Recent content by simonbirt

I am building Seal 4 cylinder engine. I now need to install the cast iron cylinder liners into the aluminium block, they are a light press fit. Edgar Westbury suggests in the construction notes to use varnish to help them slide in and make a better seal between the water jacket and liner. This...

As requested here is a picture of the progress so far: The valve cages are a light press fit into the block. I allowed about 2 tenths oversize. The end (incomplete) one moved as I tried to open up the port, must have been a bit on the small side. I took it out and used a high strength...

I have a Warco VM 16, about 4 years old. It is pretty good, particularly if one considered the price. It worked well from the off, but I have made a few mods and additions. DRO, power feed (home brewed) and a depth stop for the quill. It replaced a Tom Senior which I did not have space for. I...

What I thought I had ordered was a full kit. Here is what it says in the kit description: "The kit includes material for the major items required to complete the engine as originally designed with a direct mounted distributor. The kit is not exhaustive and constructors will need to find (or...

The cast iron for the piston rings arrived yesterday. I am pleased to report that I now have a batch of what appear to be useable rings. I made them the same size as the ones supplied in the kit. They all were within a tenth or two of nominal 0.625 x 0.025 x 0.025". I snapped them with snipers...

I now have to make some additional rings, Hemingway supplied 8 with the “kit” some of which were distorted, one broke as I inserted it into a liner. I think while I am at it I will make a dozen, I will then have plenty of spares. The thickness and ring gap seem OK, therefore I will copy the...

Here is my version of the ring holder. To overcome the ring removal problem, I make the two parts detachable with a dowel pin to hold them together. It works well, although it is a struggle to get the rings a uniform thickness all over.

My thoughts exactly, the media here are desperate to start the whole thing again, which is why I am staying put, as its a lot of money, which normally I don‘t mind spending to see some quality models and talk to interesting people. I like Pennsylvania very much and was planning on exploring for...

It was UK news (speculation) but either way I have had my fill of masks, tests etc. I will resume my travels, when there is no possibility of needing to do either. The cost was getting silly as also, not helped by the ludicrous cost of a visa. Now I can spend the money I have saved on...

I was planning a visit, but it was getting more expensive and difficult. Went a few years ago and really enjoyed the experience. Made the decision not to go yesterday when I saw a news report suggesting that Covid restrictions could be reintroduce in that part of the world. I find the American...

Thanks Basil, This is useful, I think I will hive it a try. The rings as supplied are not all exactly the same width, this will solve that problem.

Im trying to visualise what the ring holder looks like, is it a hollow tume and piston?

Thanks D and D. I actually have a set of rings, so will use them. Just was unsure how much clearance to allow.

Hello All, I have had a break from the Seal project for a while, been fettling motorcycles. Now the winter is really here I am back in the workshop and trying to remember where I got to. I have made the valves and cages, last week I made the connecting rods. Now I need the pistons. Hemingway...

I thought it may be time for an update on the Seal project. The pictures shows the progress to date. The casting difficulties are largely behind me (I hope) I had to let a piece in to the sump casting as it was so far undersize in width, but oddly oversize in length. Machining the crankshaft...