Recognise This?

[Graham Smith]

Does anyone recognise what this could be off?

 

[Howard]

Before my time. I don't know if it's a clue, but the only engine I've ever owned or worked on with a single central bolt in the rocker cover was a Royal Enfield - leaked when loose, split when tight.

I recognise the patio table, if that helps.

H

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

BMW's also have that , but this isn't BMW. The angled ports are puzzling.

 

[Howard]

BMW's also have that , but this isn't BMW. The angled ports are puzzling.

I know what you mean about the ports, not really motorcycle configuration, unless it's a strange vee twin maybe. Is it definitely motorcycle, and not a 2cv, front engine threewheeler (Morganish) or something of that ilk?

H

 

[Howard]

http://www.ecas2cvparts.co.uk/cylin...eadfree-fuel-includes-valves-notes-p-653.html

Just followed up my thoughts. Have a look at this website, you'll probably find a better picture somewhere, but it looks simillar to me.

H

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

Yup , 2CV !! I knew I'd seen it somewhere !! Well spotted !

 

[Graham Smith]

Thanks for this.

A guy from Ireland was clearing out his father's shed, and came across this cylinder head.

As his father used to own a Comet many years ago, he though it could be worth millions of pounds (having come off something that originated in Stevenage!).

When he sent me the photo, I told him that it wasn't off a Vincent, but that I would post the photo here on our forum to see if anyone recognised it.

I'm sure he's going to be incredibly disappointed to learn that he can't retire early!

Such is life!

 

[Hugo Myatt]

Cylinder head

Believe it or not the value of 2CVs is rising. Wonderful devices. I had five of them in succession. The last one I had built for me after production ceased. If he hangs on to it for another fifty years it might be worth a fortune.

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

I love 2CV's Almost bought one brand new just before the Levallois factory in Paris was closed. They are a wonderful thing with a deep ethos behind them.

 

[Peter Stokes]

2cv

The 2CV engine - very tough. An oil cooler and an oilway up the conrods for small end/piston lubrication and cooling. Surely one of few vehicles which is going to be run at full throttle for any length of time.

There was no synchromesh on first gear. You became good at double declutching from second to first, a once much known skill I suspect.

A trouble was that the chassis came with a corrosion guarantee - it was guaranteed to corrode.

 

[Hugo Myatt]

2cv

Peter,
You are right about chassis corrosion. Hence my five in succession, four bought new. The fifth one that I had built for me had a stainless steel chassis but unfortunately blew up the engine rather spectacularly. Oh well, back to Vincents.

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

The 2CV engine - very tough. An oil cooler and an oilway up the conrods for small end/piston lubrication and cooling. Surely one of few vehicles which is going to be run at full throttle for any length of time.

There was no synchromesh on first gear. You became good at double declutching from second to first, a once much known skill I suspect.

A trouble was that the chassis came with a corrosion guarantee - it was guaranteed to corrode.

That was one of the design parameters , an engine to run at max throttle with full load in the vehicle , indefinitely !

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

Peter,
You are right about chassis corrosion. Hence my five in succession, four bought new. The fifth one that I had built for me had a stainless steel chassis but unfortunately blew up the engine rather spectacularly. Oh well, back to Vincents.

A new engine could be installed in a morning !! Do you still have it ?

 

[Peter Stokes]

2cv

I haven't got my 2CV any more. I bought it new in 1988 and did about 39000m in two years (I remember that it wasn't quite 40000) but I needed something with a bit more go on long runs and discovered diesel cars in 1990 in the days when the fuel was cheap and you filled up at lorry pumps.

A marathon Birmingham to Thurso trip in one go in the 2CV with a headwind for most of the Highlands might have had something to do with the decision. Great fun driving them though, and I wish my present car had such good ventilation.

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

There are solutions to that problem !! I can't remember when , perhaps the early 90's , a guy from Car magazine turbo'd a 2CV !! He had great fun bating XR3i's and the like , then just blowing them away !! Unfortunately , the first attempt caught fire due to inadequate heat shielding but he just prevented it from completely burning out. Then he built version 2 improved which was even quicker !! I also remember reading somewhere of at least a couple of GS engined conversions.

The standard 2CV would keep me happy , as long as I had something faster for the longer journeys.

 

[Hugo Myatt]

Sorry T E, I actually gave it away. I was running a Morgan 4/4 and two solo Vincents and a Honda plus the mississ's Kwaker at the time. With that lot stuffed in the Garage there was no room to work on anything.

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

I know that problem !!

 

[Peter Stokes]

Hello T. E.

While we are discussing exotic machinery, I see on your list you have a Vincent powered lawn mower. Could you post a photo of it, please, if you can get at it easily?

I've got one of the little two stroke industrial engines (photos on the forum under industrial products) which would be suitable for a mower I think.

I lived in Moseley in Birmingham in the seventies, and it was rumoured that there was a Vincent lawnmower used at the village churchyard but I never got round to investigating.

Pete

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

Hi Peter,

Click on my user name and you find an album of pix of my mower.
I also have a spare engine and brand new carburettor for it I'll add pix of that when I dig it out shortly.
The mower is quite restorable but I will have to fabricate a new handle / fuel tank as the original is too rusted to recover. Also blade tips , height adjuster knob and one or two special bolts and spindles will need to be made. If anyone has any mower spares they want to dispose of I would very grateful

 

[Peter Stokes]

Vincent mower

Got it. Thanks. Very interesting. My engine is the same type but with a slightly different inlet fitting.

My engine was obviously intended to be fitted that way up - ie the driving end of the crank pointing downwards. I did have a fuel tank but lost it in a house move - it was a crescent shape to fit around the crankcase which would be at the top of the engine.