PFindlay Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 Among Charlie's Shaver's collection of parts was a Russell-Knight engine, actually a Daimler 22 HP Knight engine imported by Russell (in Canada). I spoke to him a few times and he had plans to build a car around it. Sadly Charlie is gone now. I'd like to know if anyone knows what happened to that Knight engine. Below is a picture of it. My reason for asking is that I have the only Russell-Knight with that same engine and I suffered a bad experience this week - a broken sleeve. So I'm desperately seeking anyone with knowledge of Charlie's engine, or early Daimler Knight engines. If there are any parts out there I'd appreciate any leads. Also seeking contact for anyone who might be able to make sleeves. Thanks, Peter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcarfudd Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 Peter, are you familiar with the Willys Overland Knight Registry? wokr.org. While they're mainly involved in Willys and related cars, they probably have some spillover into other Knight-engined cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 There are guys that can manufacture you a sleeve. Obviously it’s gonna be some money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 I wouldn’t be too confident in almost anyone making sleeves.....I can think of two or three guys I would trust....... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, oldcarfudd said: Peter, are you familiar with the Willys Overland Knight Registry? wokr.org. While they're mainly involved in Willys and related cars, they probably have some spillover into other Knight-engined cars. Right there in the name, Knight registry!👍 The club covers all Knight engined vehicles.🤗 WOKR.org Edited March 11, 2022 by Frank DuVal (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 (edited) There is an article in the W.O.K.R. club magazine "The Starter" a few years back covering a rebuild that entailed making new sleeves due to too much clearance. Maybe all it needed was more carbon?. Maybe you can locate that edition, as it described the process the machine shop used. Edited March 11, 2022 by JFranklin (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFindlay Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share Posted March 11, 2022 Thanks for all the suggestions. I will be checking with the WOKR group. Ed, I will PM you for names if you can share them. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 I put a shout out on the MTFCA forum. Charlie had a lot of friends there, and was a regular contributor on that forum. He and I traded a number of emails and PMs over the years, and we discussed his Russel Knight several times. Unfortunately, I have no idea what became of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFindlay Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share Posted March 11, 2022 Thanks Wayne, it was an MTFCA guy that originally put me onto Charlie and his Russell. It would be great if someone there had a lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 9 hours ago, edinmass said: I wouldn’t be too confident in almost anyone making sleeves.....I can think of two or three guys I would trust....... I said there were "guys". I was thinking probably 3 too. However, WOKR club members have made sleeves, so it is doable if you love your car enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 pm sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 1 hour ago, alsancle said: I said there were "guys". I was thinking probably 3 too. However, WOKR club members have made sleeves, so it is doable if you love your car enough. So the real problem making sleeves is the shop has to want to do it...........not just take it as another job. The good guys are busy, and to be fair......expensive. Fact is getting them right is ten times more difficult than most people think. And you need a shop willing to stand behind their work.....and deal with issues as they come up.......AND THEY WILL COME UP.........if I were making new sleeves, I would rough out three sets.....and only finish one set and try them. I would EXPECT to have problems and figuring that the motor will need a tear down after just a few hours of running. There are a few engines that you just can't simply rebuild and forget....and a sleeve valve is one of them. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 Always thought what would change a Knight sleeve valve engine today is modern materials. Something like ceramics. Lots of moving parts with friction area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregush Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 Waynes post on the Model T Ford Club of America, has found a possible lead. Someone on AACA Forum Wanting Charlie Shaver Info? - MTFCA Forum 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFindlay Posted March 13, 2022 Author Share Posted March 13, 2022 8 hours ago, Mark Gregush said: Waynes post on the Model T Ford Club of America, has found a possible lead. Someone on AACA Forum Wanting Charlie Shaver Info? - MTFCA Forum Thanks, I've been following up on that. Peter 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now