Welcome to the RM Riley Technical Tips Web Site
On this web site you will find technical articles on RM Rileys. Just click on the subject which interests you.
This site is a mirror of the sites at www.rmriley.funurl.com and http://rmriley.99k.org and since it uses a different host computer at least one of these sites should be working all the time. Sorry about the adverts on this site but that is the price to be paid for free web hosting. There are no adverts on either of the other sites.
You can also find useful information on RM Rileys at the following Club sites
Riley Motor Club
Riley RM Club
If you cannot find the answer to your problem here, in the Workshop Manual or on one of the above sites, you can e-mail your question to us and we will try to answer it.
Brief History of the RM Series Rileys
Riley RM Maintenance Notes All you want to know about fault find and overhauling the steering system, the charging system, clutch, the engine bearings and much more but were afraid to ask! The Notes are in PDF format and can be printed out for ease of viewing.
Setting the Float Level. All carburettor tuning should start with getting the float level right. Too low will give poor running while too high will give a high fuel consumption. The method described in the Workshop Manual gives a start point but we can do better using the method described here.
Assembling the RMF water pump The Worshop Manual details how to take the RMF water pump apart but gives no information on how to reassemble it apart from pictures which are difficult to see. Here we enlarge the pictures and add a description.
Charging Faults. If you are having problems with the charging system our fault finding check list will help you. It is taken from our RILEY RM MAINTENANCE NOTES and if you need more information you will need these.
RM Body Structure When carrying out a body repair or a full restoration it is important to know how the body is constructed and how the various wooden bits fit together. In these photographs we reveal all (well almost all).
Recovering a Saloon Roof
Body Woes - Weekend Repairs
A-Post Repair How to make and fit a steel A-post to overcome wood rot problems and ensure that the door lock striker plate never comes loose again.
Early RM Brakes
1. Riley Sales and Service Bulletin Jan 1947
2. Riley Sales and Service Bulletin July 1948
3. Riley Sales and Service Bulletin Jan 1949
4. Girling Technical Bulletin April 1949
5. The
Compensation Link
Setting Torsion Bar Ride Height the easy way
Front Suspension Wishbone Bearings
Taken from Riley Sales & Service Bulletin Vol.2 No.1, these photographs show exploded diagrams of the front suspension kingpins and struts.
Rear Road Springs
Basic specifications and rejuvination tips.
Connecting the Ignition Leads and Timing the Ignition
Setting up the ignition the easy way
Spark Plugs
List of spark plugs
Setting Valve Clearances
With two sets of rockers to contend with setting the valve clearances can get confusing but there is an easy way to avoid the confusion.
Elusive Missfire
Unusual Cause of a Missfire
Keeping the Engine Warm in Winter
Fitting Snow Chains
Taken from Rileys Sales & Service Bulletin Vol.4 No.9 of February 1951, this is how to fit snow chains - hmmm.
Clutch Plate Alignment
Refitting the clutch and gearbox with the engine still in the car can be very hard work and nothing seems to line up first time. Here are a couple of tips which will make life a bit easier.
Clutch Rod Repair
It is all too common to have the lower clutch rod break usually at a very inconvient moment! For those in a hurry there is a simple way to repair the old rod which will minimize the risk of further breakages even if the adjustment is not quite right.
Complete Clutch Overhaul
The need for a clutch overhaul is usually indicated by the clutch slipping under heavy load. This can be due to a number of causes including poor adjustment, oil on the clutch facings and wear of the clutch facings. Whatever the cause it should be attended to immediately. Here we tell you how to do it and give tips for making it easier.
2� Litre Engine Oil Leak
An oil leak from the head gasket behind the exhaust system is a common sight - here's how to cure it. Note also the paragraph below the picture which explains why big ends fail.
The Hot Spot System
Many owners of 1� litre cars have already removed the hot spot system as it makes cylinder head removal much easier. The usual procedure once everything is apart is to remove or simply cut off the tubes from the exhaust manifold and plug the resulting holes. Nothing needs to be done on the inlet side although the aluminum elbow can be thrown away. However, a further advantage can be gained by complete deletion of the hot spot system in both 1� and 2� cars. To see how read on......
Left Hand Drive Differences
The differences between the LHD and the RHD variants is a question which arises often particularly if the owner is considering change from one to the other. In November 1948 Rileys issued a Bulletin covering this. To view this read on...
RMF Rebuild Project
Andre Kahr is undertaking a full rebuild of an RMF and is creating a diary for the project which he is putting on the net for our benefit. As well as a full description of the work being undertaken he is providing a full set of excellent photographs showing all the gory details. If you are considering a full rebuild or just want to see what an RM looks like under the skin this is a "must see" site.
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