1953 Rover P4 75
September 2022-24 - Mechanical repairs and test drive
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I performed various mechanical repairs on and off from 2022 to 2024 to get the P4 in running and drivable condition. The following list of repairs is a good high level summary of what it'd take to revive an engine that hasn't run in multiple decades.
Repairs performed:
- Cooling system
- All new rubber hoses
- New thermostat
- New reproduction water pump from JR Wadhams (the original pump unsurprisingly started leaking at the shaft due to age)
- New fan belt
- Fuel system
- Original SU fuel pump was rebuilt with a kit from JR Wadhams that include a new diaphram, points and seals. I did not document the rebuild because there is plenty of good videos of SU fuel pump rebuilds, I recommend this video: SU Electric Fuel Pump Rebuild - Tony Hillyard
- The duel SU carburetors were removed and completely disassembled. The parts were cleaned with an ultrasonic parts cleaner and then reassembled, with new seals and parts used from a rebuild kit purchased from Wadhams. The carburetors were then tuned together. I did not document the rebuild and tuning process because it is well covered in many videos available on Youtube.
- Fuel tank was dropped, flushed and resealed with Red Kote fuel tank liner. Unlike the tank on the first P4, the tank on this P4 was in far better condition to be reusable. The float was replaced with a new reproduction. The pick up tube was flushed and cleaned.
- Ignition system
- New spark plugs, ignition leads and connectors
- New distributor cap and points
- New distributor vacuum advance because the original vacuum advance no longer held vacuum. Advance is a Lucas 4/18/12 type used on a Lucas 40823D distributor.
- New reproduction HT lead tube for ignition leads
- Engine misc
- Replaced the original Wimac oil filter with an adapter kit for a modern filter from Wadhams. This makes it easier to do regular oil change maintenance.
- Changed oil to Valvovine straight 30W non-detergent.
- Added 140W gear oil to steering box, king pins, and differential axle.
- Brakes
- New master cylinder
- New slave cylinders on all wheels
- New drum shoes installed and manually adjusted on each wheel
Dual SU carburetors before rebuilding.
Dual SU carburetors after cleaning and rebuilding.
Cleaned engine bay and carburetor reinstallation.
Fuel tank after cleaning and prior to repainting. It was originally painted chassis black.
Repainted using rattle spray can enamel coating.