Riley 1.5 & 2.5
Riley 1.5 & 2.5
Riley 1.5 & 2.5
MANUAL
1½ LITRE
and
2½ LITRE
WORKSHOP
MANUAL
1!! LITRE
2
and
2~ LITRE
NOTE
Amendments to the instructions given in this manual are only
made by the issue of revised sheets, or by additional sheets for
inclusion at the end of each section.
It is therefore of the utmost importance to refer to the end of
each of the sections for the latest instructions before carrying
out any work on tie vehicle.
Issued by
IIILEY MOTORS LIMITED
P op e ors MORRIS MOTORS LIMITED
AUSTIN-MORRIS DIVISION
BRITISH LEYLAND MOTOR CORPORATION
COWLEY. OXFORD
General Information
Frost Precautions
AAA
Engine (24 litre, Series RMF) ...
GG
Intermediate Driving Shaft and Propeller Shaft (Series RME and RMF)
H
Rear Axle (14 and 24 litre) ... ...
450
560
before T.D.C.
after B.D.C.
before B.D.C.
20~ after T.D.C.
Exhaust valve closes 200 after T.D.C.
56 lb. (25.40 kg.). 575 lb. (26.082 kg.).
Valve spring, shut
74 lb. (33.566 kg.). Early 73 lb. (33.112 kg.).
Valve spring, open
Inlet valve opens—piston traverse RME ~0l837in. (.467 mm.) Models •o3Q~4 in. (.76 mm.)
before T.D.C. before T.D.C.
Inlet valve working clearance .015 in. (.38 mm.). .QQ3 in. (.076 mm.).
Hot engine. Hot engine.
.004 in. (10 mm.).
Exhaust valve working clearance •0l5 in. (.38 mm.).
Hot engine. L Hot engine.
Valve guides Removable.
FUEL SYSTEM
Petrol tank level Electric gauge on panel.
Fuel delivery A.C. mechanical pump type “U.’,
Carburetter S.U. horizontal H—2.
Carburetter needle No. 3 Standard. Rich—BY; Weak—V2.
CLUTCH
Type Borg and Beck 8 in. (20.32 cm.) diameter. A6—G type.
Facing Ferodo RYZ.
GEARBOX
[
Synchromesh Second, third and top.
Ratios
Top 5~l25to I.
7•585 to I.
r 4~89to I.
Third Early ll~2
7~23 to I.
Overall RME Second ll~736to I. Models l9~42to I.
First 20~372to I.
Reverse 20.372 to I. l9~42to I.
Top I tol.
Third 1.48 to I.
Gearbox Second 2~29 to I.
First 3.975 to I.
Reverse 3.975 to I.
5
Riley Ij and 2+ Litre. Issue 3 (H & E) 87302—5/54
(1+ LITRE)
GENERAL DATA—continued
Castor 30
Toe-in Nil.
King-pin inclination II 0
Track 4 ft. 4j in. (1.327 in.).
Turning circle 30 ft (9.144 in.).
Wheelbase 9 ft. 4~ in. (2.858 in.).
Tyre size 5~75x 16.
Tyre pressure Front, 22 lb./sq. in. (1.6 kg./cm.2).
Rear, 24 lb./sq. in. (1.7 kg./cm.2).
REAR AXLE (Early Models)
Type Semi-floating.
Drive Spiral bevel.
Ratio 489to I.
Adjustment By distance-pieces on pinion.
Crown wheel set by screwed sleeves.
REAR AXLE (RME Models)
Type Semi-floating.
Drive Hypoid.
Ratio
Adjustment 8/41 ~zo 5.125 to I.
By distance-pieces on pinion and differential.
GENERAL DIMENSIONS
14 ft. II in. (4.55 in.).
Overall length
5 ft. 3k in. (1.613 in.).
Overall width
5 ft. k in. (1.54 in.).
Overall height
7j in. (19 cm.).
Ground clearance
24~ cwt. (1232 kg.).
Weight ...
I
Radiator hose top (outlet) Pre-formed to fit thermostat.
Radiator hose diameter—radiator to pump in. (3 1.7 mm.). Early models.
Radiator hose diameter—pump to head l~ in. (34.9
(3 1.7 mm.).
mm.), internal dia. x6~ in. (16.8 cm.) long.
Radiator hose top (outlet)
RMF models.
Radiator hose (RMF)—radiator to head l~ in. (31.7 mm.), internal dia. x2~ in. (66.7 mm.) long~
First oversize bore -I-~020 in. (.5 mm.). Bore size 3~l89 in. (81 mm.).
Second oversize bore (max.) +~040 in. (1.0 mm.). Bore size 3~209 in. (81.5 mm.).
