your hammer (or other large heavy implement) is hitting it flat on the top of the valve stem so that you don't damage the edge of the top of the valve - or worse, bend the stem or break the valve itself. Repeat the tap several times before giving up. If you are lucky, the first tap will break the valve or stem free of the crud holing it and she will snap back to the top. A stuck valve makes a dull "thack" noise when you hit it. A valve that is free makes a "ping" sound as the valve bounces down and returns on the spring to hit the seat. There is the possibility that you may push the valve down and it not return. In this case, tap a medium-sized flat blade screwdriver between the bottom and second ringlets of the valve spring and then try to lever it up. If she won't budge, then the head has to come off so you can try tapping it back......but that had to happen anyway if you were going to lap them in anyway, right? The valves still have to be free-moving in the valve guides to be able to grind seat / valve and lap them in, so you've lost nothing and gained a bit of experience. If you are only left with a couple that aren't playing ball and coming back to top, then try more lubrication and time. One can never under-estimate the value of the ol' magic water, WD40! Hope it goes well and all the very best of luck! Hope you get the little black one on the road and you can get out and enjoy it soon.

[@jesscourt9068]

With a pump oil can, mix oil and a splash of diesel together and squirt a few times down into spark plug holes and leave for a few days.Rocker box off, check to see if the valves are moving up and down, as they may be stuck. If they are, then they are not sealing, look to see pushrods are moving up and down. It is unusual for there to be no compression, so try with a pump oil can through plug holes, several pumps per cylinder and try compression test again. If it improves it tends to signify piston rings stuck or badly worn. It is an A series engine and nursing back to life is not rocket science, and they are pretty strong old units.

[@UKBarnFinds]

This is a great reply. Thank you. We’re reading all the replies over the next few days and formulating a plan of attack. Comments like this are so helpful. Thanks again.

[@nickb5391]

always use mineral 20/50 in it don't use modern synthetic oil in it as it wasn't designed for it

[@harrymorton1274]

Great wee engine ,terrible brakes , shock absorbers were lever arm on the front often needed topped up. 2 nd gear would jump out. Old indicators mine was converted from semaphore. Door straps would brake . During my ownership front spring broke then the rear . The brake master cylinder is a nightmare the shaft would seize. The clutch would be difficult in reverse , I eventually changed it ( the clutch) ate exhausts I replaced it twice during my 2 years of ownership. They did rust espically the floors and front of the rear spring hangers. Still as it was my first car I cherished it. Went from it to a VW beatle whole different car. O and I also owned a Morris minor traveller after the beatle simple car easy to work on lots of similarities to A30.

[@chrisryder1073]

Could be just gummed up rings I would pour a lot of wd 40 down the bores and let it sit for a few days and see if the rings loosen up

[@carllockpick6179]

May be a daft question, did you put a lead addictive in the petrol?

[@tonymccarron3145]

Its blowing easy start back through the carb You have stuck valves Hopefully a 10 minute (free) fix

[@LondonPianoman]

Broken timing chain maybe? (can be replaced without taking engine out) could be why it got put in the barn all those years ago and not tooo expensive either remove the rocker cover and no movement of the valve rockers would be the symptom

[@TonyCartwright-w7s]

I guess you know by now but on your barn find A30 there are problem withe valves, they are probably just stuck open, take the rocker off a n have a look

[@krisyung]

Nice Vidio Thankyou do not know much about Austin A30"s as liked Sixties up Ford"s but think they were Nick named Peanuts as the Small Shape resembled a Peanut ? ......😆😆

[@anniechrisbendy6000]

This car has charm charisma no rip-off built in dealer con tricks dpf chipped failure scams..... over tech,d money stealing cons.

[@mountainman-c7b]

its got sticking valves so head off and derust the valves easy even possable to reuse the head gasket if you are careful mini 850 head are the same cheers from tasmania australia

[@briggaskin]

Hope you are using lead additive in the fuel,and also E5 super. Those cars will not like ethanol one bit.

