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Index |
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British Heritage |
Donald Wright,
March 2009 |
Posted here
on Aug 29, 2012 |
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Loss of oil pressure must surely rank among
the most heart stopping feelings of any vintage car owner,
especially the vintage Bentley.
The Wright family's 1929 "WO" (Chassis no. UK3285)
suffered just that whilst motoring to a "boys"
winter lunch.
Having been involved with the rebuild of the top end of
the engine some 35 years ago along with my father and
a few of his vintage enthusiasts namely Pat Keating, Bob
Beardsley and the late Dave Bowman I was somewhat excited
that here was an opportunity to delve into how and why
such a refined old world racer really ticked. |
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After contacting another very experienced
owner (Geoff Owen) the advice was to check the oil filter
for particles of white metal, tell tale signs of main
bearing collapse. I had a sudden rush of blood and a
dose of whispering "no, no, no, I hope not"
to myself.
Sadly there was enough white metal in the filter to
make a brand new ingot.
It was no, no, no but yes this is my time to rebuild
the engine of our "WO"
The car was delivered to my close friend Graham Gibson's
garage, South Terrace Motors at Darfield.
The fact that the local bakery is near by was a secondary
reason for locating here but I can assure you that the
combination of freshly cooked pies and cream buns together
with the WO oil and Graham's enthusiastic staff was
just the appropriate medication that got me through
the mind numbing issues of a much worn engine.
A cracked crankshaft, scored bore as well as all the
big end and main bearings well past their used by date.
Oil, water, grease, pies and cream buns I was
like a pig in mud.
After a session on the internet costing out new overseas
parts to rebuild the engine I decided that, as others
have done to rebuild using local talent.
Having gathered the parts and a sad looking car I returned
home to a wife, sons and a mother who all thought the
end is nigh. I must say the thought that the "Bentley
Boys" are watching as to how this bush mechanic
was going to handle a WO rebuild was never far from
my mind and to that effect I made a resolution that
time was not important and the attention to detail would
be the success of the project. All other such interests
would have to take second place.
After seeking further advice from Geoff and Russell
Hayes (Motor Reconditioners) and Allan Wyllie (Auto
Restorations) the crankshaft was cut and a new flange
welded on.
Russell also fitted new sleeves, pistons and rings.
Allan reset the end float of all the main shafts.
Back in the 60's my father had problems with the skew
gears that drive the magnetos and water pump. It was
thought at the time that the loading on these gears
caused them to strip and so they removed and adapted
another water pump driven by the front pulley instead
of the fan. Having no fan over heating on trips into
built up areas and on hill climbs was always an issue.
Upon stripping down the gears it became apparent that
the magneto drive shaft was out of centre thus causing
excessive wear.
This may have been the problem that required the alteration
back in 1960.
After turning upside down the whole farm yard the elusive
water pump and fan were recovered. The dog has a new
kennel and the scrap metal pile under the trees has
a new position one meter further along from its
last resting place. This episode reminded me of days
gone by and how all these various metallic items played
a significant role in our farming operation.
Having overhauled the water pump and thermostat then
thoroughly cleaning, polishing and painting the engine
it was at last ready to assemble. This is where I probably
have just enough mechanical knowledge to get into deep
trouble.
At this time ex J I Case mechanic and engineer David
Penrose was to sell the farm a new bale feeder of which
he is the manufacturer. Just the man I needed, although
he was probably unaware as to the conditions of sale
but it also included the assembly of one Bentley engine
and after a tipple or two he caught the vintage bug.
His finger tips are probably still sporting a few blisters
of holding in the piston rings as the block was lowered
onto them and then onto the crankcase. Such an operation
requires an 80% mixture of professionalism and guts
then a blend of 10% stable bank managing and 5% lubricant
and the other 5% to the son turning up at the critical
moment. Job done, the engine was ready for ignition
having cleaned and checked the manifolds and overhead
gear.
It has been 12 months since the famous Bentley burble
had aroused ones adrenalin, the large brass starter
button was to be again forced forward to the engaging
noise of starting the WO. All the issues of water leaks,
oil leaks and poor idling plagued us for a few days
then gradually the completed old racer emerged from
the recovery room to the bright sunshine of a spring
morning. Out on highway 73, was one tuned and balanced
WO, burbling to the delight of two mechanical enthusiasts
driving to a vintage car swap meet at McLean's Island.
There in all its glory was the old racer back to its
original mechanical state as it was in 1929 with two
very experienced ears listening to the engine that all
the affection was poured into. Both Geoff Owen and wonderful
friend Pat Keating gave their seal of approval. That
was the catalyst for David and I to open up and exercise
the 4½ litres returning to the shed with the
odd swap meet part in hand to enjoy some of the very
refined products of Scotland adding to what we believe
as a small dot to the history of the fastest trucks
of old England.
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AN
ODE TO A VINTAGE BENTLEY |
Poem
by Donald Wright |
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The old Bentley has failed
to go
When last on the road she was noticeably
slow
With the smell of oil and fuel put to rest
Out with the computer onto the desk
Internet and quotes from
the mother land
I got the feeling I needed a grand
To repair this wonderful old car
Was a shot in the arm from that land afar
A rusty mechanic, a bloody
good mate
A jolly fine scotch never too late
To rebuild in a back yard shed
Of a burbling old Bentley, that we all cared
A few late nights with cast
iron parts
Retired old gentlemen considered old farts
We assembled restored and polished the brass
Twelve months later we got there at last
Give her a start a burble
once more
Out on the road foot to the floor
All balanced and tuned ready to race
A toast to WO, himself quite an ace.
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Posted here on Aug
29, 2012 |
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Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photograph received from Simon Hunt for Chassis No. RL3439 |
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Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Dick Clay for Chassis No. 147 |
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Sep 29, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Ernst Jan Krudop for his Chassis No. AX1651 |
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Sep 28, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Lars Hedborg
for his Chassis No. KL3590 |
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Sep 25, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. XV 3207 |
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Sep 24, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. YM 7165 |
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