Modestine

[Dilambdaman]

As reported elsewhere, the Dilambda ran a big end on the way to Brooklands on Saturday.

Had it checked out today and its not looking good and decidedly touch and go for the Sliding Pillar rally. The crank pin is 3 thou oval and needs regrinding so the engine has to come out. Probably find that it will be prudent to do all eight.

My local friendly Veteran/Vintage workshop are prepared to do what they can to help meet the dead line so we'll just have to wait and see.

Robin.

[fay66]

Bad luck Robin . I hope they can fix it in time.
Brian
8227

[JohnMillham]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune Robin. Are you going to remain with white metal bearings or change to shells? If the crankshaft has to be reground anyway, now might be a good time to change. I have just had new rods made for my Augusta, as I am going in for shell bearings. They were £180 each from Phoenix in Slough and look too good to hide inside an engine!
 I hope you can get the Dilambda repaired soon.
 Regards, John

[Sliding Pillar]

Robin, There should be plenty of spare seats available if you have to come to the Sliding Pillar Rally in a modern, but would prefer to see the Dilambda!!! Good luck. Ade.

[Dilambdaman]

John,

My local to me veteran/vintage workshop have talked me through the various options and whilst new rods and converting to shells seems sensible I don't think I can justify the expense at the moment. They think that it makes sense to regrind and remetal where necessary which they can do in house.

I shall be in a better position to decide when I get the crank and rods to them in the next couple of days,

Ade,

Not giving up just yet but watch this space!

Robin.

[Dilambdaman]

Well, the engine is out (easier said than done!) and the crank and rods go to John Kirby in Croydon tomorrow for regrinding and remetalling. He hopes to have it done towards the end of next week.

Leaves me a week to reassemble and back in the car before a nice gentle runing in to the Sliding Pillar Rally in Suffolk.

Ever the optimist me!

Robin.

[fay66]

Piece of cake then with time for a glass of wine or two

Brian
8227

[Dilambdaman]

Reground crank and remetaled rods back yesterday.

Nine days and counting!

The picture says it all!

Robin.

[Dilambdaman]

Well, sad to say, the Dilambda won't be making it to the Sliding Pillar Rally.

The engine is in a far worse state than at first thought. Two pistons have shed gudgeon pin circlips which have migrated through the top of the pistons and the bores are badly scored. So, it looks like a complete rebuild which on an eight cylinder engine is a tad expensive! Don't tell Margaret.

So, we have to choose btween the Fanalone, BMW 328i, Alfa 156, or Fiat Ducatto, unless anyone knows of a cheap SP car for sale!

Robin.

[Scarpia]

Sad news indeed; (and don't worry your secrets safe with us).

If it's any consolation I have "nearly" made it every year since 2001 and can easily miss several events in a row ...(and without such a good excuse as you have...)

any idea what really led to the failure? was the engine rebuilt in recent memory?

[Dilambdaman]

Thanks for the sympathy William.

My local to me engineering works have had a look and reckon that the circlips were probably not properly located in their grooves. They are also of the opinion that things are not as bad as I feared and that honing the bores, two new pistons, new rings all round and careful reassembly is all that is needed.

Robin.

[JohnMillham]

Robin,
 see my reply under Sliding Pillar Rally.
    Regards, John

[fay66]

Thanks for the sympathy William.

My local to me engineering works have had a look and reckon that the circlips were probably not properly located in their grooves. They are also of the opinion that things are not as bad as I feared and that honing the bores, two new pistons, new rings all round and careful reassembly is all that is needed.

Robin.

Better than completely bad news then Robin, but not much
Hope she's soon better and not too much of a drain on the pocket, faint hope though that maybe Did you have the engine stripped down to this level before she came back on the road? I seem to recollect not.
Just had new front wheelbearing fitted to "Fay" old one was getting like me, ancient and grumbling
The cost put quite a dent in my pension.

Brian
8227

[Dilambdaman]

Well, she didn't make the AGM but not for the want of trying!

She was back on the road on the Friday at 3pm but managed only 20 of the 166 miles to Swindon before the oil pressure disappeared again and there were ominous rumblings from the bottom end of the engine. Back home courtousey of the AA and to the AGM by a 'modern' on Saturday morning.

The engine came out this afternoon (will soon be able to do this in my sleep!) and I'll report the findings in due course.

Robin.

[Dilambdaman]

A month further on and the engine is at JEL Bearings in York.

Ian Burlingham is a very enthusiastic and helpful guy and rang today to say that having taken delivery of the engine on Wednesday the work is progressing. He hopes to return the rebuilt unit to me in a couple of weeks time.

He removed the oil way plugs from the crankshaft and found masses of sticky gunge which he is sure has been the most likely cause of the bigend problems. Pistons, bores and oil pump all look fine, so maybe it won't be as expensive as at first feared.

So, will she make Goodwood Revival and the French Rally? Shades of Turin 2006 all over again!

Robin.