After a long delay the work begins

OK - after a long delay, occasioned by a bad bout of arthritis, I have resumed work on the beast!

As 865CHT has not been started for at least 20 years I thought I would check out the engine first; my thinking on this is that if I can get it running it would make moving it around a lot easier than the old pushing method.

First up I did a compression test - the workshop manual gives the compression figures of 100lb per sq in +/- 10% across the 4 cylinders.

Well, good news/bad news.

Pots 1 & 2 show 85psi - not brilliant, but borderline. However, pots 3&4 are only 35psi - not good, to say the least!

That could mean that the head gasket is shot between pots 3&4, the rings could be stuck, or the valves could be suspect.

I removed the cylinder head and checked the gasket; looks OK.

I tried the usual trick of putting some diesel down the bores to check the seal - again, OK.

Therefore, looks like valve seats may be the problem.

I will strip down the cylinder head and post pics in a future post.

Inspection Starts

I have to start somewhere, so after consultation with the Standard Motor Club Forum I decided to concentrate on the safety side of things - brakes & steering - brakes first!

The Brake master cylinder was seized solid - no amount of pedal pressure would move it - also, the clutch master cylinder felt dead to the touch.
After removing both master cylinders and freeing the pistons this is what I saw!

At the very least I will need a cylinder repair kit!

I will refit these tomorrow, fill them with fluid and assess the situation.

The Eagle has Landed!!

Well!

The Eagle has landed, courtesy of Beamish Transport ( thanks guys for the efficient service! )

Now the graft starts!

















And the wheels touch County Durham soil ( well, tarmac, actually! )

























We have touchdown!!

Some history, pictures and links

The Standard Motor Company was based in Coventry, Warwickshire, England and made cars from the turn of the 20th century until the mid 60's. It took over The Triumph Car company and continued to manufacture sports cars and saloons until the 1970's, and all Triumphs post war were designed and made by the Standard Motor Company. ( thanks go to the Webmaster of the Standard Motor Club for the correction )


To assist me in my search for spares and knowledge I have joined the Standard Motor Club , and I urge anyone contemplating restoring a classic car of whatever manufacture to search out and join the relevant club.

I purchased my project via Ebay from a seller in Bath, England and have had it transported to me ( 310 miles away ) by Beamish Transport Ltd.

This is what I have bought

Why Standard Ten?

Being of advanced years I am increasingly drawn to the quieter, happier days of my youth.

Collecting conkers in the Autumn, playing marbles in the Spring, fishing for minnows in the gentle Summer streams.

I stress that I am not actually doing these things, I just yearn for those times.

To try and relive those halcyon days of youth I have decided to find a car of my youth, and restore it to its former glory.

Thus a blog was born. In this journal I intend to record the ups and downs, the difficulties and triumphs of a restoration of a Standard Ten saloon car of 1958.
I will document the process of a restoration and hopefully come out the other side a wiser man.

I look forward to any comments, criticisms and assistance anyone may offer.