Van Den Plas Aluminum RB60?

[markb57]

Hi All, I have a question that is not directly related, but since this group is a font of knowledge about all sorts of obscure engine and vehicle information I thought I would ask here. I have read about the Rolls Royce six cylinder engine that was installed in the Van Den Plas Princess R, which featured an aluminum block, but was, if I understand correctly, otherwise an RB 60. I thought that this was interesting but of no real concern to me since I assumed that they were mostly sold in the UK. But yesterday I read that two thirds of these were shipped to North America and this suddenly became interesting to me as I contemplate the possibilities of a Bentley special. Does anyone know if this aluminum block six shares most of it's components with the RB 60, or is the commonality in name only, so spare parts availability would be a nightmare. Many thanks for any information available.

 

Mark B.

Indiana, USA

[Nick Johns]

Probably not a good idea to use this engine, they are all very old now and were prone to cylinder head and head gasket problems, the Austin Vanden Plas R. FB60 alluminium engine was developed between BMC and Rolls as a variation of the cast iron Military B60 engine but has a shorter stroke, so no doubt had quite a lot of other differences too between the two engines. The FB60 engine was Only ever used in the Austin Vanden Plas R, Rolls Royce were never going to lower themselves and sell any of their car engines to a mass car maker like Austin

As for spares situation try Bannisters the specialists in spares for Military Rolls Royce engines, I am sure they will know what or if, any Military B60 parts are interchangable with the alluminium FB60 engine

wjrbanister@btconnect.com

Edited August 30, 2014 by Nick Johns

[markb57]

Probably not a good idea to use this engine, ......

wjrbanister@btconnect.com

 

Nick,

 

Thanks for your valuable insight!

 

 

Mark

[ArtistsRifles]

I used to have a Van Den Plas 4 Litre R -one of the best British cars I ever had! There is an owners register, it can be found on the web at http://www.vpoc.info/ - this would also be a good place to ask the sort of questions you want answers to.

 

Unlike a lot of Austin products of the era the VDP 4 litre R was actually well built and extremely comfortable. Not quite so quiet you could hear the clock tick :laugh: but quiet enough that a friend who had been deaf from an early age could hold a normal conversation with the driver from the back seat.

[Jerrykins]

As an apprentice I worked on the FB60 assy line at Crewe, having previously worked in the B / K range overhaul dept. The all ally FB60 is light & powerful by comparison to the B range, as it was conceived for automotive not commercial use. The FB60 has much more in common with the L (R-R V8) engine and was designed by the same team. The FB60 utilises hydraulic tappets and anodised aluminium c'case and head (it is important to use treated coolant/glycol). They are otherwise quite conventional, they are strong long lived engines as one would expect. I have one in the barn and it runs well on its oak bedplate, I will one day fit it to a vehicle, when a suitable vehicle comes my way! I was lead to believe what became the Silver Shadow was originally to be fitted with a smaller FB60 engine, but the policy decision was made to stick to the existing S3 (Silver Cloud III) V8 engine. Good luck with your project.

[monty2]

As Aston man I know all the trouble with alu engines and anti freeze of the early days. All DB5/4/6 and early V8 had major problems with the wet liners fitted in the Alu block, that is where the alu is corrodated away at the bottom, needing welding and machining to fit the wet liners again. All together pretty expensive, so if you buy and old alu engine becarefull.

[markb57]

Great input from all. Tanks a lot! (accidentally missed the "h" key, but decided it was serendipity and left it out!)

 

Mark B.

Indiana, USA

[Mark Harrington]

Any idea firing order vdp 4litre r 

[wally dugan]

VANDEN PLAS R 153624

Edited September 29, 2021 by wally dugan

[David Herbert]

Virtually all straight 6 engines are 153624. It is an inevitable result of the crank design which has to be that way to get the dynamic balance. The only other possibility is 142635 which is 153624 reversed, but this is very unusual.

David