Wow! This video seems to have put a smile on a lot of faces. We are LOVING the comments. Thank you so much! 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 - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5DsKZEHIcR0.html 2. First Wash in 52 Years - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_xroRNn3pPE.html 3. Amazing Austin A30 Progress Update! - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Gqgq4RrpW6M.html 4. Will It Start : Part 1 - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5cpoA8BifPo.html You guys are the reason we made this video. Claire & Elton
I to am 52 and iv never been so happy to see an old car start there are so many car projects on youtube none has made me smile keep up the fantastic job of making your fans happy have a very merry Christmas and avery happy and prosperous 2024 ican hardly for the next video it could be a weekly show on youtube then the tv xx
It was brilliant to see the A30 live again! My first car was an A35, way back in 1968. I was so glad to see this old girl start, as the stuck valves freed-off. I am ex-UK, but have lived in Australia for the last 36 years, and your video takes me back in time. You have a great partner who shares your passion, and not many are quite like that! Best wishes, and good luck with some restoration work on the A30, because it deserves to live a second life.
Well done you two, what a cheering video to hear your A30 start and run after all the trials and tribulations. If it was my Austin I would try to get the clutch working and the car driving before stripping anything down transmission or engine-wise, but advise a full brake check/overhaul at the outset. Good luck and thanks for bringing some winter sunshine to us viewers!
What is it about resurrecting a stuck engine that fires up the emotions? I was screaming with you when you got that going, with tears running down my face. You're a couple of gems and I love you both.
Had a black 1958 A30 in the 70s. Loved that little car despite the holes and the handbrake coming off in my hand one day… and the carb freezing up, etc. Drove it all over the UK. Wish I could find one over here in Canada. We’ll done getting it running - hearing that sound was so nostalgic.
I’ve been following this with nostalgic interest. In 1970, at the age of 17, I bought my first car for £10. It was an Austin A30 😊. I think mine must have been a base model, as I don’t recollect there being a heater 😂 (I might be wrong). I then ‘upgraded’ to a 1953 Series 2 Morris Oxford for £45, then at the age of 20 a brand spanking new Mk 1 Ford Escort. Happy days. Last summer I saw an A30 at a car meet and was amazed at how small it was. The owner let me have a sit in it. I was instantly transported back. Well done on getting it going again, job well done
Just found this, I'm 63 yo, and you have brought back memories of my dear dad. He had 3 of these beauties and I spent hours in them as he worked on them, pressing pedals when i was about 8 or 9. Good luck with the next step!
That’s fantastic. These cars are all about memories and we’re so glad that we’ve been able to bring back so many of them for people like yourself. These A30s certainly made an impact.
My first car was an A30 and, as a poor apprentice, I couldn't afford to have it maintained by a garage. So I had to read up and teach myself how to work on the engine. So I really know how you felt when it burst into life. My A30 was the recipient of a new timing chain and water pump as well as having the head skimmed and new valves and guides fitted. All done by myself, with the help of a Haynes manual. If I could do it at 19 (some 57 years ago) you are more than capable of it. The water pumps were a common leakage problem. Don't forget, the valve seats might not like E10 petrol, the engine was designed for leaded petrol. But if you do take the head off to work on it you could get new valves and also modify the seats so that she can run on unleaded. Ps; When I had my A30 petrol was 3 shillings and sixpence for a gallon: 17.5p !!!! Best of luck with the old girl, I will enjoy watching your progress.
For any younger viewers reading the comment above, that's less than 4-pence a litre (or liter, in some countries)! It sounds like a lot of people cut their teeth on these little Austins. We're enjoying learning them from scratch and it really helps to have comments like this, as genuine personal experience trumps any Google search. Thank you. If the head ever comes off, we'll look at the option of converting it to unleaded.
@@UKBarnFinds Adding millers VSP and noting modern stuff they call petrol goes off is your way forward if not planning on doing high mileage. Is it a948cc . 848cc or 1098cc (later than car) engine ? 948s run the most sweet
Very well done. I was one of those who commented about sticking valves and rings but had missed t he last few seconds of your previous video. The big clue was that only a couple of valves moving. Great persistence in freeing them. But remember the no compression sound is a fast constant whiring instread of pulsing. You didnt need a compression tester to tell you there was effectively none. I'm looking forward to seeing her drive now.