[@jonlowther3623]

it did look like the exhaust was coming out of the carb air intake...stuck valves or valves that need grinding in

[@MikeBanks2003]

These were great little cars. I have started a few cars that have not run for many years, and I never try to start them dry. I put diesel oil into the cylinders, then with plugs out, turn the engine using a large power drill after OVERFILLING the sump with reclaimed oil until oil is pretty much up to the dipstick hole. Make sure the radiator is full of water and water pump is not obviously leaking. It is often a good idea to add a little soluble oil if the pump has not turned for a long time. Turn engine slowly, so the oil does not get sloshed around too much, and do this for a few minutes--so the mains and big ends are lubed up under a no-load condition. So now the bores and bearings are lubed up, drain the sump and re-fil to the dipstick mark with oil. Some engines had SU electric fuel pumps, some use diaphragm pumps. If your engine has a diaphragm pump, as like as not it will need a new diaphragm and valve kit, they are not expensive, so it is as well to do it now because the old one will not last long anyway, Not only that, a leaking diaphragm will allow fuel into your sump. Drain the fuel tank and add new fuel, about two gallons, and some water absorbent as well, Fit new fuel filter. Drain carburettor float bowl, and since it does not tale long, you might as ell clean the fuel jets. Some carburettors and pumps are SU--the dashpot probably needs some cleaning out and new oil. Yours looks like a Zenith carb. Check the fuel jets and give the carburettor bowl a good clean. They are about the easiest carburettor to work on. The jet key is one of the float bowl bolts. Now you are ready to start, so I use the header tank and gravity to start the engine. Once it starts, the fuel pump should discharge into your container. That gets rid of any rotten fuel and rust in the fuel lines. Let it run for a twenty to thirty seconds and if this is the case, and it runs OK you can then connect the fuel lines to the carburettor float chamber, Drain the float chamber of any water and debris. Change the oil filter and you are about good to go. Now, if the engine does not start, and your float bowl is full, it is your ignition system that is the problem. Begin by checking the points, then of one gets spark there, the plugs, then if no go, check the leads. Seldom is it the coil, but if it is, it is probably non-resistor type. Ignition problems on these early vehicles are easily fixed--and another source of grief on old cars is the spark-quench capacitor. That is more likely a cause of trouble than a coil. Have fun--I know I always did with my Riley 9's and Wolseleys, Austins and Ladas

[@samrodian919]

@MikeBanks2003 what a lot of good, sensible advice sir!

[@angelsone-five7912]

Sweet, take the rocker cover off and see what the valves are doing, a few blows with a persuader could be the answer.

[@iainmacleod4007]

I would have done a compression test before even trying to sort out the ignition issues. That engine does not sound right as it is spinning over.

[@marktaylor3180]

Sticking valves would be my guess as soon as you turned it over I knew there was no compression

[@allanedwards5349]

I've owned and worked on a good few of these old A series engines. If that is an original 803cc 3 gear A30 then that is not an original style oil filter. The original wasn't a disposable type, it had a central long bolt through the filter bowl and a disposable paper filter inside.

[@JustAlanJohn]

Goldseal engine recon these A35 would do 35/40 MPG

[@roberthatfull3816]

Theres one of these pancaked flat on my freinds land a huge oak tree squashed it and a ford consoul in the 87 storms i found the grill in the 90s and mounted it on a plauqe for his grandfather as it was crazily undamaged .

[@UKBarnFinds]

That was one hell of a storm. I remember it well 😳

[@ClassicCarCave]

I would imagine after 52 years the valves will be in very poor condition. I would take off the cylinder head and check before taking the engine out then if the head is OK you will know it‘s the piston rings or the bores are bad. As your going to take out the engine anyway you have lost no time. Cheers Dave

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. We’re going to read all the comments and not rush in, but your train of thought does seem to be the way to go, judging by other replies.

[@robreuler144]

Very fun to watch you and Claire work.

[@bobcooke6346]

May not be pistons/rings could be stuck valves ?

[@sibuggs8618]

nah no engine out its thev head needs a rebuild ..send it off and un lead it too.

[@gbentley8176]

All excellent comments here. A series are so rugged and easy to work on, so do not worry. My first driving car was an austin seven running chassis with a sofa on it. Aged 8 birthday present to run in the fields. Then Moggie, A35 van, A50. Driving these 60 years back was slow but they did the job. Great videos and good honest tinkering. Thank you for posting.

[@jackhenshaw8651]

check the rockers are working, then head off and do the valves

[@jamesconnors4297]

I could watch & listen to Claire all day long :) and the Austin A30 is a cracking little car. very true what they say about what goes out of fashion etc

[@garycamara9955]

It needs a dual carb setup a header and a 731 cam in it.