Firing order 1,2,4,3.
Piston clearance, top ~002in. to ~0033in. (.05 mm. to ~084mm.).
Piston clearance, bottom ~00l8in. to ~0026in. (.046 mm. to ~066mm.).
Ring gap ... •008 in.—~0l2 in. (.2 mm.—3 mm.).
Number of compression rings Two.
Width of compression rings ~0927in. to ~0937in. (2.35 mm. to 2~38 mm.).
Number of oil control rings Two.
Width of oil control rings •1565 in. to ~l575in. (3.88 mm. to 3~90 mm.).
Oil pressure release valve operates 60 lb./sq. in. (4.2 kg./cm.2). RMF 50 lb./sq. in. (3.5
kg./cm.2).
Floating.
Gudgeon pin type ... ...
~866in. (22 mm.).
Gudgeon pin diameter ... ...
Hard push at 7Q0C.
Fit in piston ... ... ...
Push.
Fit in connecting rod ... ...
FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel tank level Electric gauge on panel.
Fuel delivery S.U. electric pump, Type L.
Carburetters S.U. horizontal, H4 (two).
Carburetter needles Normal—E.E.; Weak—E.M.; No rich setting is recom-
mended.
CLUTCH
Type Borg and Beck, l0/73C., 10 in. (25.4 cm.) diameter.
Facing Ferodo RYZ.
GEARBOX
Synchromesh Second, third, top.
Ratios
l5~0 to I.
CFirst and reverse I4~949 to I.
jSecond 8~835 to I. Early j 8~86 to I.
Overall RMF jThird 5•814to I. Models I 5•83 to I.
~Top 41 to I. to I.
rFirst and reverse 3~646 to I.
Gearbox ISecond 2~I55to I.
IThird l~4I8to I.
~Top I tol.
Castor angle 30
BRAKES (RMF)
Type Girling hydraulic. II in. dia. front and rear (27.94 cm.).
Type of lining MintexM.21.
Lining size Front: I0~43 in.x21 in.x~ in. (26.49 cm.x5~7cm.x
~48cm.).
Rear (LeadingShoe) : 1043 in. x2Iin .x~- in. (26.49cm.x
5~7 cm. x A8 cm.).
Rear (Trailing Shoe): 9~6 in. x2~ in. x ~ in. (24.38 cm. x
5~7 cm. x ~48cm.).
Number of rivets : Twelve.
Size of rivets a in. dia. x ~ in. long (.44 cm. x •91 cm.) (under head).
CAPACITI ES
Sump 14 pints (7.9 litres).
Gearbox 2~ pints (1.5 litres).
Rear axle RMF 2k pints (1.42 litres) ; early models 4 pints (2.27
litres).
Cooling system 21 pints (I 18 litres).
Fuel 12k gallons (56 litres).
GENERAL INFORMATION
TO OPEN THE BONNET
The bonnet is in two halves. To open each half it is necessary to pull the knobs, located at
the extreme ends of the glove tray, towards the operator to release the locks.
Each bonnet half is held in the vertical position by means ofa small stop latch, which is swung
round into a slot.
The bonnet is closed by releasing the latch, lowering the bonnet and pressing on the top to
engage the bonnet lock.
1=~
One of the bonnet latch release knobs is shown in this One of the small stop latches which retain the bonnet
illustration. halves in a vertical position.
The Starter Switch. Press the starter switch sharply and release it as soon as the engine fires.
Never operate the switch if the motor is still spinning.
Hand Throttle. This is a slow-running control for use when the engine is cold. In order
to increase the engine speed turn the knob in a counter-clockwise direction. The normal slow
running of the engine should be set by the carburetter throttle stop.
Ignition Control. To retard the ignition the knob should be pulled out. This hand knob does
not give control over the full ignition advance range, only over a portion of it. When the engine
is pulling hard, retard the ignition slightly to prevent pinking.
The Lamp Switch. This is a two-position switch. Pull out to the first stop to switch on the
sidelamps. Twist clockwise and pull again to the second stop to bring the headlamps into
operation.
Foglamp Switch. This is also a two-position switch. Pull out to the first stop to switch on
one lamp. Twist clockwise and pull again to bring both lamps into operation.
The Headlamp Dipswitch. The switch controlling the dipping of the headlamps is hand-
operated and located on the facia, adjacent to the steering wheel. It is of the repeating type and
switches on the full beams and dipped beam with alternate depressions.
The Panel Light Switch. The knob must be turned clockwise to bring the lamp into operation.
Further rotation decreases the intensity of illumination in order to reduce glare.
The Windscreen Wiper Control. The knob must be pulled upwards to bring both wiper blades
into automatic action. Depress the knob when the blades are at their extreme travel to stop the
operation and park the blades.
