Newbie with 1936 Austin...

Jaydub · Post by **Jaydub** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 1:53 pm

Hi all,
Only polite to introduce myself so here goes...
Met Coops at our local meet and he told me of this place, been impressed enough to sign up.
I've got a '36 Austin 16/6 currently running a 4.2 Jaguar straight six, lovely as it is it's in dire need of a (very expensive) rebuild so... current thinking is go Rover if I can find a suitable engine and 'box at the right price, a new experience for me... I shall probably be asking a few dumb questions but I promise not to mention otter switches or thin oil...
I also run a Spitfire based kit car, a couple of 'bikes and a Subaru BRAT for when the winter comes (none of which run V8s).

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:09 pm

Nice.

Will an RV8 fit?, that bonnet looks pretty narrow. I think 28" total width is about the normal.

Chris.

Jaydub · Post by **Jaydub** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 5:19 pm

Thanks for the compliment.
My mate's got one in his '57 Pop' and we had a measure up... looks like it may be a bit tight in places but I'm sure it will go if we can get it back far enough. The main problems will be the rocker box wants to go where the top of the pedal box is now, oh, and the steering column is in the way...

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 7:09 pm

Well keep us posted - we like project cars on here! with lots of pics to drool over.

Chris.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:28 pm

Theres always a way mate

A tweak here, a bit of bending and stretching there, and then a bit of cutting and welding. Hey Presto !! it fits

Nice looking ride by the way. Very elegant

Jaydub · Post by **Jaydub** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:15 am

Thanks for the warm welcome...
I must readily admit that this is a project that may never happen - I'm no fabricator and I shall be doing lots of measuring beforehand to see if it's viable - the pedal box may be a cause for concern as it's very narrow and upright. Simple stuff isn't beyond me but I do admire the folk that can make it fit with a bit of a tweak and a hey presto! Jaydub.

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:25 pm

Hi
That is very pretty, really striking car.
Have you considered the Buick 455 ? yes it is a big block, but the exhaust ports come out the heads pointing quite steeply down, much easier to get the headers tight into the block so you can fit it all in a narrow chassis . . The 4.5 litre of the daimler V8 can also be jammed in a narow chassis for the same reason, though the hemi valve covers can cause problems. Then there is the TVR AJP8, easy to get into a narrow bay because it is a 75 degree angle between the banks, though the ballancer shafts make the bottom of the engine a bit wider there. the Jag V8 is also pretty narrow and compact, buckets of power in standard form, and the supercharged version is a realy powerfull unit.
Sorry couldn't resist, you don't have to fit a rover you know!
Best regards
Mike