Help needed on a few minor problems on my MK2.

[djnippa]

Really happy to say I've recently acquired another 1966 Humber Sceptre MK2. It's been 22 years since I last had my other metallic green one (JUU 225D).

Humber Sceptre MK2 CIMG5346_lo.jpg

It has a few very minor problems, that I could do with some help and suggestions on.

1. The red ignition light won't go out on the dashboard, after the car has started. The alternator is still charging properly.
Anyone got any ideas as to why? Is it the alternator bushes, or the ignition warning light control?

2. The steering wheel itself tilts back and forth. How do you take off the steering wheel?
Do I lift up the black centre foam decoration. I've tried unscrewing the adjuster, but that goes on forever.

3. Speedo is inaccurate. It reads a steady 60mph when I'm doing about 34mph.
Is that oil and grease on the cable causing the magnet to drag the aluminium cup round, or is it the speedo drive gear/ pinion?

4. The revs drop dramatically, and it stalls when I depress the clutch, when I come to a stop. Normally when it's not in gear the revs sit nicely at 1200.
Any suggestions? I've already ordered a new clutch plate, cover and bearing. I'm also fitting ACCUSPARKS electronic ignition & plugs to see if that helps.

Any help would be appreciated.

[rusty nuts]

Altenator. You could try changing the warning light control, you know the thing that looks like the flasher unit.

Steering wheel. Yes i think you prize the centre off and theres a nut.


Speedo. I'd like to know this one my self as i have the same problem,got 3 points the other day !

[djnippa]

Altenator. You could try changing the warning light control, you know the thing that looks like the flasher unit.

Great idea. That would certainly be a much cheaper start. I see www.sunbeam-alpine.co.uk only have them listed as POA (Price on Availability), so I'll have to call www.speedyspares.co.uk to see if they have them.

Steering wheel. Yes i think you prize the centre off and theres a nut.

I was afraid of that, I'm now remember it on my first Sceptre where the centre emblem was always popping out.

Speedo. I'd like to know this one my self as i have the same problem,got 3 points the other day !

It's in the garage today, they actually have no idea at the mo, but I received an email from my Speedo expert in Canada.
He said " Likely oil and grease coming up from the cable and causing the magnet to drag the aluminium cup round. They work by a magnet spinning inside a aluminium cup and producing an eddy current that creates magnetism that the spinning magnet then attracts and a hair coil spring restrains it, all very fine if oil comes out of a lubricated cable it creates more drag and makes it over read. De-grease and clean the linkage. If that fails it'll be the Speedo pinion bearing - which could be trick to source".
The previous owner had just fitted a new speedo cable, so I'll have a word with him, to see if he oiled the linkage.

[rusty nuts]

Well i put a new cable on and tried three different speed'os, had to try three because i was told a automatic one wouldn't read right. (Had a couple from someone who scraped two Sceptre's,of which one was a auto. ) They have different numbers right down at the bottom. But they all read far too high.

After trying all this i'm almost sure its something up at the gearbox end. For years i've been meaning to ask a friend to drive in front of me and hold his hand up at 30 40 and 70mph. Then i was going to mark the glass with small white lines, thought this would be a lot easier than a gearbox job.

But of course i didn't and got the three points from the 'Cash Cow'
rob.

[djnippa]

That sure is a lot of effort to go to.

Unfortunately I've had to move garages. Even though I gave them a big list, and they had the car for three days, all they did was upgrade the lights to a standard bulb, rather than a sealed beam, which only took them 20 mins to do!!
They had no idea about the speedo. So I've ordered a new Speedo Drive Gear (which connects direct to the gearbox), as the previous owner recently told me had already changed the speedo cable, and did not grease the linkage. If that fails it's the Speedo itself, and it would need to be refurbished at the specialists in Tonbridge Wells.

I've managed to purchase a MKII workshop manual, which helped with the steering wheel, although I could still not undo the main centre bolt, without the fear of totally breaking it. So I've still got a slightly wobbly steering wheel.

A new 10AC Alternator is on the way (from http://www.sunbeam-alpine.co.uk), and a new alternator control box 4TR (bought off Ebay for half the price I'd been quoted).

