Mystery engine
#1
Posted 05 August 2009 - 08:03
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#2
Posted 05 August 2009 - 09:26
For instance, is it air or water-cooled? It does appear to be a horizontally opposed twin, and with overhead valves operated by pushrods that come up through tubes, motorcycle style. Is that right?
One contender that I can think of is a Bradford.
#3
Posted 05 August 2009 - 10:03
One contender that I can think of is a Bradford.
Wasn't Bradford the commercial side of Jowett? Here's how to rebuild one of their engines http://keithclements...gineRebuild.htm
#4
Posted 05 August 2009 - 11:06
I thought it may be a Bradford but from studying the photos it looks a bit different.
#5
Posted 05 August 2009 - 11:25
Originally posted by Geoff E
Wasn't Bradford the commercial side of Jowett? Here's how to rebuild one of their engines http://keithclements...gineRebuild.htm
Unfortunately that's the Jowett 4-cylinder engine...
The Bradford was a twin.
hatrat, I've got to say that the engine looks very motorcycle-ish. But the gearbox is way too long to fit any conventional style of bike. All the same, it's not unknown for a motorcycle to have a driveshaft, in that period there was the Douglas and BMW, and probably Moto Guzzi as well, which had that arrangement.
#6
Posted 05 August 2009 - 12:05
#7
Posted 05 August 2009 - 12:24
#8
Posted 05 August 2009 - 12:28
#9
Posted 05 August 2009 - 13:15
But there are some items that look purely British. The way the starter mount in the bellhousing has that cap on it looks particularly British.
One thing that looks very French (as in 'oddball' engineering) is the sideways mounting of the generator.
#10
Posted 05 August 2009 - 15:22
Edited by Robin Fairservice, 05 August 2009 - 15:26.
#11
Posted 05 August 2009 - 15:25
#12
Posted 05 August 2009 - 15:27
I have good recently taken colour pictures of the engines that ran at Le Mans in 1952 and 1957 , which are two cylinder, and the dynamo mounting is the same.Can anyone discount a Dyna Panhard?
#13
Posted 05 August 2009 - 17:17
Can anyone identify this engine and gearbox. It was used (slightly modified) in a single seater in the early 1950s but its make and other details are a mystery (at least to me).
~
I'm confused. Have you got the actual engine - or just a set of photos? If you have the engine, surely it is possible to give the type of detail people are asking for.I don't know much more about the engine as it just came with a series of photographs. I presume it is air cooled as the photo below shows finned cylinders (the photo shows it as fitted in the race car with what appears to be an Amal carb - which I assume was not on the standard engine). If the gearbox and the engine are an original match then I would doubt if it was motorcycle based as it has a driveshaft. In the race car it was mounted in front of the front wheels and drove a live rear axle.
I thought it may be a Bradford but from studying the photos it looks a bit different.
~
Edited by D-Type, 28 April 2010 - 14:57.
#14
Posted 05 August 2009 - 20:14
I'm confused. Have got the actual engine - or just a set of photos? If you have the engine, surely it is possible to give the type of detail people are asking for.
Unfortunately it appears that only photos survive of the car and engine.
#16
Posted 05 August 2009 - 21:34
Originally posted by Red Socks
I have good recently taken colour pictures of the engines that ran at Le Mans in 1952 and 1957 , which are two cylinder, and the dynamo mounting is the same.
Going by the picture above, it's nothing like it...
A small matter of 90° to start with.
#17
Posted 06 August 2009 - 06:24
#18
Posted 06 August 2009 - 06:59
The chassis members looka bit like a Keift 500 ?????
Afraid not Ted - that photo is of the front of the car - the engine hangs out in front of the front wheels and it drives back through a central driveshaft to a live axle at the rear.
#19
Posted 06 August 2009 - 07:11
#21
Posted 06 August 2009 - 09:06
It definitely is an Austin A30 type gearbox, but I feel that has no relevance as Lotus etc used them.The gearbox & backplate have a strong resemblance to a BMC 'A' series.
#22
Posted 06 August 2009 - 19:07
As far as I can see from the close-up of the head with the Amal attached on a short manifold stub....that too appears a tad rough.
DB's were used and modified extensively for small bore racing, esp in the US. I imagine it could be possible that someone has produced a special set of heads...wouldn't be the first time, but the front of the engine DOES seem quite different to thecolor DB picture posted.
Anyone considered a 2CV?
#23
Posted 06 August 2009 - 20:12
Going by the picture above, it's nothing like it...
A small matter of 90° to start with.
The same could be said for the Bradford engine
#25
Posted 06 August 2009 - 20:50
#26
Posted 06 August 2009 - 21:17
the engine back plate is also bmc 'A' series
Issigonis originally designed the Morris minor to have a flat four engine [ and front wheel drive ]
He also built a few racing specials
Not one of his ? using the engine that Mr Austin rejected ?
#27
Posted 06 August 2009 - 21:34
it looks like a twin
From the first pic - Is it driving some sort of hydraulic pump off the front
#28
Posted 07 August 2009 - 23:23
#29
Posted 08 August 2009 - 03:48
#30
Posted 08 August 2009 - 07:48
#33
Posted 08 August 2009 - 17:32
with no dampers or visible means of attaching anyIt has all the suspension from a Morris Minor as well.
#34
Posted 09 August 2009 - 07:36
I'm not convinced it was designed to have that suspension or at least not in the position is in the picture.with no dampers or visible means of attaching any
#35
Posted 09 August 2009 - 11:19
Here is a further photo of the car during construction.
#36
Posted 09 August 2009 - 13:30
#37
Posted 09 August 2009 - 21:18
I'm betting it was a remarkably good understeerer...
#39
Posted 09 August 2009 - 21:39
Edited by D-Type, 09 August 2009 - 21:40.
#41
Posted 10 August 2009 - 02:46
In one of his posts is a picture of his flat twin engine with its identifiable two valve adjustment covers per cylinder as can be seen on our "Mystery Engine".
Ray B. If you access the above forum you will see what I mean.
Wily TNF*118
#42
Posted 10 August 2009 - 03:25
Aussie Frogs
Edited by Ian G, 10 August 2009 - 05:55.
#43
Posted 10 August 2009 - 05:29
Actaully i've seen the same style of tappet covers on heads on both Villiers 4 stroke and Wisconsin V4's too.
#45
Posted 10 August 2009 - 06:52
It looks like it could be interesting...
#46
Posted 10 August 2009 - 08:04
Are we going to see the rear suspension?
It looks like it could be interesting...
Yes it is interesting for the late 1940s with a rocker arm design - clearly Les Redmond had some special ideas early in his car design career. A photo of the whole car should be available shortly.
#47
Posted 10 August 2009 - 09:16
Are we going to see the rear suspension?
It looks like it could be interesting...
Ray,
Never mind the rear suspension. What about the 'bump steer' ? Note the steering rack!
Wily TNF*118
#48
Posted 10 August 2009 - 09:23
Not a Panhard.
He tells us the Panhard has torsion bar valve springs whereas the Mystery Engine has springs. Oh well!
#49
Posted 10 August 2009 - 09:44
How could someone do that? Well, I guess just getting over the mechanicals with the rack was an achievement...