[@andrewmalyon5699]

Loved the video on the A30's, what fun little cars, Claire's face when she was driving the black one made the video for me,she was genuinely loving it.

[@phillipclaridge3112]

They are really sweet little engines. I cut my teeth on rebuilding these when I was young (many moons ago). As others have suggested, it might be a simple case of sticky valves which you can check very easily. If so, you ought to be able to sort it fairly easily. I really love Clair's enthusiasm for you cars - my partner will only drive her car and moan if it won't go!!!

[@lablackzed]

Same here work a lot on these when I was young ford pops /Morris minors/Alvis /Humber's /Not like today's crap .👍

[@fifidear-t7t]

Remember, a car won't run without electricity 😂

[@philcolledge6984]

Great video. Seems like previous owners loved and used it alot, before it was suddenly taken off the road. Could have been because of the engine problem you have now discovered. Since there is no compression at all on any cylinder, I'll guess at a broken timing chain. Suggestions in other comments are also good possibilities

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. We’re going to digest all the comments to see where to go next. So glad we stopped and uploaded the video, even though I was a bit deflated this week, as it’s providing so much in the way of helpful feedback.

[@stephenwest9757]

You can hear the Barnfindvhas no compression as it just goes to fast and a continuous whiring. The black one has the proper pulsing sound of compression. Have you tried putting some oil down the bores as they may be dry. But sticking valves or rings are probable but you are jumping the gun talinking about new pistons. As it was siezed it is possible the rings are just stuck in their grooves. Butif it is valves you could just remove the rocker cover and free them by tapping them without taking the head off which you would for the rings.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Hope you’ve had a chance to see the follow-up video. You’re spot-on! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp-2p3aJoZqqec0

[@S2NAZ]

Is everyone in England as nice and fun as you two? That was very entertaining and honestly the laughter is really enjoyable. I sure wish I were nearer to help you both wrench on those old memories. Cheers! ❤

[@DerekGardiner72]

That’s a gold seal replacement engine on the black one

[@jontaylor1652]

More brilliant stuff from you two, I love it. Thanks. I'm wondering if the black A30 has got a BMC Gold Seal reconditioned engine in it. I'm not saying it has, but going back a few thousand years I used have around 10 Austin A 60 Cambridge and Morris Oxfords, a couple of them had a gold painted rocker cover which I later found out that the gold ones were fitted to factory reconditioned 'Gold Seal' engines. I went on to buy three of those engines through a BMC (British Leyland by then) Dealership and those three did come with the gold rocker cover and to be honest I don't remember seeing them on any other Austin/Morris apart from the re-fit ones. This may not be the case with an A30 of course and I'm not sure how you'd check it out these days. Love you two, great video.

[@UKBarnFinds]

It’s very possible. The green one has a gold seal engine. When I’m up at the workshop next (probably in the morning!), I’ll take a look at the engine number. Thanks so much for the support; we both felt that this video has shown a bit more of ‘us’, which can be a bit daunting on KZbin.

[@Truerealism747]

Got one in the shed decades engine may go in again one day so many projects good video

[@jagvette1]

I see the black one has a Gold Seal replacement engine

[@101088Albert]

What a wonderful couple, just found your channel. Has to subscribe , very entertaining.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you so much. We read every comment and ones like this make KZbin really rewarding for both of us.

[@Peter_Vidgeon]

Does anybody else miss the smell of five-star?

[@manuelstarr3602]

Surprise me if it needs a rebuild. Maybe the valve timing or perhaps the timing gear.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Some valves were stuck. I’m hopeful it’ll run as is soon. 🤞🏻

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Sounds like no compression on any cylinders as the engine spins most likely through stuck valves which is hardly surprising !.Remove the valve rocker cover and check for valve rocker movement .I would be inclined to remove the rocker shaft complete by removing pillar nuts , lift away.Squirt WD 40 in through the valve springs towards the guides , let soak then strike valve stems with a PLASTIC mallet , not hammer !.If your lucky , they may free off and you will sense when they are .It's worth a try but may require the head to come off but don't feel the engine is totally in need of overhaul and the valves may be serviceable after freeing off.I've just done a ' 61 Mini , not run since 1974 and it's all original !.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you, Roger. That gives us a lot to work with. Very much appreciated! Is your Mini on KZbin? We’d. Love to see it. We’re a bit Mini mad. The green 850 that you may have spotted in the workshop is mine. I need to get the clevis pin out of the clutch pedal next week. Should be simple, but it looks like the master cylinder has been leaking down onto it for years and it’s pretty stuck. Claire has a Clubman Estate, as well as a project Mini Designer Mary Quant. Before we started doing KZbin this year, I hoped to buy a 1960 Mini 850. I really wish I’d bid a bit harder now. Proper old Minis are gorgeous. Cheers, Elton