13
(14 and 24 LITRE)
GENERAL INFORMATION—continued
The radiator filler is under the left-hand side of The filler cap fitted to some of the earlier models.
the bonnet.
14
(14 and 24 LITRE)
GENERAL INFORMATION—continued
I
I JACKING THE CAR
The special jack is housed in the
toolbox under the bonnet and a wheel
is raised by inserting the jack bridge-
piece in one of the sockets provided
at each corner of the frame, after
the rubber protecting plug has been
removed.
nuts, bolts, and set screws with these threads in order to ensure their correct use with corres-
pondingly threaded components and the fitting of correct repIacement~.
Identification has been standardised and is effected in the following manner
Nuts. By a circular groove turned on the end face of the nut or by connected circles
stamped on one flat of the hexagon.
Bolts and Set Screws. By a circular depression turned on the head or by connected circles
stamped on one-4lat of the hexagon.
Wheel Stud Nuts. By a notch cut in all the corners of the hexagon.
These identification marks are clearly shown in the illustration below and it is obviously
of the utmost importance that any nuts, bolts, or set screws so marked are used only in con-
junction with their associated components having Unified threads and that only replacement
“
parts with Unified threads are used, as these are not interchangeable with Whitworth,
“
--7’-
—I
/
UNI Fl ED A.N.F
This illustration of the “Unified ‘~thread and A.N.F.chread to the same scale indicates
their close relationship.
As an interim measure, prior to the standardisation of the Unified thread, certain of the
“ ~‘
Hypoid axles fitted to Nuffield vehicles have been manufactured with A.N.F. threaded com-
ponents, and such axles are identifiable from the fact that they are fitted with wheel stud nuts
having the notch-type identification on the corners of the hexagon.
Care must be taken, in the case of these axles, to use the correct nuts, bolts and set screws
when reassembling or when fitting new components. With the exception of the wheel bolts
(which are notched) there is no identification mark on A.N.F. threaded bolts, nuts, and set
screws by which they can be identified readily.
Components and assemblies which have Unified threads or A.N.F. threads will be
“
identifiable by the new part numbers which have been allocated to them.
Certain service parts supplied with B.S.F. threads will bear no part numbers.
Thus—Assemblies with the old part numbers or without part numbers have B.S.F. threads.
Assemblies with the new part numbers have “ Unified ‘~ threads or A.N.F. threads.
Spanners. It is to be noted that all A.N.F. and Unified threaded nuts and hexagon-
“ ‘~
headed bolts are made to the standard American hexagon sizes and that spanners of the
appropriate size must be used when tightening or loosening them.
~ ~ ~ -a-” k” -~“ ~ ~“ ~ I”
For B.S.F. screws and nuts -448 529 604 -705 -825 •925 1-016 1-207 1-309 1-489
For A.N.F. screws and nuts .440 -504 -566 -629 -755 880 .944 1.132 1320 1-508
For “ Unified “ screws -440 -504 .566 630 755 .817 943 1-132 1-321 1-509
For “Unified” nuts (normal) -440 .504 -566 -692 755 •880 .943 1.132 1-321 l~509
NOTE :—In the case of some “Unified” threaded components the size of the hexagon for the nut
is different from that of the bolt. Where this occurs the spanner size is shown In heavy
type in the above table.
IMPORTANT
The nut and bolt sizes given in this manual refer only to the size of spanner
required to deal with them. Unless otherwise stated, the standard Whitworth
spanner size is given to deal with the B.S.F. threads originally used, in accordance
with the usual practice, i.e. a j in. spanner is required to undo a bolt which has
a .f~ in. B.S.F. thread.
It is to be noted, however, that later models employ A.N.F. or “Unified”
threads on certain components with a different size of hexagon, necessitating the
use of spanners of a different size. A key to the relative spanner sizes and to the
identification of” Unified “ threaded components is to be found above.
PERIODICAL AHENTION
Every 250 miles (400 km.) Inspect oil level in engine. Refill if necessary to Ref. A (page
P.2).
Every 500 miles (800 km.) See that wheel nuts are tight.
See that the radiator is full of water. The water level should be ~ in. (12 mm.) below the
filler neck and never allowed to sink so low that the cylinder outlet pipe opening is not fully
covered.
Test tyre pressures. (See Section 0.1.)
Every 1,000 miles (1600km.) Inspect oil level in gearbox and rear axle. Refill if necessary.
Attach grease gun filled with grease to Ref. D (page P.2) to the following grease nipple
fittings (10 in all) and give the pump two or three strokes
4 on swivel pins. 4 on track-rods. I on water pump shaft to Ref. C (page P.2), I on clutch
compensating shaft.
