racer2_uk Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share Posted December 12, 2015 (edited) Evenin everybody, The cracked flywheel is away to be copied, it will be in steel and should be ready at the end of January, the replacement crank bearing's have arrived, The water pump occasionally let out a drip so I had decided to strip and rebuild it, it came apart easily and the magneto drive side bush was a little worn, it pressed out and I was able to clean up the pump castings, A new bush, seals, taper pin and a gasket and it will be ready to pump again. On a slightly different note I have been able to find a brand new "KLG type F15" spark plug for my Napier Lion aero engine, I never thought I would find a spark plug that rare and old still in its box ! Andy Edited December 13, 2015 by racer2_uk (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 Evenin everybody, Apologies for the lack of updates on the Chalmers, festivities, birthday's and general life has just got in the way, I have spent a lot of time on the water pump and pump drive, I rebuilt the pump, I then checked out the alignment of the pump shaft from the drive to the magneto shaft with a turned alignment shaft, I found that the pump location diameter was different than the mounting location by 20 thou, the pump had been clamped previously by the small grease seal pad, this has now been shimmed and the pump shaft is now aligned. I have also made a new drive coupling that will allow a tiny amount of misalignment and still give me timing adjustment. Hopefully I will get back to normal and get a bit more done. Thanks for watching. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Looks fun! you do nice work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted January 24, 2016 Author Share Posted January 24, 2016 Hi JFranklin and all, Thanks for your kind words JFranklin, its a lot of fun and bloody annoying, I have got a bit more done, I have made up a bigger diameter fuel line from the fuel cut-off valve forward to a point were I can make up a final section to link up to other carbs in the future, I have stripped and regreased the steering column and adjusted the bearings, You can see an earlier repair on the control quadrants, the road springs have been removed and delivered to the spring specialists where the rears will get more lift and the fronts will be made equal height ! while the springs are off I am making and repairing some spring hangar pins and have some laser cut shackles being cut ready for machining, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 Evenin everybody, I have been doing loads of thing's to the Chalmers but haven't seemed to have got anywhere ! I have fully machined and fitted the new front spring shackles and pins, the springs should be ready to collect from being height adjusted for the rear's and the fronts equalled up, I have cleaned up the rear axle mounting to the springs, I also machined a slot to hold the bolt head when tightening, New rear spring bolts are ready to fit along with the spacer plate's to give more clearance between the brake tube and the spring's, Amongst many little jobs like making up some brass fitting's on a new fuel pipe to allow different carb's to be fitted, making new spring hangar bushes and painting bits and pieces, I managed to make up a new sump gasket, I managed to get hold of another Splitdorf model X magneto last week, although various shipper's, carriers and distribution companies had the opportunity of a game of football with it along the way, It is a shame a couple of useable part's are broken but I got a perfect distributor spinner, point's and arm assy, brass cover and most of the rotating part's, even getting the carbon's was good. I hope to get the spring's this week and then the flywheel, should be a bit more going on soon. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 Evenin everybody, I collected the springs, turned a couple of new bush's and with a bit of elbow grease they were fitted, I am particularly pleased with the front spring hanger's, they have turned out very well but took a lot of machining from laser cut blank's, I have also refitted the rear axle torque arm, when the previous owner changed parts of the car the torque arm was one of thing's he modified, I have refitted the front location point allowing it to work properly and look a bit better than it was, I also un-seized the main pivot pin, the top pivot had it's seal missing and so water and time did the usual, All the spring pivot's have been greased and split pinned, the axle mount's went straight on and are now moving freely with no play or binding, later this week I am going to visit my local crank balancing guy to find out what can be done and if his machine can take the weight of one of these old crank and flywheel lumps. