Owners Manual

xviii
REGULAR
ATTENTIONS
EVERY 2,000 MILES (3,200 l{m.)
Engine
Drain
the sump and refill with new oil. Capacity
is
7 pints, inclusive
of
filter.
Gearbox
Check the level and top up
if
necessary.
For
access
lift the front carpet and remove the small plate on the
side
of
the gearbox covering. The filler plug is then
accessible. Clean any dirt
or
grit away from around the
plug. Remove the plug and fill up to the bottom
of
the
threads. This gives the correct level.
Shock Absorbers
Check all shock absorbers for leaks and see
that
the
rubber bushes are undamaged.
Clutch
Pedal
With the oil gun, lubricate the nipple
at
the pivot
of
the lever.
On
left-hand drive models the nipple
is
situated on
the underside
of
the larger diameter tube
of
the telescopic
fitting, see
Section E, page
3.
Brakes
Examine the brakes and adjust
if
necessary. Apply
the oil gun to the balance lever on the rear axle case, the
handbrake pivot and the pedal pivot nipple.
Rear Axle
Check the level and replenish
if
necessary. The
correct oil should be used
and
injected into the axle
casing
f~om
underneath, using the adaptor on the oil gun.
First
remove the plug, which is
on
the right lower
front side
of
the axle carrier, then place the end
of
the
adaptor into the oil hole and inject the oil.
The plug also serves as
an
oil level indicator. There-
fore, do
not
replace the plug
at
once, but give time for
the superfluous oil to run
out
if
too
much
has been
injected. This is most important, because,
if
the rear
axle is overfilled, the lubricant may leak through the
brakes and render them ineffective. Wipe away the
excess oil from the casing.
Steering Column
Lubricate the felt washer
at
the top
of
the steering
column by adding a few drops
of
light machine oil
through the hole
in
the steering wheel hub close to the
steering column.
Battery
Ascertain the state
of
charge
of
the 12-volt battery
by
taking hydrometer readings. The specific gravity
readings should
be:-
Fully charged 1 .
280-1
. 300
Half
charged
..
. approx. 1.
201
Discharged below 1 .
150
These figures are for
an
assumed electrolyte tem-
perature
of
60
deg. F.
Check
that
the electrolyte
in
the cells is
just
level
with the tops
of
the separators.
If
necessary
add
a
few
drops
of
distilled water. Never use
tap
water as it
contains impurities detrimental to the battery.
Never leave the battery
in
a discharged condition.
If
the car
is
to be
out
of
use for any length
of
time, have
the battery removed and charged about once a fortnight.
Brake Supply Tank
Inspect
and
refill to the correct level. This
tank
is
situated on the radiator mounting frame
of
the
Saloon
and secured to the scuttle
of
the Sports
and
Commer-
cials.
Use only the recommended fluid.
EVERY 3,000 MILES (4,800 l{m.)
Sparking Plugs
Remove the plugs
and
clean off all carbon deposit
from the electrodes, insulations and plug threads with a
stiff brush dipped in paraffin. Alternatively the plugs
may be taken to a local Austin dealer for cleaning in a
special machine.
Clean
and
dress the plug points and reset to the
correct gap
of
.
018
in. for the Saloon
and
.
025
in.
for the
Sports.
Before replacing the plugs check
that
the copper
washers are
in
a sound condition. Never over-tighten a
plug
but
ensure
that
a good
joint
is made between the
plug body, the copper washer and the cylinder head.
Saloon and
Commerials-use
Champion N.8B
Long Reach 14 mm. plugs;
Sports-use
Champion N.A.8 Long Reach
14
mm.
plugs.
Distributor Cam and Drive Shaft Bearings
Lubricate the distributor camshaft bearings
by
withdrawing the
rotor
arm
from the
top
of
the distri-
butor
spindle and carefully adding a few drops
of
thin
machine oil
round
the screw exposed to view.
Take
care
to refit
thearm
correctly
by
pushing
it
on
to the shaft
and turning
untii
the key
is
properly located.