Info
Riley 4/72
| 1961 to 1969 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Riley 1500 (Argentina) Riley Comet (Austria) |
| Production | 1961-1969 14,151 made |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Related | MG Magnette Mark IV Siam Magnette 1622 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1622 cc B-Series Straight-4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 100.5 in (2,553 mm) |
| Height | 58 in (1,473 mm) |
The Riley 4/68 and 4/72 are cars produced by BMC from 1959 through the 1960s. They are related to the Pinin Farina-designed Austin A55 Cambridge, MG Magnette Mk. III, Morris Oxford V, and Wolseley 15/60, sharing the MG's rear styling and engine (with a milder cam).
Just before the 1961 Motor Show, in October, the car became the 4/Seventy-Two. Closely related again was the 16/60 update to the Wolseley car. The engine was now 1.6 L (1622 cc), and Riley again got the twin-carb version with 68 hp (51 kW). It also used an improved suspension with anti-roll bars. The wheelbase was 1 in (25.4 mm) longer, through the moving of the back axle rearwards, and the front track was increased by 2 inches (5 cm)These modifications to the wheel locations were made at the same time to all the BMC Farina saloons, and were seen as an answer to criticism of the indifferent road holding of the 1959 cars.
Borg Warner automatic transmission became an option in the Riley at the same time, making the Riley the first mass-produced car in Europe to adopt the Borg-Warner 35 system following Borg-Warner's establishment of a plant at Letchworth to produce a transmission package that ten years earlier had been developed for US applications.
Further modifications to the suspension a year later included 'recambering the rear springs' to improve ride and roadholding, but from the outside there was little to distinguish the later Rileys from the models as they had appeared in 1959, and the car continued very little changed until its withdrawal in 1969.
The 4/72's main competitor, appearing in 1963,was the Humber Sceptre from the Rootes Group - with an 85 hp engine, 4 speed manual or 3 speed automatic (post 1965) and a more modern interior it thoroughly trounced the 4/72 in reviews of the period.
PERFORMANCE:
- Engine Capacity 99.20 cu in, 1622 cu cm
- Fuel Consumption 28.0 m/imp gal, 23.3 m/US gal, 10.1 1 x 100 km
- Max Speed 81.0 mph, 130.4 km h
- max power (SAE): 71 hp at 5000 rpm
- max torque (SAE): 89 1b ft. 12.3 kgm at 2500 rpm
- max number of engine rpm: 5700
- specific power: 43.8 hp/l
- power-weight ratio: 34.6 lb/hP. 15.7 kg/hp
- acceleration: O —50 mph (0-80 km/h) 13.2 sec
The 4/72 was sold as the Riley 1500 in Argentina and as the Riley Comet in Austria.
Technical
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Riley 4/72 Technical details and specifications (1961-1969)
1.6L B series Engine
ENGINE:
No. of cylinders 4/OHV
Capacity 1622 cc
Compression ratio 8.3:1
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Suitable for unleaded petrol No
Fuel system Make 2 SU type HD 4 semi-downdraft carburettors
Fuel system Fuel pump pressure 0.14-0.27 bar bar
front. 4 stroke, cylinders: 4, vertical, in line
bore and stroke: 3.00 x 12.3 in, 762 x 88.9 mm
engine capacity: 99.20 cu in, 1622 cu cm
compression ratio: 8.3 : 1
cylinder block: cast iron
cylinder head: cast iron
crankshaft bearings: 3
valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, in line, with push rods and rockers
camshaft: 1, side
lubrication: rotary pump, full flow filter
lubricating system capacity: 3.70 imp qt 4.40 US qt, 4.2 1
fuel feed: electric pump
cooling system: waterTRANSMISSION:
driving wheels: rear
clutch: single dry plate; gear box:
mechanical; gears: 4 + reverse
synchromesh gears: 2nd, 3rd, 4th
gear box ratios: (I) 3.637, (II) 2.215, (III) 1.373, (IV) 1, (Rev) 4.755
final drive: hypoid bevel; ratio: 4.3 : 1.CHASSIS:
type integral
front suspension: independent, wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar, lever dampers
rear suspension: rigid axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings, anti-roll bar, lever dampers.STEERING:
cam and peg
turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 3.25.
turning radius (between walls): 18.5 ft. 5.6 mBRAKES:
drum, 2 front leading shoes; braking surface: 146.50 sq in. 944.92 sq cm.ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT:
Ignition coil Make Lucas Type LA12
Distributor Make Lucas No. 25D4 41282
Distributor Contact breaker gap 0.4 mm
Distributor Dwell angle 57-63° (63-70%)
Starter motor Make Lucas Type M35G
Maximum cranking amps 97-119 A
Alternator (Dynamo) Make Lucas Type RB106-2/4TR
Regulated voltage 13.9-14.3 V
voltage: 12 V
battery: 58 Ah
dynamo: 22 Ah
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT:
wheel base: 100.25 in, 2546 mm
front track: 50.62 in, 1286 mm
rear track: 51.37 in, 1305 mm
overall length: '188.12 in, 4778 mm
overall width: 63.00 in, 1600 mm
overall height: 58.00 in, 1473 mm
ground clearance: 6.00 in, 152 mm
dry weight: 2452 1b, 1162 kg
distribution of weight: 54.6 0/0 front axle, 45.4 0/0 rear axle© Motor car History
Service
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Riley 4/72 Practical Instructions and Service Guide (1961-1969)
1.6L B series Engine
Spark plugs Electrode gap 0.8 mm
Spark plugs Tighten 35 Nm
Spark plugs Original equipment Champion Type RN9YCC
Engine oil grade - moderate climate 15W/40 SAE 1OW-20W (winter) 30W (summer), change every 3000 miles, 4800 km
Engine oil change 4.96 litres
Manual gearbox oil 2.56 litres SAE 80-90. change every 6000 miles, 9600 km
Automatic transmission oil 6.25 litres
Differential oil rear 1.28 litres SAE 90, change every 6000 miles, 9600 km
steering box oil: 0.2 imp qt. 0.2 US qt, 0.2 1, SAE 90
cooling system capacity: 4.7 imp qt, 5.6 US qt, 5.3 1.
greasing: every 3000 miles. 4800 km, 9 points
tappet clearances inlet 0.015 in, 0.38 mm, exhaust 0015 in. 0.38 mm
valve timing: (inlet) opens 0° before toc and closos 50° after bcic, (exhaust) opens 05° before bdc and closes 15° after tdc
tyre pressure (normal load):front 23 psi, rear 25 psi
tyres: 5.90 - 14
Road wheels Tighten 83 Nm
fuel tank capacity: 10.00 imp gal, 11.88 US gal, 45 1.© Motor car History
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