14 replies to this topic

[RTH]

Roger Levis  has written to me as below.  I wonder if any of you can help him.

 

 

I wonder if I might ask a wee favour of you at the meeting? Back home in NZ I'm restoring a sports racing car that was built by my late uncle Roly Levis in 1955 and raced successfully by him. It has a Ford 100E engine extensively modified with a very special cylinder head with conversion to overhead valves on inlets only. This head was made here in England by Willment.

Whilst I'm here in UK I'd like to gather as much info about such engines as possible, even buy parts if possible, there must be other similar engined cars here still, there's no others in NZ.

 

 

Any info gladly passed on - does anyone know where any parts are available ? Thanks Chaps.

[Ray Bell]

I don't know about parts etc...

But I have seen one such head here in Australia, also fitted to a small sports car. So there must be a few around somewhere. Was it the Gazelle?

Although the head casting and rocker cover castings would be unique, it's quite likely that parts like the rockers, their shafts and the pushrods and valves are from a relatively common production engine. If not, something could probably be adapted.

On another topic relating to Roly Levis, you can let him know that I've gone a small distance towards clearing Roly's name...

In the 1965 Australian Grand Prix, Roly took out Jack Brabham as he chased Bruce McLaren in the lead of the race. This happened under brakes at the end of Longford's 'Flying Mile'.

In the new Tasman Cup book I wrote up a comprehensive report on this race - without a doubt the best race I ever saw - and in that I revealed the reason behind Roly's entanglement with Jack. This was all totally new information to me garnered only during the final proof-reading of the book from a most unexpected source.


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Edited by Ray Bell, 27 March 2016 - 14:02.

[RTH]

Thank you for that Ray I will pass you message in full nice to hear.

[bradbury west]

Richard, is Roger here in UK already or planning to come? If coming, when?. This may help with contacts and links. We must check to see if there are articles in old mags etc. I suspect that Charles Helps, of this parish, may well be able to help as he is the 6 registrar I believe. The Ford Sidevalve owners club may have some info and will certainly be interested in the car.
I will see if there is any mention in period Autosport bound indices of the Willment head
Roger Lund

[Garsted]

Hi,

 

[Garsted]

Hi,  not Willment, but these folks may be some help to you for general engine spares

 

https://www.smallfordspares.co.uk/

https://www.ford-aquaplane.co.uk/

 

Cheers,

           Steve

 

 

[oldclassiccar]

I posted a few period photos of an ex-competition 300E van/estate, equipped with a Powermaster head, on this page, you may have seen it already but if not:

 

http://www.oldclassi...powermaster.htm

 

rgds, RJ.

[M bennett]

Mike Brotherwood has one for sale ( in Australia) see Mike's website for pictures and price.

   

Mike B Adelaide

[Lee Nicolle]

I posted a few period photos of an ex-competition 300E van/estate, equipped with a Powermaster head, on this page, you may have seen it already but if not:

 

http://www.oldclassi...powermaster.htm

 

rgds, RJ.

Interesting article, The oil coated underside of the van probably means it pumped out more oil than those things did usually. Though those carbs were probably too big for the engine.

Though by about 62 really it was out of date, the Cortina engine, with a proper [well for the day] OHV was available and a far better proposition to hot rodders and racers.

Brit cars in general were decidedly inefficient, even engines with basically  good design had the exhaust ports strangled to reduce power and some weird things like Zephyr [or Consul] with that hockey stick exhaust manifold.What were they thinking!! An engine that really benefits from a set of extractors.

[Peter Morley]

I was looking into such conversions recently and it seemed that there was more interest in them in NZ and apparently an expert there who knows how to rebuild them.

Bruce Sutcliffe is apparently the guy to look for.

 

If you're looking for someone to talk to in the UK it could be worth talking to Roger Dunbar of Elva.com, of course he is more interested in the Elva version but there could be some similarity in the designs and he's met Bruce Sutcliffe.

[bill p]

Try Googling "Willment OHV conversion" - some useful info and photos

My Dad used to race an 1172 Ford Special in 60s fitted with the Willment Conversion, another "poster" on TNF now has the head and I shall let him know about this Thread

Bill P

[RTH]

Many thanks all, that is a great help. I have passed on a link to this thread.

Yes Roger will be with us at the next film show on 7th May here in Herts.

[Megs1838]

I have a complete Wilment engine for sale. I bought it many years ago to fit to my Lotus Eleven but never went ahead and fitted it instead leaving the Climax motor it came to me with. The engine is here with me at Renmark in South Australia. I bought the engine from the UK on the understanding it had been rebuilt as a spare for a trials car but again never fitted. I can be best contacted via email Richard.fewster@arran.com.au. I have a photo I can send.

[RTH]

Many thanks Richard (Megs1838)  I have forwarded you post to Roger.

[Ray Bell]

For the record...



Made up of Morris suspension and brake components and using the Ford/Willment engine and a close ratio Morris gearbox, this is the RAL Special after Roger purchased it.

Roly had a drive of it, taking it for a few laps of the neighbourhood. The name, 'RAL', came from Roly's initials, which are coincidentally Roger's as well.