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 Afternoon everybody, I must apologise for the lack of updates, the delay with the flywheel has been annoying to say the least but I can tell you it has now been machined and has only the keyway to be cut and then I will have it ready for it to go to the crank balancer ! In the meantime have a look at this lap from last year's Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, the Chalmers didn't get the fastest lap ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8EZvS9gvUI Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted March 6, 2016 Author Share Posted March 6, 2016 Afternoon everybody, I had a crash course in soldering last week and have started on a couple of repair's on the fuel tank and radiator, there were a couple of damp patch's around the drain point and the end's of the tank seam, The radiator outlet had a very slight leak which turned out to be a tiny crack in the brass, to make a good repair I have got to get the area level as the area was pushed in somehow, I have made up a frame to position the brass face ready to solder a new strengthening piece in place, I have just finished a small repair on the cooling fan mounting, the shaft is located with 2 flat's, these had worn over the year's and didn't lock in properly, this is now fixed. Hopefully a flywheel update will be here soon ! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted March 9, 2016 Author Share Posted March 9, 2016 Evenin everybody, As the supplies and various bits and pieces I needed for the radiator repair arrived I was able to make a brass strengthening plate to cover the small crack, give support and a flat face for the outlet elbow, it all went together well and will hopefully be a good repair, I am pleased with the result's of the soldering, many thanks to Chris Williams (Napier Bentley) for the crash course in soldering and the loan of tools. I have made a fuel tank drain plug because when the area was prepared and the old solder removed I realised that a brass disc had been soldered onto the outlet boss instead of having a plug fitted ! this one is an aluminium plug, it works well but I might make a brass one. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted March 17, 2016 Author Share Posted March 17, 2016 Evenin all, I have spent some time on the propshaft, I stripped it down and found 1 dry joint with a bit of wear, I turned up a couple of new bush's and it is ready to go, Now the big news ! The flywheel is done and is here ! I have to refit the clutch location's and clutch stops and then I will get it pressed on the crank and they will go away for balancing, then the work start's ! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted March 18, 2016 Author Share Posted March 18, 2016 Evenin everybody, More flywheel and crankshaft work done, I refitted the clutch location post's and went around to the agricultural engineer's to press the flywheel back on the crank, their press has a wide bed to take the flywheel with the crank hanging below, The new flywheel fitted perfectly and the locking nut and spring loaded detent pin went together easily, on Monday I will drop off the assembly at the balancer's. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruffsup Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I am impressed by the quality of your work and think it is great that you are documenting it all for us to see. Is there a Chalmers club ? Your car must be the best maintained of any existing examples. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted March 25, 2016 Author Share Posted March 25, 2016 Mornin Barry and all, Thank you very much for your kind words, it is appreciated, I really enjoy all aspect's of having the Chalmers, it has common sense engineering and is a hoot to drive, as you can see I am not a polisher but a user and all the work is really to get it back in a condition where I can have the fun with a little less time in the workshop in the future. There seems to have been a club in the not to distant past but due to someone passing it no longer functions, here in the UK there seems to be 4 examples, 3 being 4 cylinder car's and 1 a 6 cylinder, also another 4 cylinder car in Germany. Thanks again Barry. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 (edited) Evenin everybody, The crank balancer has done his work, thanks Mike Huddart, I collected the balanced crank and flywheel this morning and got straight into preparing it for the press, first off is the flywheel, then pressing the front bearing on the crank, then the rear bearing onto the flywheel and lastly the flywheel back onto the crank, this all went well, thanks Andy Roycroft. I made a set of lifting chains and got the crank assembly lifted up ready for the crankcase to be positioned underneath, With a little gentle persuasion the crank was back home, The whole assembly was now lifted onto the engine stand ready for the long hour's to commence, Andy Edited March 31, 2016 by racer2_uk no photos showing (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted April 1, 2016 Author Share Posted April 1, 2016 Evenin everybody, A quick update of the progress in the last couple of day's, the camshaft, timing gear's and follower's have gone back, The small brass block on the side of the crankcase is the air pump and non-return valve for the fuel system, the oil pump was also refitted and primed. The engine is starting to look good with the clean alloy and brass. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted April 2, 2016 Author Share Posted April 2, 2016 Evenin everybody, After a late start I got on quite well today, I re-fitted the pistons and prepared the block base and crankcase top, everything went together as planned, the engine stand I originally made when rebuilding the Napier Lion engine makes working on any engine a pleaseure and allows you to get all round the engine with ease, The gearbox went on with a bit of a fight as lining up a centre bearing, 3 clutch location posts and 8 mounting stud's is almost too much, the engine and gearbox are now ready to drop into the chassis, I am going to sleep well tonight ! Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 Evenin everybody, I did sleep well ! so after another late start I got to work, The engine and gearbox dropped in easily, the engine mounting bolts were refitted, tightened and split pinned, I had to check the alignment of the pulley's and slightly modify the dynamo position, this did need doing a long time ago ! The air compressor drive gear, coupling, water pump and magneto all went together after having spent a lot of time on them when I reconditioned the water pump, the exhaust downpipe located itself when I lowered the engine in, I was watching the mounting positions then realised it was fitted ! More sleep needed. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Nice Andy!!!!! I gave up on sleep a long time ago. There is no fun in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 Evenin Dwight and everybody, Dwight, I am pleased to know it is not just me with the sleep thing ! I got another good day on the Chalmers, I fitted a lot of the plumbing and improved on a couple of area's including a proper carb warming system and an oil filter, I have to test that the pump is up to the job of overcoming the filter back pressure, currently the pump only scavenges from the sump and via a dash glass returns the oil to the conrod dipping channel's in the sump top, If the filter works I will modify and paint up the mounting plate, Starting to look something like now, Now, about that sleep, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 Evenin everybody, Today was very productive and the Chalmers has come together well, lots of plumbing for the carb heating which I haven't had working before, I fitted the prop shaft but had to drop the torque arm to lower the diff flange a little as the prop shaft wouldn't compress enough to clear the pinion locknut, as soon as I did this everything bolted up, After adding engine, clutch and gearbox oil's, lot's of water in the radiator, attaching the battery and a couple of gallons of petrol it was time to try the engine, after making sure the ignition was on full retard and the fuel was through to the carb I tried the starting handle, on the second pull it fired up and sat at a high idle with very little dripping on the floor ! I made a couple of small adjustment's to the idle speed and the mixture and then backed the car out into the sunshine, After a few minutes warming up I drove up and down the lane to get a feel of how the winter work had changed thing's, the steering is a bit tight, the clutch needs adjusting and I need to check the air/fuel ratio, the main thing is after all the work and new flywheel the engine feels smooth and responsive. I hope the weather will warm up a bit before I venture to far. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruffsup Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 Your car is looking good ! Your fastidious rebuild about to pay dividends . Also looks like spring is well under way there compared with what we are getting , in Eastern Canada anyway ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 Evenin Barry and all, Thanks for your kind thought's Barry, it is really a load of fun to do ! We are starting to get warmer weather here, today in particular was very warm, just right for a short trip out on the Chalmers, 80 miles completed so far this year, the engine is a smoother than before, the flywheel does feel that bit heavier with a slower pick up but has nice cruise ability, the clutch has been dragging to much but I have reduced the oil capacity a couple of times and it now engages well with no drag or slip evident, I have never been able to get the clutch lube mixture or quantity just right until now. I am going to refit the compressor chain drive and that should be the final part to go back on. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted April 20, 2016 Author Share Posted April 20, 2016 Evenin everybody, The compressor went back on and pressure went up with only one small easy fix leak, I removed the air start timing disc and set it a little after TDC, engine turned and started first time, a really good result. The weather was good so a trip out was in order, I called in to Whitchurch, the old part has great buildings, 150 miles so far, everything is settling in well. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 Evenin everybody, We had a great day on Saturday at "The Bird on the Rock" tea rooms on the England / Wales border in South Shropshire, we met up with Chris Williams for the opening day and displayed vehicles out front, We had great food and lot's of tea and cake ! Chatted to lot's of vintage car people that dropped in, And generally had a lovely day ! I have changed the clutch lube again with a lighter weight mixture and a slightly smaller capacity and the clutch disengages quicker than before giving a must better engagement especially when cold. Getting everything ready for Curborough sprint on Sunday. