I was the originator of this thread, but I've had a change of identity on the forum as my previous logon was a works address that is no longer used so I can't logon and alter my setting - hence the new account.
What else is there to do when lockdown means you can't get out to play? Its been a long time but finally guilt about the Maxwell project sitting in the corner of the shed (and that everything else is working and can't be broken 'cos I'm not allowed to use it) means I've dusted it down and applied myself. I'm shocked when I see the date of my previous postings, have I really had it 10 years? Gulp! Anyway, it really is time to get on with it.
There had been progress in the past. I had a new CWP made by a specialist gear cutting outfit - not actually as expensive as I expected. The hubs have been modified to take Sankey artillery wheels (several reasons; I had no wheels, making replacement wooden wheels would be exorbitant - as are the BE tyres, I plan to use it for a bit of competition with the VSCC so it needs sound wheels), a new flywheel as the ring gear was completely shot with new clutch lining. Engine has been apart and checked (there's a story there, see below), I made a 2 seater raceabout body. Then I tried to get it running, and after several months without success I got discouraged and it got pushed into a corner of the shed and ignored it.
However....... with nothing else to do I revisited it. I have two original carbs., but from various posts and from looking at them I decided they would have to go. It was suggested (on here I think) that a Model A Ford carb. might suit. I got hold of one - and discovered it couldn't be fitted as it fouled the rear of the magneto. Fortunately I had a another magneto about 1cm shorter. That almost allowed it to fit, and a bit of judicious filing of the float bowl and one of the mag terminal screws mean I have 2mm clearance. The downside is that I have to remove the carb. to access the magneto. Next problem, and one of the reasons I gave up, is that the starter motor (definite proof that size doesn't equal performance!) can only crank the engine over at about 1 rev/second. Nothing like fast enough to get a decent spark. However, I have had Austin 7s over the years, they are normally 6V and the standard mod to make them usable is to modify them to 12V. It does the starter no harm so I reasoned that if I (temporarily) used 24V that might get it cranking over at a decent speed. Forget "temporary|", it fired up instantly. Proof is here;
https://youtu.be/KYPGntg03JQ
To describe that as a breakthrough would be an understatement!! There is now an unexpected surge of enthusiasm to get on with it.
Oh yes, the engine....................
It was claimed to have been rebuilt in the past, but I thought I'd just take the head off and have a look. New pistons, a good sign. Then, lets drop the sump - just for a look. Nice and clean, but... what is a sock doing in there? Honestly! Black, gents, in good condition (a bit oily) and even my size but only one so not a lot of use. It can't have got in via the oil filler so it must have been left there by whoever did the rebuild. Is there someone out there wondering why he only has one sock? Hm! Lets look further, so I got a torch and looked up the bores. Not sure quite what I was seeing, but it didn't look quite right - so head off and pull out a piston. This is what I found;
It would appear that when someone replaced the pistons, they couldn't find any with the correct crown height - so they decided to shorten the rod by getting it hot and putting it in a press. To be fair, it was done with skill as they were true in every dimension - but would you risk it? I wouldn't, so I sourced a set of new Model B ford rods. Slight mods needed to gudgeon pin etc but they actually fitted.