When you don't have to drive it to work on Monday you can persevere! I don't know what it is about A series 4 bangers but they can start no matter how bad the motor is. I hope you get it driving sooner rather than later! Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bet if little "peanut" could speak it would say a big thanks for percevering with me, well done and thanks for an entertaining watch, here's looking forward to more. Good luck
Hi guys, greetings from Melbourne, Australia....a couple of tips for you for future reference. A mix of acetone and atf has been shown to be a far superior penetrant than products such as wd40 or atf or diesel alone. Mix it 50/50 by volume. It separates so you have to shake it up before use. Second thing, you mentioned about not knowing what to look for on the bore scope... basically any rust (in this cars scenario), deep scatches/scoring which would usually be vertical lines or pitting in the cylinder walls. Also any obvious cracks in the tops of pistons or holes. Both of which would be terminal. The mess on top of the piston you showed is just carbon and not a huge issue unless there was heaps of it. Ideally these checks should be done before attempting to unseize an engine as it tells you what you're facing. Soaking the bores was the right thing to do either way. Well done on saving a survivor. The A series are tough little engines.. As a general rule when dealing with a car like this I would tackle in this order: attempt to turn engine over by hand a full rotation to ensure it turns freely. Deal with seizing like you did. Check for compression and investigate if none. Lube the bores if the engine wasn't originally seized. Tackle the fuel system and ignition like you did. Spin the engine on the starter (no plugs) to get check/get oil pressure. Put the plugs in, add fuel and ignition and give her a crack! That little A30 has a nice quiet sounding engine so hopefully the oil burning will settle down and we'll see you on your nest adventure with her..
Happy she fired up. Keep going with the heat cycle should help free any gummed up rings hopefully the smoke will clear the amount of oil it's had down it she is going to take some clearing.but keep at it . To rebuild the engine is not the end of the world but keep going and get it driving down the road
It seems to be very nostalgic to recollect & review this wonderful cute & dear little old pal - the Austin A30 since we had one of those way back in the mid 60's.
The thought of going that speed in one petrified me, then I saw this video of the awesome Shed Racing A30 and my perspective changed! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zF_82iu9Pts.htmlsi=5JqUP3KthwhizArq
Well done guys! I know nothing about engines and I am learning so much from you both. So thank you and thanks to your many advisors! I really enjoy watching you guys chat away about your love of old cars, what a wonderful thing to share with each other! Keep up the great work! ❤
what beautiful little car. all cars will run if you give them love and care don't matter how long they sit for mate. well done you two for saving another bit of history 👍👍👍😎
Another Kiwi here LOL. I just found your YT ch this afternoon and watched the full A30 journey thru. Got a new subscriber.... Wow what a lil charmer youve got (well 2 actually).. Claire took to it like a duck to water. Massive smile on your face haha. They are just so driveable.... Now you know why the A30 35s have such a loyal following.. you're hook line and sinker into it now. Thanks so much for the nostalgia trip.. Im 61 and my 1st car was an A35 in 1979.. they just go and go and go. I managed to get almost 50mpg out of it as well on a road trip.. I had 8 school mates and a dog in mine and broke a stub axle haha.. so much fun. You def need to get the head off at some stage of course and have a good look at those valve stems and guides. They do really respond to an occassional honest day trip to cook off any carbon deposits. Picnic with the kids. Kids just love these Noddy Cars.. My guess is that it was a shopping basket and got well and truly coked up hence the sticking valves.. Imo itd be well worth the effort to put in hardened seats for lead free petrol.. should add saleability and value to it as a result?? Looking fwd to the next installment. Wishing you a happy and safe xmas new year
Great video! Thnaks a lot. I would now first tackle the cooling and breaks and get it to drive. After a while you can still check on the engine and concider an overhaul but for get her on the road first.
Congratulations, a brilliant effort of perseverance by both of you. What a great little car to bring back to life! It’s never “just a car”😅 stick with it guys please!