[@mikebransden452]

​its stuck valves

[@johnpritchard2772]

Hello both, really enjoyed watching you trying to get the engine running. Surprised that you did not measure the oil when putting it into the engine? Anyhow, to simply say this; If you think the car is worth the exspence (?) get a "short engine" which has been machined / reconditioned and have your cyclinder head reconditioned too! You useually exchange your short engine block (crank, conrods and pistons) for the reconditioned unit. I am sure that the "A35/40" club will advise you on who to see and the adverage costs(?). Oh, just loved the short journey in the black car - suggest you clean out the carburator / jets and float bowl. Best wishes from Lincolnshire.

[@Ragnar8504]

I'd suggest starting with the easy things - check if all the valves move, if they don't, pull the head, clean all the valves and lap them in, then put everything back together. Shouldn't cost much in terms of materials. If all the valves open and close and you get something like 30 on the compression tester pour some oil into the cylinders and test again. If that brings up your numbers then it's time to think about an engine rebuild but not before.

[@carllockpick6179]

Put a couple of squirts of oil in the spark plug holes, and re pressure test, if it goes up, its the piston rings. May be worthwhile checking the vales are seating first.

[@michaelkeen5010]

Love both of your A30’s, I had a ‘56 model 2 door, in the turquoise blue colour with the metal sunvisor and the optional heater.

[@bobspeller2225]

If you are to rebuild the engine, for the stake of originally it will need to be the current engine etc. I expect it could be done, you wont know until you take the head off. it;s too good not to. Have a great Christmas Bob ( it could just the head gasket or the piston rings or a rebore. ??

[@UKBarnFinds]

Hi Bob, please check out the next video in the series when you have time. We think you’ll like this one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp-2p3aJoZqqec0 Merry Christmas, Elton & Claire

[@UKBarnFinds]

Hi Bob, please check out the next video in the series when you have time. We think you’ll like this one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp-2p3aJoZqqec0 Merry Christmas, Elton & Claire

[@kevinmartin3859]

A great video i hope you can get the car running it would be so nice to hear it work after all the work you have done trying to get it working 😊😊

[@nickb5391]

@49.08, looks like the piston rings have stuck while it was seized, you may be able to free them off with care once you've took them out, only head & sump off job & then you can get the pistons & rods out rather than take the engine out

[@glennwoods2462]

Very enjoyable video, thanks... Glad that youse bought the black one to enjoy, clever thinking... they are quite sporty vehicles... Some weeks are like that, everything runs out, don't work and such...crack on, you're both doing your best.... Cheers, from down under...🙂🙏👍🏼🇳🇿

[@stevehopkinson4871]

Came across this vid tell you something very interesting I’m going to look at videos when I’ve watched this one I will go as far to say I’m going to subscribe 👍

[@stephen579]

Check that you don't have a sticking valve, take out the plugs pour in some diesel and leave it for a few days, it might be sticking rings.

[@MarkHarveyArt]

My dad was always telling me to make sure any open orifices had a rag in them… e.g. carb intakes, open oil filler caps etc etc… only takes a small washer, nut of other bit of detritus to ruin hours of work. I guess perhaps during his working career it must have happened to him or some of his colleagues.. otherwise interesting videos.

[@UKBarnFinds]

There usually would be a rag over the rocker gear, carb and any other exposed areas. Things are a little different when filming, to make it more interesting for KZbin.

[@MarkHarveyArt]

Understood... and with my luck any dropped bolts/nuts always end up dead centre underneath the car so you have to get down on your hands and knees and use a long screwdirver to try and retrieve said bolt/nut. :-)@@UKBarnFinds

[@ianfields6730]

There many reasons that you could be losing compression, some of which will not break the bank. Head gasket or sticky valves can cause loss of compression. Also when you crank the engine over is there excessive pressure coming from the dip stick that would possibly suggest the rings are passing. Did you check all cylinders?

[@grayfool]

I would remove the head first. You can see the state of the cylinders and check for stuck valves. It's an easy job on the A series engines.

