Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire Special
" Sidd "
Workshop Diary 2022 to 2023
Sidd’s diary for 2022 to 2023 charting the jobs and processes which will ultimately see him returning to the road.
December 2023
Gearbox continued
December is more cleaning in the garage , bell housing cleaned and painted. Then on to the torque converter which we gave a spruce up with paint and fresh oil.
November 2023
Gearbox
The Borg Warner DG-250 automatic gearbox is now back at our workshop. First job was a degrease then drain the oil out. The oil looks un-contaminated which after discussion with a local gearbox specialist we were informed is a good sign that the gearbox is best left alone as this type are very reliable and expensive once taken apart. So plan is just a clean and fresh oil. With that the sump was removed and along with the filter given a good clean. The front oil seal was also replaced as for £4 it would be stupid not to.
October 2023
Gearbox and Wheels
******Finally dropped engine block and crankshaft off to machine shop to be cleaned and checked.******
Installed the rest of the bolts into the front suspension and fitted front shocks. Removed rear brake drum to check shoes, feeling is with a clean it will stop again.
Removed the Borg Warner DG-250 automatic gearbox for checking and cleaning at our work shop over the winter.. Removing the gearbox reviled welds that needed cleaning up so this was also done.
A bit of experimenting with 20″ wheels was also undertaken to recreate the true 30’s look. First try were Ford, but offset was too much then hunting through another barn and a spare wheel for a Scammell fire pump was discovered which was a near perfect fit. So we know they’re out there just need to be found.
August 2023
Front Suspension
August and we finally could get back to the barn and continue the work. Front cross member welded and with that done we could re-build the suspension and get Sidd back on his wheels. This now allows us to move him around the yard and get closer to the welder.
Also picked up a nice brass fuel cap at a local auto jumble. Hopefully block and crank off to machine shop this month too.
Spring 2023
Slow work
Sidd has had to take a back seat for a while due to family matters but hopefully we can crack on again soon.
Picked up a reproduction lubrication plate from Ebay and new track rod end which are the same as used on series Land-Rovers.
Summer 2022
Barn Roof
Summer the main project was making Sidd’s house dry again ready for the winter.
April / May 2022
Still stripping down
Barn visit this month reviled what we already knew, the roof had not survived the winter storms. Hopefully this will be replaced over the summer , meanwhile spare parts have been moved to a dry area.
Removed prop shaft which looks to just need a clean and the brake servo which will probably be replaced.
Februry/March 2022
Front Cross member continued
Front cross member and other parts returned from blasters. Blasting has highlighted a few repairs to weld up very kindly taken on by Harry who’s skill level excides our own.
Wheel stations stripped, cleaned and re-greased fitted with new poly bushes and seals. Old discs have been refitted for time being and will be replaced before returning to the road.
Lower link arms cleaned, painted and fitted with new poly bushes. Top link arms just needed cleaning, painting and re-greasing.
January 2022
Front Cross member
Busy weekend in the barn at the beginning of the month both wheel stations, springs and shocks removed. With the wheel stations out of the way the front cross member and anti roll bar can also come off. Lots of cleaning and painting to do plus a bit of welding and at least 2 broken bolts to be replaced.
Second visit and more progress at the workshop this month. Engine mounts removed from front cross member , second calliper stripped, shocks repainted and fitted with new rubbers, rubber bump stops sourced, master cylinder stripped, top mount bolts replaced and cleaning painting of wheel station parts.
Cross member, springs and the badly corroded parts sent off for shot blasting.
Parts sourcing this month has identified the track rod ends as being the same as early Land Rover, one on order to check. Swivel bushes are being replaced with poly bush set from an MGB kit while using the original spacer. Ebay turned up a collection of spare the most helpful parts being a top end gasket set with the head gasket which has definitely saved a few pounds.
Link to Restoration Diary covering the start of Sidd’s journey