Introduction - LXC 164

[AlecGatherer]

Hello fellow enthusiasts.
I have taken over from Derek Wilding Javelin LXC 164, EO/PB/11205/D.
It is in overall very good rebuilt condition, though I have a section of chassis just forward of the offside rear torsion bar area to repair due to some holes along the bottom fold.
Also I have to rebuild the master cylinder. Fortunately I am familiar with these as my life revolves around Riley RM series cars which use the same part.
I believe that this car is known to the Club; if not, advise me and I will post more details. Similarly, if anyone can tell me about it I would be very grateful.
Its first job will be to convey myself and the present Mrs. Gatherer to a few Riley shindigs aroud the U.K., thus causing many sharp intakes of breath. This is about as exciting as I want my life to be at my age.
There are one or two quirks that I will need to consult the knowledgeable about; I notice an electric fuel pump bolted onto the engine where the manual one should be. Is this a known mod? I wouldn't mind reverting to the manual one if there are any available out there. Again, I suspect it will be similar to the Riley AC Type U ones I am used to.
No doubt there will be more questions as I progress, asked in the appropriate sub-forum of course! And a photo or two once I have it roadworthy.
Alec Gatherer

[trymes]

Welcome, Alec! I’m also new to Jowetts, so likely won’t be any help to you, but I can say that my Javelin shares the garage with a Riley One Point Five, and I can confirm that Riley + Jowett is a good combination.

[Keith Clements]

You might be interested in this Technical Document recently contributed by Mike Allfrey

[AlecGatherer]

Thanks for the link Keith, and thanks also to the writer of that excellent guide, Mike Allfrey.

My company rebuilt these master cylinders on a regular basis as they are used on the Riley RM Series cars in which I specialised.

We didn't do anything to the bore of the master cylinders other that de-rust them chemically.

One problem that we had was with the "wavy" shim that backs the large seal. The only source for many years was to rob secondhand units, but the RM Club is now having new ones made, a more elaborate process than one might imagine.

90% of the problems were caused by pitting on the plunger piston at the exact point where it slid through the small seal. I am happy to see that stainless steel ones are available; that is the route taken by the RM Club.

[Keith Clements]

Alec,
Thanks useful information. I have rebuilt many of these units also and you are right about the wavy washer. Please could you arrange for me and the club to stock up on them as I still have a couple of units to do?

Our NZ club have remanufactured the pistons and other components (from whence previously I obtained them) so they too would be interested. The Aus club may also.

[AlecGatherer]

I will see what I can do.
RM Club rules prevent me from buying from The Riley RM Centre Ltd and selling on to the JCC (or to anyone else for that matter - the rule is that you can buy spares for your own use only) but I can ask if we would like to help another club maybe with a joint purchase at source.
Maybe better continuing this by PM?

[AlecGatherer]

Following on from another thread on which I am contributing:

As an aside, I am hoping to recover my Javelin to my workshop on Thursday; hopefully I will be putting the cat amongst the pigeons by using it on some RM Club jaunts. Maybe I can convince some potential JCC members of the superior benefits!

Now updated - recovery postponed until Tuesday next due to unavailablity of car trailer. The master cylinder, rebuilt, awaits its new home and once I have replaced the dubious tyres I should be out and about, ready hopefully for a raid on Scotland next month. Plenty of road testing required before the Big Trip.
Any contributions towards my fuel costs would be most welcome.

[AlecGatherer]

The Javelin has landed.
Not had a chance to give it the oneceover yet. Will report further.

[AlecGatherer]

The end of a brief love affair - the Javelin is departing to a dealer north of the border tomorrow.
You wouldn't believe what I am bringing back in part-ex, so I won't tell you. You would think I'm bonkers. I'm not sure I don't.