Modestine

[Sliding Pillar]

You haven't forgotten to take that camshaft locking tool off have you???

[Dilambdaman]

Problem appears to have been a blocked oil way feeding the timing chains, camshaft and rocker shafts. Should know for sure by tomorrow.

Robin.

[Dilambdaman]

Have purchased the Thema from Chavdar Popov refered to above by Brian.

Very nice car in excellent condition - everything works!

Robin.

[fay66]

Have purchased the Thema from Chavdar Popov refered to above by Brian.

Very nice car in excellent condition - everything works!

Robin.

Hi Robin,
What colour is the car and the trim, as the blue tinge to the photos make it hard to tell?
I think the interior Alcantara is probably "Ice", if so it's been confirmed that the UK Suppliers still have some of the seat material left.
I have to speak to them again tomorrow and find out the cost as I need some for Jack Joubert in South Africa.
If you're interested please let me know.
I shall also see if I can find out if they have any other Colours.

Brian
8227

[Dilambdaman]

Brian.

Colour of the car is grey - Memphis Grey I think and the alcantara is very pale so probably Ice?

Incredibly the seats show very little signs of wear so I shan't be needing any cloth. Thanks for the offer.

Robin.

[fay66]

There are only 3 Colours in Alcantara in Thema series 3's, being "Ice", Beige, & Blue, & only came with 16v LE or Turbo LS.
In Fabric Blue & Sepia, that only came with the 16v according to my series 3 Brochure; the brochure doesn't show which interior colour went with which model or paint, but with a chassis number I can find it on eper.

Paint colours were.
Pastel

Sydney Blue,
Lancia Blue,
Black,
Grey,
Azure.

Metallescent.
Park Green,
Memphis Grey,
Coventry Red,
Derby Green,
Blue Madras,
Black.


Brian 8227

[Dilambdaman]

Oil feed restored to the timing chains, camshaft and rocker shafts but noise still persists.

So, Thema to the French Rally it is. 

Robin.

[Warby]

hi robin sorry to hear of your recent trials. seems as though things may slowly be on the up for you. hope things continue to improve. it does have a bit of a de ja vous of turin about it. but that ended on a high and im sure this will. take care. give my best to margaret.

[Dilambdaman]

Having spent a day at the NEC on Friday amongst fellow Lancisti (many of whom kindly enquired after Modestine's health ) the sabbatical is at an end!

The veteran/vintage workshop round the corner from me offered to spend some time on the engine provided I worked with them to save them time figuring out the idiosyncrasies of it. And what a great time I had! even managing to sort some of the problems.

Having ascertained that valve and ignition timing were OK and accurately setting the tappet clearances she fired up immediately and ticked over quietly. However, on blipping the throttle the elusive rattle reared its ugly head.

It was noticed that the valves were doing a sort of tap dance and on closer inspection that the outer springs were under no tension at all and therefore not helping close the valves. Large washers under the bottom spring cups seem to have done the trick and the valve gear looked and sounded much better.

However, There was still an ominous knock from somewhere high up in the engine under acceleration  and with the help of a very claver fibre optic camera it appears that one of the pistons may be touching the head. So, its back tomorrow and off with the head. I'll keep you posted.

Robin. 

[stuwilson128]

What good news Robin!  I hope it all goes smoothly and you can start enjoying the car again.

[Dilambdaman]

Thanks Stuart.

Well, after a week of frustration diving up blind allies maybe, just maybe, we have found the culprit - piston slap. One piston (the one we have had problems with in the past) is much looser in its bore than the others.

So, on Monday the search begins to find a suitable replacement. Fingers crossed please!

Robin.

PS Couldn't resist the photos.

[fay66]

Fingers Toes & legs crossed Pretty impessive looking engine!

Brian
8227

[johnturner]

Lovely pictures Robin.  If you need just one piston you might try Andy at Accralite (0121 525 6450).  He is a really helpful bloke and produced a set of pistons for my Weymann at precisely the dimensions and weight I specified.  If he has a blank forging of anything like the right dimensions he may be able to help.  Good luck.

John

[Dilambdaman]

Thanks John, I'll give him a try.

Robin.

[Dilambdaman]

So, two weeks on and so far no joy with finding a piston.

I'll list the relevant measurements just in case someone on here has any ideas.

Bore:    3.125" + 20
Height:  3.5"
Centre of pin to top:   1.73"
Pin:   0.875

Morris Parry reckons that the closest match he could come up with was from a Perkins 4.108 engine as fitted to the early 70's diesel Ford Transit. It would call for a fair amount of machining but should not prove impossible.

Robin.