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 1, 2016 Author Share Posted May 1, 2016 Evenin everybody, Curborough was very nearly almost dry ! the few spots of rain didn't cause any problems but it was really cold today, the Chalmers sailed through scrutineering and the practice runs went well, the first run was the quickest at 57.06, this was .44 better than my handicap time and .64 better than my previous best, a good day ! The usual incredible cars were in attendance, the De Dietrich 16.5 litre of Richard Scaldwell, Mark Walker and the Darracq, A great time was had by all, I am really looking forward to Shelsley Walsh. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 Evenin everybody, I have found a couple of youtube clips from last weekends Curborough sprint meeting, The sun has been out and I have had a few runs out on the Chalmers, the clutch is working well, the air start is still starting ! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 7, 2016 Author Share Posted May 7, 2016 Evenin everybody, A repair was needed today, the drivers side brake band location casting cracked, when the part was removed it was obvious there had been a repair that could only be seen at the back, I hit the location boss a few times with a hammer and it came off, after cleaning I had this, I did this repair on the passenger side part a couple of years ago, this side had no sign of a break or repair until now, I repaired and strengthened the locator, when it was two separate part's I put them in the lathe, turned the ends flat, drilled and tapped the end's, made up a strengthening strap with a distance spacer on the shoe location boss side, I could then weld the two part's while bolted in position, The part went on nice and straight and is now a lot stronger, The drum, wheel bearing, the brake shoe and band all were good to go straight back on, I made a small adjustment to the handbrake and went for a short test and everything was back to normal. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 Just looked in here, don't know too many Chalmers cars. That is my excuse for missing this thread and I am sticking to it. However, I have played around with early racing cars and speedsters for a few years. One of the finest single car threads I have seen in a long time. Wonderful reporting. Fantastic photos of a lot of incredible cars and meets (ralleyes?). I even saw several cars I am familiar with from other websites. I have for several years been envious of the Veteran car activities in the U K. Personally, I dislike wearing modern helmets with antique automobiles. I much prefer my leather helmet and goggles. Looks to me like you have a lot of fun with that car! Drive carefully, and do enjoy! W2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 8, 2016 Author Share Posted May 8, 2016 (edited) Evenin Wayne and all, Thanks for finding the British Chalmers outpost Wayne, your kind word's are appreciated, you are right, I just find the car so much fun to have. Because of the age and unknown history with these types of vehicles you always find something to do some work on and which people seem to enjoy when you show them, we all have the same sort of madness I think ! A lot of the event's I take the Chalmers to are organised by the Vintage Sports Car Club here in the UK, the member's of the club have and use some of the most amazing and historical car's, I just take a few photo's and post them up. This weekend I left the Chalmers at home and went with a friend to a motorcycle sprint at Hoghton Tower near Preston, a great weekend's sprinting with great motorcycles, If the weather stay's as it is I will go for a few run's this week to add a few more miles on the Chalmers. Andy Edited May 8, 2016 by racer2_uk (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 11, 2016 Author Share Posted May 11, 2016 Mornin everybody, The sun was out and the temperature up, time for a run out, for a change I headed towards the city, I stopped by at the world famous Gladstone pottery museum, the photo below show's how big the "bottle kiln's " were, there used to be thousands of these building's at one time, I also dropped in to see a great tractor restorer friend Mack, he has been collecting and restoring for over 50 year's and has fixed just about every kind of construction and agricultural machine known to man, The Chalmers has covered over 250 miles so far this year, I have carried out an engine oil and filter change, a few small adjustment's, a bit of greasing and it feels very good. Later in the year I have been invited to "The Great Dorset Steam Fair", 600 acres of early steam and other aged vehicles for a long weekend of showing off ! http://www.gdsf.co.uk/ Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 13, 2016 Author Share Posted May 13, 2016 Evenin everybody, We had a run over to the bikers café near Whitchurch last night, I parked up on a very wet car park and totally forgot about starting the engine to leave ! yes, I got wet feet, "must try harder" ! After drying my feet on the way home we