10-05-2025, 01:06 PM
(06-05-2025, 09:41 PM)Ruairidh Dunford Wrote: Bill Williams and Chris Dalby were good people to listen to.
The engine is in very good order - great job.
This morning I took the rods off the crank to further assess the condition of the old engine. The white metalling looks as if has just been done and the crank journals are unmarked. To my mind this is quite amazing after 42 years and the sump having never been off, not to mention the various oils that have been used over the years. I still have a small pocket diary for 1982 in which I noted the work on the engine as I built it. On November 6th that year I made a note that I torqued the big end nuts (nylocs) to 15 lb/ft, as recommended by Chris Dalby. Good advice!
I also see from my notes that I broke two of the piston rings whilst fitting them to the pistons. I recall that I used two secondhand rings to replace the broken ones.
As reported earlier I have found a stock of new piston rings which will allow me to replace the two upper rings on each piston.
The engine will then be going back together as soon as I have finished the new one. The rear end of the crank needs a modern oil seal and I will dispense with the deep Nippy sump.