Modestine

[ncundy]

That's a modest (did you see what I did there  ) little lean-too you're assembling!

It looks a bit big for just one car - any Modestine-ettes on the way. Looks lovely.

[Dilambdaman]

Le Nivex Fuel Gauge.

When I purchased my Dilambda the original Le Nivex fuel gauge was missing having been replaced with a Hobson Teluguage (? spelling) which had largely disintegrated. Beaulieu Autojumble produce a Nivex and pump all be it for 56L instead of the Dilambda's 85L and no tank unit. A four year search for a tank unit proved fruitless and in despair I of course turned to Morris Parry who offered to have a go at constructing one for me. My son Jonathan made a suitable plate for the tank and the whole lot was sent off to North wales.

Make no mistake about it, the man is a genius! I'm still not sure that I am totally clear on how the thing works but I'll have a go at describing it. You pull and release a plunger on the dash board which sends a pulse of air to the tank which travels down a  small diameter tube inside a larger tube  to the bottom of the tank. The larger tube is connected to the gauge on the dash board the needle of which rises to give a reading. A non return valve ensures that fuel doesn't reach the gauge. See, told you I don't fully understand how it works!

Well, to cut a long story short, Morris built a test rig out of what looks like baked bean cans and having constructed the tank unit calibrated a new dial face to measure 85 litres. The calibration was complicated by the fact that the fuel tank on the Dilambda is a cylinder laid on it's side resulting in the need for a non linear scale.

The photographs attached show what a beautiful job Morris has done, I can't thank him enough and this short piece scarcely if at all conveys any idea at all of the hours he must have spent. Hopefully he can be persuaded to write up the work more fully so that others can benefit from his efforts.

So, all that remains is to install it all on the car - I'll report back soon.

Robin.

[Dilambdaman]

That's a modest (did you see what I did there  ) little lean-too you're assembling!

Neil,

Not any more they don't! Thanks for the tip off!

Robin.

[fay66]

Let's hope she appreciates such luxury and keeps being a good girl, as after all she was a naughty girl for a long time!

[chugga boom]

  and in despair I of course turned to Morris Parry who offered to have a go at constructing one for me. My son Jonathan made a suitable plate for the tank and the whole lot was sent off to North wales.

Make no mistake about it, the man is a genius! I'm still not sure that I am totally clear on how the thing works but I'll have a go at describing it. You pull and release a plunger on the dash board which sends a pulse of air to the tank which travels down a  small diameter tube inside a larger tube  to the bottom of the tank. The larger tube is connected to the gauge on the dash board the needle of which rises to give a reading. A non return valve ensures that fuel doesn't reach the gauge. See, told you I don't fully understand how it works!

Well, to cut a long story short, Morris built a test rig out of what looks like baked bean cans and having constructed the tank unit calibrated a new dial face to measure 85 litres. The calibration was complicated by the fact that the fuel tank on the Dilambda is a cylinder laid on it's side resulting in the need for a non linear scale.

The photographs attached show what a beautiful job Morris has done, I can't thank him enough and this short piece scarcely if at all conveys any idea at all of the hours he must have spent.

now do you see how easy my life is lol   

[Dilambdaman]

That's a modest (did you see what I did there  ) little lean-too you're assembling!

Neil,

Not any more they don't! Thanks for the tip off!

Robin.

Sorry Neil, jumped to conclusions and missed the subtlety of your play on words. Thanks for taking the time to explain and put my mind at rest.

So, modest it isn't but then again, she is a big girl! The Fanalone will take up a bay and another will be largely taken over with a four post lift and machines etc. However, another project is a distinct possibility - but don't tell Margaret! 

Robin.

[Dilambdaman]

Well, what a confidence boost! 500 miles over the weekend attending the Sliding Pillar Rally in Somerset but not however, without incident.

Having spent the Wednesday dealing with the jobs still outstanding from the winter fettling we set off on Thursday and with just 20 miles completed the ignition light illuminated and we were without dynamo output for the rest of the weekend. Approaching the M4 junction on the M25 the water temperature suddenly rose alarmingly and in no time the bung exited the top of the radiator and we were showered with boiling hot water. This after we had already been twice brought to a standstill when the main fuse dropped out of it's holder. Topped up the radiator and abandoned the motorway to continue cross country to our overnight stop at Ashton Keynes.

Arriving at Keith Bowley's Ashton Keynes Vintage Restorations, amongst other things we got to inspect the ex 'Steady' Barker Dilambda which Keith is rebuilding. The standard of workmanship is to the highest standard and when finished this is going to be a very fine motor indeed. An evening meal taken at the local hostelry and noticing a couple of pictures of Fulvias on the wall it turned out that the landlord was a long time Lancia fanatic and one time club member.

Set off next morning and noticed an exhaust blow developing which was upsetting the smooth running of the engine and an oil leak from the filter where it attaches to the block. The fuse departed company with it's holder again and finding ourselves adjacent to a retail park we called on Mr Halfords, bought a fuse holder and fuses, a battery charger, oil and a  drip tray.  Fitted the fuse holder and made the hotel without further ado.

Saturday on the tour we encountered a fast straight section of road which in places resembled corrugated iron. Inevitably the low slung Dilambda caught the exhaust and stretched the flexible portion on one side unwinding it like a spring. Sounded great but ran like a bag of old nails!

Following the Sunday visit to Cheddar and Wells I managed to effect a repair to the exhaust which improved the performance enormously and the 200 mile run home on the Monday was a delight.

So, we triumphed in the face of diversity and as reported in the Events 2010 section, had a most enjoyable time. The journey home proved that when she is good she is very, very good but my goodness me, when she is bad she is horrid!

Robin.

[neil-yaj396]

Well done Robin. It puts my exhaust manifold problems on the Giro into perspective!

Neil

[Dilambdaman]

My local auto electrical firm have had a look at the dynamo and reckon that the armature needs a rewind as the original cotton insulation has deteriorated too far to make a repair viable. The field windings are not great either.

They are not keen to get involved and Morris Parry has suggested that I try Rockhall Auto Electrics in Derbyshire. I've spoken to them and they certainly appear to know what they are talking about and indeed, do everything including rewinding, in house. So, the dynamo is off to them tomorrow and I'll let you know how they perform.

Looks likely that I'll be relying on the battery charger for the AGM! 

Robin.

[davidwheeler]

Goodness me, is it Listed?
David

[Dilambdaman]

Found time last weekend to fit the Morris Parry refurbed Nivex petrol gauge and it works a treat.

You pull and release a dashboard mounted plunger which passes air through a non-return valve and then down a small tube inside a larger one, both of which reach to the bottom of the tank. The air bubbles up through the fuel inside the larger tube to occupy the space at the top, then on to the gauge itself and 'Hey Presto!' the aneroid barometer like mechanism registers the fuel level. At least I think that's how it works!

So, many, many thanks to Morris for all the R & D, producing a superb dial for the gauge and  constucting the tank unit. (See previous pictues.)

Any one need a redundant Dilambda dip stick. And before you jump to conclusions, that a'int  me!

Robin.

[thecolonel]

Nice work, 
funny though the Gamma has a similar system for checking the oil level from the drivers seat

[DavidLaver]

What's the method for printing the dial face?

David

[Dilambdaman]

David.

As far as I'm aware Morris designs the dial face on his computer and then prints it on to decent quality paper using a standard printer.

Robin.

[rogerelias]

Hi Robin. AGM this weekend?? 85litres must slurp a bit then