Still not had the Accuspark Electronic Ignition fitted yet. Really looking forward to seeing the results from that.

[djnippa]

UPDATE:

SPEEDOMETER
I've just found out off the previous owner, that his idiot mechanic did put a light oil on the pinion of the speedo cable, which has caused the over reading.
DO NOT OIL THE CABLE!! I am now going to have to get the whole unit de-oiled by a specialist.

OIL LEAK
Changed the gaskets on the timing and crank shaft casing. Also put in a new Crank Shaft Pulley.
There is however still an oil leak, and it's quite a regular one when the car is started.
It is dripping from the breather pipe on the left side of the engine (as you look at it). Drips a drop every 30 seconds.
Also exhaust fumes seem to constantly come out of this pipe when the car is idling.
Does any one have any ideas how to stop this?

ACCUSPARK ELECTRONIC IGNITION
This was fitted with no problems, except the garage found that I was only running on three cylinders when idling, but four when driving (This was the case before fitting Accuspark).
They did not adjust the timing, as they said they didn't need to, they then suggested to me that it may be a 'valve' that needs adjusting.
Does anyone have any ideas as to whether this is correct or not, or suggestions as to how to fix this?

DROP IN REVS ON DEPRESSING CLUTCH
I had a new clutch kit put in, and found out to that there was actually nothing wrong with the old bearing, or plate, or cover!
The problem was with the clutch seals in the master cylinder, so they have been replaced.
NOTE: When ordering a seal kit, also order the 'seal spring', as it annoyingly doesn't come with the kit any more!
Does anyone know what could be causing the drop in revs? They suggested perhaps the big end bearings.

FLY WHEEL GEAR RING
They also had the replace the Flywheel Gear Ring, which was very badly worn, which can cause the starter motor to slip when thrown forward to start the car.
So they had to heat up the new one to exactly 220oC then place it in position, and let it cool. A job only a professional could do.

WRONG ALTERNATOR
I tried to have the alternator replaced. Unfortunately I cannot find another one similar. It should be a Lucas 10AC, but the one I already have isn't the same.
Does anyone recognise this alternator?

[rusty nuts]

Hi, where have you ordered the Speedo Drive Gear from ?

rob.

[djnippa]

Hi, where have you ordered the Speedo Drive Gear from ?

I ordered it from www.sunbeam-alpine.co.uk but like a few other orders from them, they say they have it then a three days later say they can't get one any more.
So I tried www.speedyspares.co.uk (who are far more efficient and knowledgeable), but also cannot get one.
So if you're looking for a speedo drive gear, I suggest speaking to www.sunbeam-alpine.co.uk and asking for the part number.
You'll probably have better look searching for it on other sites, as I'm sure it's not unique to the Sceptre.

[aubrey]

Hi. I am sorry to hear about your problems I have a MK2 and a few other Sceptres, if you do not know who I am, you will find me on the PVHCC site, I am the writer of
Save our Sceptres.You can contact me through the club and I am happy to answer all your questions. You will find some further details of me on the rootes 1725cc
site, I once owned a nice green MK3 estate that was set alight. For now I will give you 2 answers to your problems the first you may not Like very much.
The reason your revs drop when you put your foot on the cluth is because the crankshaft thrust bearings are worn out. As you push on the clutch the whole
crankshaft is pushed towards the front of the engine and the revs drop, this inturn also pushes the crankshaft forward into the chaincase cover damaging the
thrower and casing and causing the excess oil leak, Answer no 2. I had the same problem on my MK3 estate , as the rest of the engine was in good condition I
just replaced the crankshaft bearings with oversize ones. Sorry for the bad news but at least you now know. Aubrey

[djnippa]

Thanks for the accurate response.
Both garages I have recently been to have said the same thing, so you certainly know your stuff.
I was thinking of getting the whole engine reconditioned, so its not bad news.

I've just looked on the PVHCC site but it won't let me join the forum with a hotmail account.

[tonytransam]

When you cleaned the cable of oil I presume you mean the speedo end?