arrived back with a petrol leak, it turned out to be a fuel pipe flare had cracked at the fuel tap, I removed and re-flared the existing pipe and secured the full length to stop any vibration. Today we drove to the Tracks to the Trenches event near Newcastle under Lyme, this ex-heavy industry area is now a parkland and heritage narrow gauge railway centre, we were welcomed in and parked next to a Rolls-Royce armoured car replica, a Vauxhall staff car and a 1917 Foden steam lorry, They had 6 or 7 WW1 engines on a great track layout that went from a station and marshalling yard to the trenches exhibit, This is the event, http://www.ww1-event.org/ It gave you another perspective of life in WW1, a lot was going on as well as the shelling and shooting, The Chalmers ran really well, everything that has been done seems to settling in nicely, another trip tomorrow if the weather plays ball. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 14, 2016 Share Posted May 14, 2016 I love that Steam Lorry! But then, I like a lot of that stuff. The Chalmers seems to be a great car four touring about and seeing the sights! Thank you for sharing the adventure! Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 14, 2016 Author Share Posted May 14, 2016 Evenin Wayne and all, The steam lorry was a wonderful thing to see trundling along, it had a belt driven tipping body ! The whole event was very good. Today we dropped in at Mill Meece pumping station for one of their open day's, this beautifully made steam engine had so much detail, It started to get cold so we set off, 350 miles and everything feels reasonable. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruffsup Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 Great stuff Andy. Going back to the Preston bike sprint of course the Rudge ( TT REP?) and the Sunbeam are recognizable . Not sure about the one in the back, looks AJS or Matchless. Curious about the 2 stroke with the wild expansion chambers. Could it be a pair of siamezed Scott engines? Love the modified GN's that seem to be so plentiful in the VSCC, make one wonder how many originals are left ! Cheers, Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 15, 2016 Author Share Posted May 15, 2016 Evenin Barry and all, The Hoghton Tower weekend is a good laugh, you never know what will turn up, Barry, the bike at the back is a Levis, I am sorry I don't have any more detail on that bike, the crazy expansions are fitted to a Krauser 4 cylinder 2 stroke sidecar racing engine, I would guess at about late '80's, and you are right about the amount of GN's in the VSCC, probably more than they made ! I decided on a short trip today to my favourite pub, The White Lion at Barthomley, there were a few bikes parked up which means question time about the Chalmers ! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 Evenin everybody, I had a visit from fellow VSCC member and racer Marcus in his Riley with co-driver Darcy, while we looked at his car he realised the race numbers were still on, here in the UK they are frowned upon when on a competition car, so 5 minutes latter, sorted, Yesterday I sorted out a problem with my dad's 1914 Daimler, it was running on 3, a new set of plug's and a contacts clean up and it was back to health, the sleeve valve engines do have a lot more oil in the cylinders for lubrication and the plug life can suffer a little, I do apologise as I forgot to take photo's but this is the car with the Chalmers, and from it's rebuild the pair's of sleeves in position, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 20, 2016 Author Share Posted May 20, 2016 Evenin everybody, I finally got round to fitting a set of bonnet clips I bought last year, I found a set that were usable and had a good patina then made some mounting plates, they are working very well, the bonnet fits better and there is less rattling ! I will get a bit of paint applied and that is one more job crossed off the long list. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Nice! It is always fun to get those little details done. Not exactly the same, however very similar to the ones on my '19 Ford boat-tail speedster. I don't know what they were off of originally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer2_uk Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 Evenin Wayne and everybody, Wayne, I have so many "details" I need to do, I usually go out for drive and don't get anything done. Today we drove over to a Military Vehicle event at one of our favourite local places, Foxfield steam railway, as well as working steam locomotives there were loads of Army vehicles, large guns and even a fibreglass tank ! I am impressed with any vehicle that has an "engineer's vice" bolted to the front bumper ! The Chalmers went well and the sun shone, until we set off for home and we got caught in a rain shower, no need to wash for a while now. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 " no need to wash for a while now. " You? Or the car? My apologies. It was a cheap shot. But I simply could not help myself! More wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing them. As Always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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