(06-05-2025, 04:27 PM)Malcolm Parker Wrote: Today I stripped down the old engine out of the Pytchley to establish the cause of the excessive oil consumption.  First job was to take off the Ricardo head which has been on the car for about three years.   This showed that a great deal of oil has been getting past the pistons and all four combustion chambers were caked up with carbon. The head was cleaned up for use on the new engine.
Next it was off with the cylinder block.   I expected to find the piston rings seized or broken and caked with carbon.  Surprisingly, all the pistons looked good and all the rings were free and apparently undamaged. The cylinder bores are unmarked but are highly polished.
This is the first time the block has been off since the engine was built in 1982.  I knew it had flattened cam followers but I was surprised how flat they are, they have been ground to quite a large radius.   What amazed me was that neither the cam nor the followers have any sign of wear after 42 years of use (with double valve springs).

Next to the sump, a deep Nippy type, again it has never been off.    I expected some oil to escape despite the oil having been drained but there was very little.   The bottom of the sump had a layer of black gloop with the consistency of thick custard.

Next to be removed was the filter gauze, I remember renewing this when the engine was built.   Amazingly there was no evidence of any metal swarf or debris on the gauze after over 40 years use.

The big ends feel good on first inspection but will be coming out in due course.
The oil pump base plate was removed and all looked okay within.
All in all quite encouraging!

(07-05-2025, 07:16 AM)Steve kay Wrote: What I have done this morning is woinder why I have not received a Membership card for the PWA7C. Payment was made on 1st April. Some clubs seem to have come over all computer-modern, but signing on for events requires a membership card.

(07-05-2025, 09:19 AM)Charles P Wrote:

(06-05-2025, 04:27 PM)Malcolm Parker Wrote: Today I stripped down the old engine out of the Pytchley to establish the cause of the excessive oil consumption.  First job was to take off the Ricardo head which has been on the car for about three years.   This showed that a great deal of oil has been getting past the pistons and all four combustion chambers were caked up with carbon. The head was cleaned up for use on the new engine.
Next it was off with the cylinder block.   I expected to find the piston rings seized or broken and caked with carbon.  Surprisingly, all the pistons looked good and all the rings were free and apparently undamaged. The cylinder bores are unmarked but are highly polished.
This is the first time the block has been off since the engine was built in 1982.  I knew it had flattened cam followers but I was surprised how flat they are, they have been ground to quite a large radius.   What amazed me was that neither the cam nor the followers have any sign of wear after 42 years of use (with double valve springs).

Next to the sump, a deep Nippy type, again it has never been off.    I expected some oil to escape despite the oil having been drained but there was very little.   The bottom of the sump had a layer of black gloop with the consistency of thick custard.

Next to be removed was the filter gauze, I remember renewing this when the engine was built.   Amazingly there was no evidence of any metal swarf or debris on the gauze after over 40 years use.

The big ends feel good on first inspection but will be coming out in due course.
The oil pump base plate was removed and all looked okay within.
All in all quite encouraging!

Malcolm

What oil have you been using?

C