Examine le~’el in Girling brake supply tank and replenish with Girling fluid if necessary.
The tank should never be allowed to be less than half-full of fluid nor closer than ~ in. (12 mm.)
to the bottom of the filler opening.
Top up battery with distilled water.
Add engine oil to Ref. F (page P.2) to carburetter piston dashpot (later l4~ litre models only).
Apply grease gun filled with grease to Ref. D (page P.2) to transmission sliding joint and
universal joint nipples.
Use the oilcan sparingly on the carburetter controls, bonnet locks and operating mechanism,
seat adjusters, and brake-rod fork ends.
Every 3,000 miles (5000 km.) Drain engine and refill with fresh oil. (Page P.2.)
Withdraw rotating arm from distributor and add a few drops of engine oil to Ref. F (page P.2)
in the aperture. Also lubricate the automatic advance mechanism with engine oil through the
hole provided in the contact breaker base plate.
Add a smear of grease to Ref. D (page P.2) to the distributor cam contact breaker pivot
and to the face of the cam.
Check contact breaker gap.
Clean and re-oil air cleaner (overseas conditions).
Clean petrol pump contact points (2{ litre).
Check dynamo belt tension.
Lubricate rear spring leaves with oil to Ref. F (page P.2).
Remove dynamo lubricator, half-fill with grease to Ref. C (page P.2) and replace.
Examine the gaps of the sparking plug points and make sure that they are not too wide
they should be ~O25in. (.64 mm.).
Every 6,000 miles (10000 km.) Remove the filters from the carburetters and petrol pump,
clean and replace. (See Section B.)
Fit new oil filter element (2+ litre).
Clean and re-oil air cleaner (home conditions).
Drain gearbox and rear axle. Refill with fresh oil to Ref. B (pages P.2 or P.3 according to
the type of axle).
Oil Trafficators.
Remove wheel hub covers, substitute a grease nipple for each screwed plug, and give one
stroke of grease gun to each nipple. Use grease to Ref. C (page P.2). No lubrication attention
is required to the rear wheels on later models and the screwed plug is discontinued. The front
wheel hub caps on later models should be removed and repacked with grease to Ref. C.
Give one stroke of grease gun (use grease to Ref. C on page P.2) to grease nipple on hand
brake cable.
Check valve clearance.
Tighten door-hinge fixing screws.
Tighten spring seat bolts.
Apply grease gun to door hinges.
Every 12,000 miles (20000 km.) Remove sump, clean and replace. Refill sump with
fresh oil.
Change the oil filter complete (1+ litre).
Remove rear dampers (piston-type), clean and replenish if necessary. (Telescopic dampers
on the front and those fitted to the rear of later models should be removed, checked and
replaced if faulty.)
Replace sparking plugs with new ones.
Adjust dynamo and starter brushes.
Adjust clutch pedal clearances. (See Section E.l.)
Every 30,000 miles (50000 km.) Re-pack steering gearbox with grease either by dis-
mantling the unit or substituting a grease nipple for the steering stop, and using a grease gun
filled with grease to Ref. D (page P.2).
Grease to. Ref. D (page P.2) should also be inserted through the damper pad cover at the end
of the steering pinion.
non-corrosive anti-freeze in order to protect the cooling system and reduce corrosion to a
minimum.
The recommended quantities of anti-freeze for different degrees of frost resistance are
Down to Down to
70F. (~~~14o C.) 00F. (~18o C.)
(IS per cent. solution) (20 per cent, solution)
1+ litre. Quantity 2 pints (1.14 litres) 1+ litre. Quantity 2k pints (1.42 litres)
2+ litre. Quantity 3~ pints (1.85 litres) 2+ litre. Quantity 4~ pints (2.41 litres)
First decide what degree of frost protection is required before adding the anti-freeze to the
radiator. If temperatures below 00 F. (~180 C.) are likely to be encountered at least 25 per cent.
of anti-freeze should be used. Consult your local dealer for the correct quantity.
Make sure that the cooling system is watertight and examine all jolnits,replacirig any defective
rubber hose with new.
Before adding anti-freeze mixture to the radiator, it is advisable to clean out the cooling
system thoroughly by draining out the water and swilling out the water passages with a hose
inserted in the water filler-cap opening, keeping the drain tap open.
Avoid excessive topping-up, otherwise there is the risk of losing valuable anti-freeze, due
to the expansion of the solution. Only top-up when the cooling system is at its normal running
temperature.
Gei~erally speaking, anti-freeze is not injurious to cellulose paint, provided it is wiped off
in reasonable timed It must not, however, be allowed to remain on the paintwork.