[@marcduthie4327]

A bit sad about the engine. Take the rocker cover off and check valves aren't stuck. We had a few when I was at the engine shop. The second gear may well not have syncro so double clutch may help. Love both these cars and all your video's here in Australia. Marc

[@harrymorton1274]

Remember you can start them with a starting handle

[@Vekaer]

The great Ole crank handles

[@TheSiruncle]

Another rocker cover off, to check valves suggestion. Could possibly progress to head off, if valves are all moving, to check the underside of the head, and have a look at the top of the pistons. You'll then be able to see the state of the combustion chambers too. Head off, isn't particularly hard, nor is refitting it. It's only really nuts and bolts...

[@mv4ago]

It's very unusual for all the cylinders to have zero compression. Take the rocker cover off, crank the engine over and check that the valves are opening and closing.

[@johnmccann1960]

My Grandad loved his Austins, he had an A35 and A40 Farina through the late 60's to 1975 when he passed away at a relatively young age, I was 15 at the time and he was my Hero. Watching you work on the A30 brough back so many memories of watching Grandad work on his Cars in the street and helping him. I learnt so much from him about cars and life. I'm 64 now and still remember him covered in oil and dirt with a cup of strong tea in one hand and a spanner in the other like it was yesterday. Thank you.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you for that. It’s comments like this that make KZbin so rewarding for us.

[@wamgoc]

What a fabulous channel! I’m hooked!!! Great if you could get it running and usable! Leave it as it is and enjoy!!!

[@rodmintern]

😁Hello. Where are you located. I`m in Kent. just asking would you like any assistance with your projects. watching you with the A30/35. and the "A" Series Engine...so Easy.. have Rebuilt many of these.used on the Austin and Morris Models. even the Mini. which they put Transverse......Regards.R.M.😀

[@eddtemperley2421]

I would suggest you run the black A30 and leave the green one as a barn find and work of art - which was your plan A. She's so original and it would be a shame to replace parts just to get her to start. And replace even more parts to run her - tyres, brakes, fuel lines, tank and so on. Just oily rag her to keep the surface rust at bay and keep all the original parts as they are. She is beautiful just the way she is.

[@tobybarker6808]

great video. I hate to be That Guy, but you're asking for trouble wearing a hoodie with dangly strings. Clearly youve never become wrapped in a pulley but one day......its not pretty.

[@UKBarnFinds]

I agree. I shouldn’t be wearing it.

[@davidbroadbent2529]

