Allegro Club International

[Laurence]

The engine oil could be blackened/burnt due to gearbox brake band slippage and/or lack of scheduled maintenance.

So, I would check & adjust brake bands etc etc & clean suction strainer that can be accessed by removing the gearbox bottom plate.

[Andy Perman]

Nice local show on Sunday 2nd June with a varied mix of cars from the 20's to 80's. Sun was shining too



Had a nice spot

















There was one other Allegro there, a blue Vanden Plas



Very nice day, will go next year for sure. Also found a replacement embellisher to replace my missing one Andy.

[M. Irvine]

Hi Andy,

I went to the same show (South Hants Vehicle Preservation Society show at Queen Elizabeth Park), and have attended it for many years. Sorry I did not see you. I took my Morris 1100 along this year.

The Autojumble was far better than it has been in recent times and after searching for many a year finally found a 'chrome looking' cover for the top of the SU on my Morris.

A great show, in a lovely setting and the weather is nearly always good.

Merv.
_________________
ALLEGRO = Agile, Lively, Legendary, Economical, Genial, Reliable & Outstanding.

[Andy Perman]

I noticed when I fitted the gauge set back in May that the oil pressure indicated seemed a bit low. I put it down at the time to gauge inaccuracy until last week when I noticed the oil lamp had started to illuminate at idle, or when putting the autobox in drive, or reverse - time for action otherwise it's going to cost me an engine and gearbox

Gauge was indicating 15 to 20 psi when above idle and driving, less than 10 psi at idle accompanied by oil lamp coming on so something clearly was not right.

First things first, drained the oil and removed the oil filter housing & oil head. When checking with the Haynes book, noticed I seemed to be missing a few parts, the spring, the cone thing and all the steel & sealing washers. The filter element was therefore flopping around inside and the oil was probably bypassing the filter completely



Inside the oil filter housing, fished out a random part not shown in the manual It looks like part of an old filter element I think and shouldn't be there for sure.



Fortunately my dad had a complete oil head in his garage, so retrived the missing parts I needed. Next took out the oil pressure relief valve, found it jammed part open, so soaked it in petrol & free'd it off



Re-filled and tested. At idle



At 1200 with drive selected (brakes on obviously!!)



Looks like it's sorted. Certainly drives better, much more power

As I had another hour to spare and my hands were already mucky, changed a split steering bellows I noticed few weeks back & re-charged with oil



Then fitted my lovely period Panasonic radio cassette I got from the 'bay' as my radio didn't work



Good couple of hours work
Andy.

[Laurence]

Nice to see you got it sorted

Amazed to see how someone's bodge could have wrecked the engine & gearbox

[J Dawson]

Unfiltered oil to the bearings. I fear there will be some damage.
_________________
Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

[Laurence]

Yep, I agree Joshua

I know I've mentioned it before in other places, but I would braze that pesky bypass valve in the oil filter head shut so as to avoid any inadvertent passing of unfiltered oil into the oil gallerys.

If you look at the pic of the oil filter head above, you'll notice the little ball bearing that is spring loaded.

If the oil is cold & a bit thick, it will easily cause the bypass valve to open so the valve has very little control.

[Andy Perman]

Yep, I agree guy's. I'm watching the oil gauge like a hawk I find. Pressure is now steady at 50-60 psi, and holding 25ish at hot idle. I'm planning to change the oil and filter again several times before the end of this season to flush out any muck caused by the original fault. Then finally remove the gearbox plate & clean up the strainer etc.

So far, no nasty noises or rattles

Fingers crossed.......

[Andy Perman]

Autumn rally @ Milton Keynes Museum of rural life. Great day so thanks to all who helped organise it. Even the weather was good!!

On the A3 - at speed !!



Oil pressure holding up now....



Approaching the Hindhead tunnel



Merv's engine bay - we can all dream.....



















Here's the old girl.....



Maxi & Merv's Allegro leaving Milton Keynes - at speed!!



Great day out, thanks all involved.

[M. Irvine]

Great pictures Andy. I especially love the 'on the road' scenes.

I agree, it was an excellent show.

Merv.
_________________
ALLEGRO = Agile, Lively, Legendary, Economical, Genial, Reliable & Outstanding.

[Andy Perman]

Well, it's been a year since the 'old girl' was restored and put back on the road and the 2nd MOT is now looming so I've made a start - on the starter Not exactly MOT work but the cranking has been getting slower and when I started to investigate the terminal on the solenoid was beginning to melt so time for an overhaul......

The lead has started to melt



Starter removed and solenoid taken off - pre-engaged type looks in pretty good shape so far..



Partially dissmantled solenoid still looks OK



Un-soldering the contact cap. I guess these were originally not designed to be dissmantled, just replaced. But in the absence of any available replacement needs must



Fully dissmantled & the fault is arcing damage and oxidisation on the top contact....



More to follow.....

[Andy Perman]

Bank holiday weekend. Sun kinda shinning and the MOT now booked for Sat 31st :affraid:

Ground and polished the solenoid contacts...


Solenoid all back together & rust treated


May as well service & lube the starter motor whilst it's off the car..


Brush plate


All parts serviced, rust treated & ready for re-assembly


As good as a factory restored unit


Servicing the swivel joints - taking out some slight play & changing the grease


Service time - the old spark plugs are text book 'brown' so all looks well with the engine & tuning


New oil, filters, plug, points etc....


Replaced points & condensor - setting up the dwell :silent:


Service completed. Engine bay given a quick 'spruce over' Started engine - starter spinns over effortlessly now like new


Rear hubs now. Replaced cylinders, shoes & wheel bearings, plus cleaned & rust treated








Old bearings coming out.....



Hub complete. Repeat for LHS



Rust treating the wheels


Replaced the fuel gauge sender unit whilst the rear end was up in the air. Rust treated tank last year so all looks OK here



Thats it - good days work & ready for MOT on Sat, then (hopefully if it passes) SHVPS show on Sunday 1st June
Andy.