13-09-2023, 11:05 AM
I have a failed big end on my Austin 7 after only maybe a couple of hundred miles. I think I made a mistake on original assembly by interposing rods 1 and 2 and although new they may have been machined differently if the journals were slightly different sizes.
The crank only needs a polish but we have decided to replace all four big ends white metalling. The company doing it seem to be very experienced as they were doing the same job on the crankshaft/big ends of a Rolls Royce Silver ghost and also completing the build of an Arrow but I don't know how many A7s they have white metalled.
They thought the oil groove which Austin machined across the full width of the bearing would be better made 'blind' to retain more oil around the bearing. Of course that would be different to the original Austin design that has existed forever but possibly Austin did it that way for ease of machining. It would be interesting to be a guinea pig in having blind grooves but could be expensive if it did not work! I would appreciate opinions on this from those who have some expertise and hope it makes for a lively discussion. I attach a picture of a rather dusty old big end from my store so the groove can be seen.
The crank only needs a polish but we have decided to replace all four big ends white metalling. The company doing it seem to be very experienced as they were doing the same job on the crankshaft/big ends of a Rolls Royce Silver ghost and also completing the build of an Arrow but I don't know how many A7s they have white metalled.
They thought the oil groove which Austin machined across the full width of the bearing would be better made 'blind' to retain more oil around the bearing. Of course that would be different to the original Austin design that has existed forever but possibly Austin did it that way for ease of machining. It would be interesting to be a guinea pig in having blind grooves but could be expensive if it did not work! I would appreciate opinions on this from those who have some expertise and hope it makes for a lively discussion. I attach a picture of a rather dusty old big end from my store so the groove can be seen.