Good luck with getting your beauty running. A year or so back I acquired an A30 that had not run for over 40 years. Unlike so many uTuber's "Lets try and and get XYZ running after its sat for over +20 odd years, that just turn a engine over with little little or no engineering knowledge" and crank the engine (Ok some take plugs out) without taking a basic set of steps to safeguard what is left of the engines internal moving surfaces; I do the following:- 1. The biggest 1st step most don't do is prime the engines lubrication system. Imagine for instance you have sat BARE bottomed on one end of a Level seesaw for 40 or 50 years (other end has a balance weight). Then along comes some Person whom starts Cranking a handle connected to central pivot pin. At that instance your inner butt moves back and forth, but the outer cheek skin had grown to or bonded with the wood of the seesaw. Needless to say you get your bum skin torn, possibly off. This is near what happens to the bearing shells around the crankshaft. The lube has dried out, and the metal has in some cases bonded. So what do you do... you obviously remove the plugs. Then you work out how to connect an external lubrication pump to the engines main oil gallery. Then spend the next few days priming the engine for 10 or more minutes. After the 3 or 4th priming session, then start to gently rock the crank. It could take you a week or more. Look also that you are getting clean oil to upper engine motion parts. Bore scope it necessary. Then when you feel the engine turning freely, can you consider fuel and sparking it. Many engines have the Oil pressure Switch after the Oil Filter. So you can take filter off, make a blanking plate to stop oil backfeeding... then remove oil pressure switch and connect your remote oil pump to here. Use low pressure to start. I have gauge on this priming line. First drain the sump, then leave plug out and have a clean pan under to view the oil coming out from your priming flush. Depending on the type of bearing material and seals used in original vehicle I choose different types of oil to use as an initial flush - crank bearing lubing. Also I have on occasion used quite fine low viscosity oils 10 grade hydraulic or like for the initial 4 or 5 pumping's. Only then going to 20 or 30sae oil for at least 2 more flushes ( each around 2L or more depending on engine size) I have owned quite a few Vintage and Veteran cars in my life. My 4Cyl 8L PetL made on 8th March 1904 I didn't have option to do the above, as it was a Dry sump drip fed engine. Plus it had not run in over 80 year. So it got dismantled fully. Cleaned, measured, assembled and cautiously started. Sadly that was back at time of Beta and VHS tapes only. One day I may find the tape we filmed its first run. Am I qualified to in this field to give the above advice.. Well am now 72yo. At 19 I did a 5 year apprenticeship as a Caterpillar Higher level Diesel mechanic. Later in life I worked for many years for Rolls Royce as a Marine engineer on large marine engines. And in the last 10 years I have worked hands on for 2 different Space Rocket Companies on the engine systems. , BTW What my A30 needed was a new coil, plug lead both ends changing (kept the leads), a new condenser. I lightly filed the points surfaces and re gaped the points. A battery, as there was not one.. and I dismantled and cleaned the carby. Was gummed up bad. I think the diaphram in the petrol pump is faulty, so to start it I just fed the carby from a small petrol reservoir with fuel enough to gravity feed. I removed the brake shoes, when I had the wheels off to fitted 4 s/h tires {15% life left} (cost about 1kg of fresh home grown strawberries to tire shop) . and after about 30 mins of running engine was able to move car under its own power. Finding reverse was fun. Mine is a very early one and you have to LIFT stick to then get reverse selected. I then drove it slowly home with Heavy Landrover behind and tow rope between. Landrover was my brakes. Finally it has sat for about 12 months now, started average once a month, and in last few weeks I noticed Radiator has started leaking midway down on engine side. So that next to fix. Then do brakes and get fuel pump running then take it for a drive again. BTW I found my engine and chassis number on a sort of plastic/ivory plate that was affixed with 4 rivets to top side of right sun visor. It was buckled in slight roll shape... DO NOT .. DO NOT try to flatten it as I got told the crack and split in 2.. Someone in UK will have experience in best method to flatten it. again good luck regards David in Australia

[@BelfastMurf]

I remember a friend of mine telling me that he was picking up parts at the motor factors, when a very well dressed fella came in asking for parts for an A35. Seamus asked him did he have an A35. Yer man looked him up & down, taking in his oil stained overalls & with a look of distain answered with a curt yes before turning away. “His loss”, Seamus told me, “I’ve 3 or 4 owners manuals I’d have given him.”! A30s are great little cars. It’ll be nice to follow this one’s progress.

[@chinbin2006]

Hi Guys, you have stuck valves. One clue is the speed of the cranking, another. the easy start being blown out the carb when cranking. Pop off the valve cover and find which valves are stuck. A little lube and patience will free them off. There is a very small chance of a broken timing chain but with the fuel pump working, I doubt it. Talk off engine rebuild??? no way, get those valves sorted. Good luck !!!!

[@fifidear-t7t]

Used to fix my own cars, with the help of a car manual. You can get a car manual from Halfords. Always ordered car parts from Halfords, in the days when they actually used to stock parts on the shop floor. Never used a garage, as they got the wrong parts and charged for labour without actually rectifying the problem, three days later. Sometimes, they where clueless. I would fix it in an afternoon. Makes good videos, by dragging it out, though. Remember, a car won't function without electricity 😅

[@forestsantos9828]

great video, in regards to that oil filter, i once worked on a Scottish aviation inc. B125 Bulldog airplane, and it had a similar looking oil filter that was reusable, the clamp held the 2 halves together and had a cleanable screen assy. inside. might be worth looking at a bit closer

[@manuelstarr3602]

Good girl, she drives like "Stirling Mess". Anytime you start with these things it's always a good thing to put a bottle of Petrol and give it a gravity feed. But first check the spark and Carbon Leads breaking down. Great little cars. Thanks for the video. Is the timing 180 out?

[@terryprice7459]

Just found your channel, excellent.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. We appreciate the support 👍🏻

[@michaelmayo3127]

The Black car is on its second engine. Its a Morris rebuild.The ignition needs tobe timed and it probably hasn't had a new capacitor in years. Weak spark, well it' more about the spark duration than anything else, the duration of the spark is determined by the F-value of the capacitor; E.g F determines the number on microseconds it takes, for the capacitor to discharge. The ignition points determine the capacitor charge load, too wide a gap over-charge, too small a gap under-charge.The right gap gives a good fuel burn. Then you have to check for ignition's advancement and retardation, too advanced and the engine will knock=fuel-gas not fully compressed when ignited. Retarded= fuel-gas is ignited too many crankshaft-degrees, after full compression.

