I bought a Commer!

It's a good old Rootes iron head lump as fitted to the Commer amongst others:) But it's a bit dark down there to see the oil gallery plugs:(
 
Standard engine probably early 1725cc, has the paper oil filter rather than the later spin off type. Missing the throttle return spring, throttle cable and choke cable!
 
The engine does turn by hand but I have a bit to do before I try to start it. In the next few days, I will take some better shots of the engine because, yes, it is dark in the shed and its a bit hard to see anything.
Is it possible to modify to a spin on filter? The missing bits may be in the red crate (a corner of it seen in the first engine bay pic) along with the bits of dismantled whipper snipper(!)
Another question: Here is a pic of the back seat. Can anyone tell me if it is original? I seems very long, at 1600mm, approx...
IMG_4467_zps2qjphigl.jpg
 
Looks like a bus seat from another vehicle, all Commer seats have tubular frames, i think. Is that right Martin?.
 
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IMG_4494_zpsamx3uoqf.jpg

I got home at a vaguely sensible hour tonight so seized the opportunity to roll under the Commer in the dark. I was able to get the above pic but seriously doubt if it shows anything?
Also, I had a closer look at the crossmember and there is no sign of any other engine mounts. It occurred to me the mod to the rear of the engine bay was to facilitate removal of the engine. Does this sound possible?
 
Rusty63 said:
IMG_4494_zpsamx3uoqf.jpg

I got home at a vaguely sensible hour tonight so seized the opportunity to roll under the Commer in the dark. I was able to get the above pic but seriously doubt if it shows anything?
Also, I had a closer look at the crossmember and there is no sign of any other engine mounts. It occurred to me the mod to the rear of the engine bay was to facilitate removal of the engine. Does this sound possible?
Click to expand...
Yes, it is tight to get out.
 
A common opinion among many mechanics was that the Commer was a nightmare :eek: to work on because of inaccessibilityo_O. So it probably was a modification by a frustrated:mad: home or workshop mechanic.
However we on here:confused: know that the Commer is actually very easy:) vehicle to work on and once the floor and seats are quickly removed the engine can be accessed/craned out through the drivers door without too much hassle.
I used to have a Holden van "actually an ISUZU" it was the same story, very hard to get mechanics to even look at it. but 15 minutes spent removing the floor and it was a piece of cake to work on.
 
Peering through the gloom I think it's most likely a five bearing crank judging by the position of the oil pressure switch, and that looks like another oil gallery plug to the left on the same line as the switch. 1725 it is then - probably:)
 
Looking at the off to the side oil filler .I would say it has original valve cover , which in Australia would have been hard to find.So I would go with your idea the the cut out was for ease of engine removal.
 
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