shorten the dynamo

[Henry Harris]

It's the body from this car. I built it in 1979, cheap plywood, doped Irish linen and an absolute minimum of metal.
It was on a 1937 Ruby chassis with extensions supporting my Box saloon fuel tank. Wide Bowden front axle. Bowdenex brakes. 15" wheels. 1934 engine, 4 speed Super Accessories gears.
Painted bright red with Woolworth's enamel. It was raced very successfully by Kevin Martin. It was known as The Red Car.
In 1982 I modified the body to get a much lower seating position but before I could finish the work the driver had moved on to other things!
It was never re-assembled but most of the components are being actively recycled.

   

   

[Steve Clare]

Henry-  great to hear from you, and to know where the car came from- yes indeed cheap ply, but no remaining doped linen!
I'm assuming that its on the same chassis, but modified- or did you have a dropped front axle? It's difficult to see on that photo.
It's got a finned Cambridge head, and SU manifold at the moment.
Sobering that the youngster must be over 40!
It will be fun getting it going again.
Are you interested in a few detailed photographs ?
Regards
Steve

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Thanks for that Simon- I am wanting to get it going fairly quickly, so take note of that advice.
I'm not intending to fit lights, and I guess it will be dead easy to bump start.

[bob46320]

It wouldn't be too difficult to shorten a standard dynamo if you have a big enough lathe and a scrap dynamo - Obviously, it wouldn't be a dynamo once shortened ! Sorry, I can't remember where the photo came from.

["Slack Alice" Simon]

If the engine is tractable, you might be able to start by lifting a rear wheel off the ground onto a suitable stand and turning it in gear.

Sounds daft, but maybe easier than pushing - or maybe you have a handy hill to park on.

I have seen a lowered car with the starting handle working through a hole in the radiator core.

With a tuned engine I think you are going to need a starter.   A 12 volt system would help a lot, in a no dynamo car.

Again, with a tuned engine, a fan may be important.   But, if it was mine, I'd drive it first and find out what I could get away with, rather than have it in the garage in bits.

Cheers

Simon

[Terrytuned]

When shortening the dynamo body the spacer tube is normally 2" long the photo is one for a reversed dynamo housing for a 23D Lucas distributor(mini cooper)           Terry.

[Steve Clare]

Terry- that is a really nice bit of kit. Do you make those up?

[Charles P]

If you fitted a magneto engine you may reclaim the space you need for the distributor . Even if not the bulge needed would be simpler.

C

[Terrytuned]

Steve yes I have made a few from dynamo spare parts from club spares, the early ends are better as they have ball bearing at both ends.  Terry.

[Steve Clare]

Thanks Charles
Yes- I had been thinking about that, and I do have a spare mag engine.
Things to think about...

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Terry- maybe I could ask you to make one for me if I source the spares?
I'm not far from you in Wells
Thanks
Steve

[AustinWood]

A good 6V battery will power the car for a surprisingly long time.
In the 60s I had a 1930 fabric saloon at Dundee university. The dynamo failed, the starting handle fell off at the end of term. I took the car for a final drive round the highlands and next day drove the 400 miles to Cambridge. I had no trouble starting with the starter until I ran out of petrol about 10 miles from home. Coasted down the hill into fortuitously placed garage. The starter wouldn't turn the engine but a push, jump in and engage gear started it and I drove on and finished the journey.