[@hughgordon6435]

My pop bought an Austin A 30 many moons ago, it had been used as a chicken hutch,but he replaced its engine with a Moggie1100 , but forgot to change the radiator xap, soo the Morris engine would run , but the A 30 radiator cap was not compatible with the Morris engine??? Several days of a funky engine???

[@paulshubsachs4977]

I passed my driving test in one of these, with dodgy synchro. However, I am constantly dismayed at how many people insist on forcing derelict engines into life without a full stripdown. There will almost certainly be crud in the crankshaft oil passages, combustion chambers, sump, cooling system and fuel system. Even spinning the poor old thing on the starter is a gamble;...unless you are sure that when it was laid-up it was basically sound. Would you drag a retired athlete from his potting shed and make him run a Marathon? Cars are human as well.

[@bishen67]

This is just my era, I find myself showing at the screen telling you to do/ not do this or that. A couple of annoying things, the throttle should be open when compression testing, do you have to say “ Claire” so often , we now all know her name. Lastly, why done farms tidy up and sort the junk out, plus , why do people not tidy up in their garage, instead of stepping over stuff, and working in increasingly smaller spaces. Spend a day, half a day, a few hours cleaning up, putting rubbish in the bin, making your workspace less awkward and dangerous , make it look more professional . Apart from that, this is just my channel.

[@jagvette1]

I would guess stuck valves, when you were turning it over other than when to fuel ignited you were getting pressure back through the carb, which you should not get, therefore head off and valve job.

[@taxidude]

Could tell with the hand crank there was no compression. Head off to check the valves but would they all be stuck open? Oil down the bores to see if they give you some compression first then it's your rings/pistons. Personally, curiosity would have me stripping and rebuilding that engine.

[@brianballard5509]

You're going to have to drop the tank and have it sealed. Blow the fuel line out as best you can and rebuild the fuel pump and carburetor. If it were me I'd pull the cylinder head completely and have it re-qualified. It's definitely sticky valves. Banging it loose you risk binding a valve which could break and drop into the cylinder (dropped valve) and destroy the engine. I imagine the entire cooling system is shot, at a minimum replace the thermostat, rebuild the water pump, and have the radiator rodded and boiled out.

[@DanDoge-wp7uj]

If the valves arnt stuck. Your rings are stuck from sitting. You can put atf down the bores. It makes a seal to get it fired up. Then the rings might free up with a few great cycles.. i find it funny you got zero on all bores..ATF to make a seal. Then pressure test it. Good luck.

[@stephenvictorbailey4055]

My dad had a van version of this....had it 2 weeks and got hit head on by a young driver who was overtaking where he shouldn't have been...the van was sadly a write off and both my parents and i spent some time in hospital

[@beastman.330]

Put a VR6 engine in with Rota grid v alloy wheels and toyo 888 . Brymbo 4 pot all around. Paint it NARDO GRAY..

[@shades360]

Talk about clueless. Could have just stuck the palm of your hand over the carby and cranked it when you first got it. No suction on your hand means it’s rooted . Wasted your time on everything else

[@DanDoge-wp7uj]

Cool little new black car. But just wont keep up with modern day traffic..if i was going to get another it would have been souped up.. Something you can rev up and have a little blast. . And had the green one to toootle around in. Good luck. 👍

[@philtucker1224]

Claire, just take off the cylinder head before you do any more spending, (it might just be very rusty valve seats which will save taking out the whole engine)

[@SpacedOdyssey]

It seems like you go to a lot of trouble just to fire it up initially.. Yes make sure the engine is not stuck, put new fuel in But no need to change the oil just for a few second run, Points will always need a clean, but if the car was running when left, the there is little reason for not to start, unless a valve has gummed up and stuck. We have dragged cars out, stuck a battery on towed them 25 yards, dropped the clutch and they have run, Then sort out the other stuff

[@MrSteve2714740]

After all them years I’d put money on that the valves are stuck open. Good news is it’s an easy job. Drop the rocker box off and spin the engine over you will soon see if you have some naughty valves.