Persistence pays! Well done Elton and Clare - really pleased to see that little old car run again. Next job - make it move. Happy Christmas to you and family
Well done guys Austin A30 was my very first car when I was seventeen (I’m 74 now) and had loads of fun with her -1953 vintage From memory a mechanical clutch and the hydraulic brake reservoir was in the passenger footwell I use to start her mainly with the starting handle as I couldn’t afford to buy a new battery Definitely take the head off and sort out those valves. Good old wire brush in my day and then grinding paste and loads of hand blisters. Flush out the waterways, new pump and hoses. My worse job was replacing the king pins. I finally gave up as I couldn’t get the old ones out. A friendly garage sorted this for me and didn’t charge, recognizing my enthusiasm Have a great Christmas. Looking forward to the next episode
This is wonderful ! And these cars need preserving. It looks amazing, I was born in 58 so just a bit younger. This is our history and I just think you are both heroes for breathing life back into this wonderful car .❤
Brilliant 👍👍 if it were me next step would be to check coolant waterways. Remove thermostat and clear gunk, remove hoses and put a hose through until it runs clear. Pump off and check or replace and replace thermostat and put back together. Do same with heater matrix if it has one and lastly radiator off car and flush through. New hoses and water to start with and run up to temp looking for leaks before draining and filling up with coolant. It may be more cost effective to get radiator recored if a problem there.
Watching from Sydney, Australia. Well done getting the old girl started, I really thought that valve was not going to give up, but admire your persistence. Its funny how an old car starting can bring so much joy to us and to you. I am pulling a Citroen AX out of a surburban Sydney garden tomorrow morning and it hasn't run for 15 years! Nothing on your 52 years I know.
Thank goodness the car was left in a barn or the old girl would have rusted away. It still has its original colour which come alive when the dust, dirt and grim is washed after 51 years Very nice barn find
Just started watching and enjoying your videos, that i some place you have there, are all those workshops, cars, bikes yours, great to see someone who is a hobbyist mechanic trying things.
Thank you. Being able to share that moment with people we’ve never even met was one of our highlights of the past year. It seems that so many people loved that first start as much as we did.
If this helps, Starting from the valve. Valve guides & Seals, Valve Springs, Valve Caps and Collets. The rocket arm rests on top of valve, and on the Push Rod on the other side. Push Rod Lifts the Rocker arm on top, bottom it is pushed by the (Cam Follower) Lifter. It's possible for the Lifter to stick, it's possible for the Push Rod to bend. It's also possible for the valve to stick. I would lift the head (about 20 mins) Inspect, clean, repair. Buy new Head Gasket and re-assemble. Love the video's.
Brilliant video… only just started following you guys … just at start of the A30 project …… I look at at a lot of similar folk on their videos but you guys have a refreshing approach…. Feels like I’m in the shed with you . When the car fired up I had same feeling as you guys had ..great stuff … keep it up 👍👍👍👏👏
well done Elton and Clare. She does need a rebuild /engine /gear box/chassis she deserves it bless her. Shes showed and proved to you she wants to live. So all you can do is respect her wishes its only fair
Great job you guys. [Another New Zealander here.] Worked on those a lot back in the day. They like full choke to start, [no pumping yet] then when they fire, 1/2 choke for a while with a little throttle feathering. Nice little car, go really well. Good to see you got two now. Good luck with the clutch, it's probably stuck. Just crank it in gear with your foot on the clutch, It will free up fine.
Thank you. So nice to have another viewer in New Zealand. Getting the black one has taught us a fair bit about PPW, especially the love of choke 😂 The clutch is next on the list and, hopefully, it will free up without too much bother. One of the 'joys' of RU-vid is that I have to sit here, without touching the car, until Claire can come and film it all happening, It's driving me nuts!
Great to see the engine running with pretty much all original bits. 😊 Well done to you both. Doing the head up isn't hard, it's just being methodical really. It'll be a skill you may be able to use again too.
Well done, Little tip, sometimes briefly slapping your hand over the air intake will create a big vacuum that will draw petrol through the carb and clear a lot of the rubbish out.
Greetings from NZ. Easy way with stuck valves on these A series engines is to remove the rocker gear then you can hit the valve direct on the stem with some force, you wont hurt it and pry it up and repeat. Lot easier without the rocker gear in the way. But you got there and got it going great job, now subscribed.
