I’ve volunteered to rebuild the Club’s “cutaway” 2.25 petrol engine. As you can see, it’s currently a box of bits having been stripped down some time ago. It needs to be resurrected and to be made looking good for any events or shows that we feel might benefit from its presence. I thought I’d start a thread on here covering progress.
There is a factory reconditioning plate on the block, and no stamped engine number so assume LR ground it off when it was send for reconditioning. It looks like an early engine – deep thermostat housing, split rocker shaft and so on. The part number on the reconditioning plate is 524139. A bit of digging in old parts books showed nothing. I found a September 1960 Service Newsletter stating this number for reconditioned engines. I assume that this suggests that this engine is one of the very early 2.25 engines for Series 2 vehicles. If anybody knows anything about the history of this particular engine or thinks differently as to what it is, please let me know.
I may be on the scrounge for any parts that we are missing, so be prepared for some begging for club favours over the next few months. Immediate needs seem to be:
• A water pump – early type p/n 501041. If anybody has a worn out early pump that might be prepared to donate rather than have reconditioned, please let me know.
• A set of spark plugs – obviously we can go new and cheap, but if anybody has an old set of something like original Lodge plugs or early Champion plugs, that would be great.
• Some collets
• A set of big end shells (standard)
• A set of main bearing shells (standard)
I want to use standard so that the engine can be made to turn freely if possible. A worn-out set is fine – I can mix and match with what I have.
I have a full Britpart gasket set which will cover most of the top and bottom although I think I’ll fit a copper head gasket as its more in keeping with the period. I reckon I have at least one spirited away. I’ll need the right water pump gasket or I’ll make one.
I would welcome opinions on what colours we should be painting this. Currently the head and front cover are painted in what Paintman refer to as 2/2A Engine Blue. I’m not sure how correct that is. The inside of the block looks like it has a more white / cream colour. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what colour it should be and if the current choice is correct? If its going to be a showpiece again, I feel we ought to get it as accurate as possible.
All the cut lines will be detailed in red gloss so its obvious what should be there and what should not. The sump and any brackets will be black gloss. The rocker cover, flywheel housing and inlet manifold will be bare aluminium (although possibly lacquered so they don’t corrode). Unfortunately somebody has painted the carburettor and the top is dented, which makes it look a bit rubbish. I think I’ll dig out one of my spare casings and try and rebuild it into another casing so it looks more original.
Lots will need doing – castings, valves, pistons and so on will need polishing. I want it to look like it did when it was built originally. I know that these presentation engines and gearboxes are phenomenally expensive which reflects the time and effort that goes into creating it in the beginning. If anybody wants to help cleaning, polishing any components, let me know. Every bit helps.
We are really lucky to have this in the Club, so its worth every effort to resurrect it.
I’ve set myself a target of the end of September to complete this, but rather than sit through one more night of Britain’s Got Talent, I may complete it much sooner…
Author
Topic: S2C Cutaway 2.25 Petrol Engine resurrection (Read 3063 times)
