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Continued good luck with the engine Terry. More videos when you can! David

Terry - sorry to hear about the reduction gear bolt problem, and pleased to learn the damage is minor. On the full scale Merlin, these bolts are necked and fitted from the rear side of the gear flange with nuts and split pins. The bolt shaft is machined to fine tolerance and the fit of the...

The engine lives on. It was rebuilt on put on a bespoke trailer by Graham White, a friend and fellow engine enthusiast. Here is a video of it in its heyday (before a hose let loose!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLy1QS3OOn8 David

Hi Terry - I was just updating my earlier posting with more detail, but you seem familiar with the real set up (so I won't!). The overall top fit of the liners and cylinder head (both early and late Merlin) is quite critical and not easy on the first attempt. The later two-piece heads involve...

No. Oil yes. I would like to know more about the seals used in your engine, but the main area of coolant leakage in the Merlin is the seal between the bottom of the cylinders and the crankcase. There is a triple rubber seal (like 3 o-rings side by side) which provides the lower seal. Tope...

Excellent first run Terry. Seems readily willing to turn over and run despite the gear friction. David

Terry - the return line from the carb to the tank; is that a pressure relief return from the pump or a ullage drain? David

Ha! I hope grinding is not the problem. Will be interesting to learn what it is though. DAI

Terry - thanks for the circuit diagram. I was interested to see how you powered the various loads, and note you use a power relay. Are you intending to use fuse protection? There is some similarity with my harness, below. I also have a charge circuit side, as the engine drives an original...

We try to run two engines together; the resonance of two Merlins is certainly a memorable. However, we can align with other engines to produce the same harmonic. This year I have also displayed my engine with a Bristol Hercules radial. I am part of a small group of fellows around the UK who...

Terry, I work on them in this life, but only for ground running and just as a hobby. I have a small collection of RR Merlins which I research and rebuild, with their correct propellers. I am interested in anything Merlin, hence my appreciation of those on this forum who endeavour to build...

Terry - interesting post. I do not have knowledge of this engine or castings, but the real engine also leaks from various points including the scavenge pump assembly. The oil finds its way to sit on top of the water pump impeller housing. Regarding your wiring harness; do you have a wiring...

Hi Norm, I agree with much of what you have said. Your view of the expectations of war at that time strike resonance with the reality learned from two RAF pilots I knew who were on ops from 1942. Regarding tolerance; it is a fact that Packard (and Ford) defined tolerances in more detail...

There are differing reports on this; however RR did set up a US based subsidiary to source components and machine tools before 1939. This subsidiary did have discussions with Packard before the war, and before discussions with Ford-USA. It seemed to be an evolving story with Packard...

There are some BSW as mentioned. Two that come to mind is the drain fitting to the fuel pump, and the ullage drain pipe from the priming rail to the carb (on RR built engines). DAI

Packard fully adopted the thread forms as defined by Rolls-Royce (BA, BSF, BSP and BSW). BA (1BA and 2BA) and BSF (1/4 BSF, 5/16 BSF) extensively used. Some ancillary devices (e.g. internal screws of the later magnetos made by North East) did use US threads. Additionally, RR modified some...

The Packard factory produced nearly a third of all Merlins made: 55,523 of a grand total of 168,176. The three RR plants in the UK and the UK-Ford factory at Trafford Park manufactured the remainder. I understand that on VJ day, newly machined crankshafts were being tossed out the Detroit...

Hi Goldstar, The Mossie was certainly a multi-role aeroplane and the fastest for 2 years during WW2. Hosted both RR built and Packard Merlins. DAI ps I had to look up Pelmanism!

Interesting post, regarding the non water coolants. I was invited to consider using this product in my Merlin. (Cooling of the real engine can be a problem for prolonged ground running). I looked at the specs for this material, but decided to concentrate on improving conventional cooling with...