Smiths heater overhaul

The cables you should be able to make - try a decent bike shop. Even Halfords stock it.

As the Arrow range range Minx & Gazelle were launched in 67 (somewhat later than the Hunter and arrow range Vogue) it must be a late "series Minx" model and if the engine is original it should be a 1724 cc cast iron head unit. Whats wrong with the heater -- leak from the matrix or leak from the heater valve ? If its the matrix your local raddiator repair shop should be able to help, the heater water valve is more tricky although I think one from a Triumph or Mini or MG could be adpated with a bit of inginuity. The Smiths heater types on these cars were used with minor differences in other models such as the Morris Oxford -- to explain prior to 1965 the heater was an "accessory" not included in the price of the car but fitted by the dealer to avoid purchase tax.

Any engine reconditioning shop should still be able to get exhaust valves for this engine -- if you fit valves you will need to go for a full unleaded conversion or use LRP as the iron head 1724 Minx engine tends to be hard on exhaust valves anyway.

By cables I take it you mean the hand brake cable and speedo cable -- generally for Rootes parts try Speedy Spares who bought over RJ Grimes stock if not Speedy cables (no connection) will be able to make them up. Speedy cables could also help with other control cables.

If you need a bonnet release cable (not sure if you model had one as standard the equivalent Minx didn't) try one from an early/mid 90s Rover 214 its very similar (alsoWillmot Breeden made I suspect).

Speedy Spares and Speedy cables both advertise in most of the classic mags.

The Minx heater use piano wire inner cables as the cables pushed as well as pulled.

Decent lawnmower shop then!

Think the outers were still a standard size, and piano wire is easy enough to get. Still probably easier - and more satisfying - than searching for originals.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. When I say I've just started a project, I mean I have listed all the parts that need to be cleaned, refurbished or bought new/recon. I made a large spreadsheet with everything on it, so far I am praying to God that it's not under budget!!!!! Not too much of a problem though, I'll be keeping the car forever. I seem to be ok with most parts up to now, that is I can get them at a cost, however, the heater seems to be a stumbling block.

I now have more information though. Cables: I have found a supplier who can make any cable I want, he owes me a favour as well so I'm ok with them. Foam pads: Guess I'll just make some up from fire proof foam somewhere. As for the valve, I meant the valve bolted on the side of the heater box. I have found someone selling an MG valve for this heater and he assures me it's the same. Not too sure yet :-/ The radiator may be a problem, though I have yet to test it. (that is the radiator inside the heater), I found a company that can overhaul it for £35, sounds OK but you don't want to know how much I'll be spending on this car!!! To test it I'm thinking of sinking it under water and pumping it up a bit, 5-10psi I'm guessing at (if anyone can advise differently then please do).

Now you may be asking 'if this is a new project, why has he started on the heater??'. My answers to that are....you gotta start somewhere, I am trying to gather information about all the other parts. The engine is going out to be rebuilt, I'm in the process of finding someone who will take my car for a couple of months and work on the body and.......it's the only thing I could fit on the kitchen table without the missus getting too flustered????? OH, and it's bloody cold outside at the moment:-)

I will be frequenting this group for assistance, by the time I finish this car (March-April 04), I should be some kind of expert. So bear with me!

Thanks to all for advice (so far)

Simon Tyler

I wish you luck with your project, always liked the look of the pre arrows singers. Pity there are so few left ... and that the pricing on whole Rootes Group of cars makes most restorations uneconomical.

This is something I have never really understood. The marque stood for (and embodied in most cases) quality (although, as things do, went downhill a bit towards the end) but is seriously underepresented at most shows I have attended. As an ex Humber Super Snipe owner (they were good enough for Harold Wilson to arrive at No 10 in - OK an Imperial !), it always amazed how cheap these luxury barges were compared to the equivalent - maybe a quarter the price for a good one.

How much is a good Singer Gazelle ? and how much is a good Mk I/II Cortina. Which stands out in the crowd ?

I've begun to understand that if I'm going to keep this car for a long time then the cost can be written off. I bought a newish car 2years ago and have lost as much money as this singer will cost me, so why worry. I'm hoping my 7year old daughter will learn to drive in this, it's going to be a family member so cost is almost irrelevant at the moment!!!!

I renovated a mark V when I was single (had more time then), I met my wife, we got married in it, both our children where born and went in it, however, someone stole it 6yrs ago and ever since we've wanted to start on another one.

So here I am!

Anyway, must get on, I have a heater box to spray:-))

I did this on my Dad's MGA a couple of years back. We got the heater case media blasted and it came back fantastic. I had to make a new rubber "shut" type thing for the hot air, I used an flat peice of rubber for this cut to size.

I don't know about cables, but they might be the same as MG, although you may have to cut them to length. What series engine does the Gazelle use? Find out, and look for any other cars that use the same block - the valve will probabally be the same.

Thanks What's media blasting, is it the same as bead or sand blasting?

If I read you right... The sixties Rootes cars were very much underrated. I've heard them described as dull & mundane - is that another way of saying well built and reliable? That they behave & don't fall to bits? My Minx is awaiting some floor/inner sill repairs. The inner wings have been repaired and the wings have been replaced or patched. But this car is 38 years old, and that's all it's needed! The rest of the structure is superb, the doors shut lightly. quietly and precisely, something even my 80s Merc can't match, and even though it may stand for a couple of months at a time, it starts first time - more reliably than any of my other cars.

The heater valve is not attached to the block. It's attached to the heater. The heater is te same as tat in the Herald, but I'm not sure the valve is. I'll have a look later.

It's nice to hear this, when complete in April 04, I will be using her every day to drive to work and back (45mile round trip), so 'well built and reliable' is what I need. I've owned a few classic cars and the singer was the only one which a)kept up with modern traffic and b)still looks like an old british classic.

They were hardly balls of fire in their day compared to similar sized cars due to their weight.

I MAKE THE SMITHS HEATER BLOWER CASE I HAVE THE PART ON EBAY