Ron Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 (edited) Not WD but just for interest sake. I recently acquired this 1938 Model J engine that was seized solid. A previous owner had cut the con rod to somehow remove the barrel. So far it's taken me 4 x 4 hour stints to get it totally stripped. When I finally got the timing cover off, the cams and idler wheels were missing, but I've got some coming from Belgium. I'm looking into replacing the "cage and roller" main bearings with standard type bearings. I've sent the sizes to my bearing guy and await his reply. So far I've thoroughly cleaned up the timing side case ready for bead blasting. More to follow. Ron Edited September 8, 2021 by Ron 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 I decided not to bead blast the cases, just hand clean them as best as I could back to their original finish. All the oil ways were blocked with a hard dry clay material, which have all been cleaned out now. I've cleaned up and reinstalled the cam followers and cam spindles. The worn 3/16" ball in the oil return spout was a sod to remove, but all cleared now and a new ball going back in. I've also acquired a complete NOS Big end and con rod (the original floating bush type.) It sounds like good news on the conversion main bearing issue. More details when they arrive. Hours spent so far = 25. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 Nice little project Ron, good work! What’s the plans with it when the engine is completed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 ????I've no idea Steve? I'm sure a friend of mine would like it for his WD/CO sidecar outfit, but it's about 1" longer than a CO engine. I have also got a 1938 Model J front frame section to go with the engine.......Hmmm! Will it fit to CO rear frame??🤔 Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 Today I cleaned up the flywheels and have been soaking the timing case in cleaning solvent. (the ancient concrete look is fading) The flywheels are pitted where they have been sat in the clay that was in the bottom of the crankcase. I'll take advice about maybe getting the outer edges skimmed back by 1/16"or something. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 I've acquired a NOS con rod complete with the usual Royal Enfield white metal floating bush big end and small end bush. I have a NOS piston coming from Tasmania. Darren the bearing guy has come up trumps with heavy duty needle roller main bearings. I just need to get some 1/8" thick sleeves made up to take the smaller OD of the bearings. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 18, 2021 Author Share Posted September 18, 2021 The timing cover had the appearance of ageing concrete. So after a lengthy process of cleaning solvent, hot water with bleach and fairy liquid, brass bristle brush, light grit blasting, wire wool and finally a light polish with Solvol........It's acceptable now. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 4 hours ago, Ron said: The timing cover had the appearance of ageing concrete. So after a lengthy process of cleaning solvent, hot water with bleach and fairy liquid, brass bristle brush, light grit blasting, wire wool and finally a light polish with Solvol........It's acceptable now. Ron Looks great Ron, the elbow grease has been worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 18, 2021 Author Share Posted September 18, 2021 I wonder if it's really worth all the effort Steve. 36 + hours just to get to this. For an engine I don't need. But once I started it, I have to finish it. There are also quite a few parts to find and buy. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 OK it turns out that the NOS floating white metal big end I acquired can't be used without some serious modifications to the flywheels. Unlike a lot of RE engines, these ones were originally fitted with roller bearing big ends. So I now have a specially made NOS needle roller conversion big end coming from Belgium, which only requires the B/E eye to be bored out a touch. Apparently these have been proved on the race track. So my whole crank will be revolving on caged needle rollers. I have just noticed that Hitchcocks are offering needle roller main bearing conversions too. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 If I remember correctly, you can’t fit CO rear frames to the J, well you could but, as the angles change the gearbox plates don’t line up. The engine also doesn’t sit well in the rear frame as it sits about an inch lower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 Yes Chris I did a very quick/rough size up against a WD/C, and the rear engine plates would need modification. Without further investigation, I would assume that the front mounting would determine that the engine would sit correctly in the J frame and that the rear plates would need to be extended up by about an inch. It's probably all hypothetical though as It will probably never happen. At the moment I'm "semi" enjoying the challenge of saving the engine. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 30, 2021 Author Share Posted September 30, 2021 My sleeves for the needle roller mains are made and pressed in. There is an oil hole in the outer race of the drive side bearing, so a corresponding hole was made in the sleeve, plus a groove right round so that both oil delivery galleries will supply plenty of oil. I now also have all the parts of my new needle roller big end ...Big thanks to Jan for donating the machined parts and to Darren for donating all the needle roller bearings......Their generosity is outstanding. I'll be off to Ainsley soon for assembly and truing the flywheels. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 Looking good Ron! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted October 8, 2021 Author Share Posted October 8, 2021 (edited) The crankshaft is back from Ainsley with it's new conrod and "racing" needle roller big end. I've done a dummy run fit into the crankcase to make sure there is some end float. I now need to complete my list and submit an order to Hitchcocks. I've also acquired a good used oil pump spindle to replace the original corroded spindle. Ron Edited October 8, 2021 by Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted October 10, 2021 Share Posted October 10, 2021 Nice work Ron! and I all saw it on your workbench last monday! Cheers, Lex 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootes75 Posted October 10, 2021 Share Posted October 10, 2021 Looking very good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 A parcel from Hitchcocks arrived yesterday which includes the magdyno strap, which is best installed when the crankcase halves are joined. I've put them together with cleaned up studs, all new nuts and Welseal jointing compound. The NOS +20 piston arrived from Tasmania, I've cleaned the barrel which is on standard and dropped it and the piston at Ainsley's for a rebore. A gudgeon pin and original rings have also arrived from Hitchcocks today. I also just noticed a crack in the timing pinion gear which will also need replacing. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 Hello Ron, I have a few spare timing gears in my box of engine parts. If you're interested I'll see what I have and send you a picture. One of the sets I have is a slightly different cam shape to the others, although I'm not sure what Royal enfield model they were from. Send me an email if you want me to look them out. Regards, Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 Cheers Tom, email sent. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 (edited) I've sorted out some nice condition cams and pinion gears from different types, fitted new bushes and thrust washers and screwed the cover on with new screws. No gasket fitted as yet as the cover will have to come off at some point to install and time a magneto. The cylinder and piston are still with Ainsley, so I'll probably start on the head next. Ron Edited October 20, 2021 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 Getting there now Ron! Looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted October 27, 2021 Author Share Posted October 27, 2021 I picked up the rebored barrel today from Ainsley and checked the ring gaps before installing them on the new Hepolite piston. Just got to do the final cleaning and spray with VHT paint. The valve guides were quite worn so I pressed them out and fitted new ones. Fortunately they are the same as a WD/CO so easy to obtain from Hitchcocks, and the valves are good too. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted October 30, 2021 Author Share Posted October 30, 2021 The final push this week. I just need a rocker oil feed pipe and buy some new reduced hex cylinder base nuts. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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