The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => A7 & A10 Engine => Topic started by: a10 bobber on 26.08. 2014 13:10

Title: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: a10 bobber on 26.08. 2014 13:10
Hi, as previously posted, my engine has seized. I'm now thinking of sending it off with the gearbox to be refurbished.
 So who would you recommend in the u.k? I'm in the Milton Keynes Area, but that may not be 'relevant.
 Regards Paul
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: Butch (cb) on 26.08. 2014 13:20
Roger at Cake St Classics. He's in the wilds of Suffolk. He did my motor after a crank seizure and it's great. Top bloke.
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: Topdad on 26.08. 2014 13:23
Hi Paul , quite a few respected companies and individuals have been mentioned before and really ,has with everything its a question of how deep are your pockets? I would recommend SRM or cake st classics purely from past experience with both comps (SRM for instance will talk through whats required once stripped ) others will come back more names for the same reason. Who ever does  it make sure that they report back to you before they do any repairs and poss consider some mods ( mainbearing conversion etc ) . Wouldn't you consider having a go yourself , you'd get loads of help here and they are not that complicated plus at least you will see the damage and can get a pretty good idea what needs to be done and then just post off the bits  to the companies chosen, food for thought I hope best wishes BobH.
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: a10 bobber on 26.08. 2014 13:23
Thanks for the reply.did you have the needle roller conversion?
 Regards Paul
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: Topdad on 26.08. 2014 13:28
Hi paul, I was typing has Cyclo was posting so not sure who you're asking but in my case I did get the needleroller conversion done ,9 yrs ago still going fine (touchwood ) plus a bore new pistons valves and cam only thing didn't get and I kick myself now was new rods which are on my wish list . Give them a call unless you are going to take a spanner to it yourself, regards BobH
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: a10 bobber on 26.08. 2014 13:30
Hi, I was thinking of SRM and having the mains converted.
 I would attempt it but don't know anything about tolerances/end float etc.
 I would hate to spend months and hours doing it to find I missed something and it fails.
 I may tackle the gearbox myself.
 Regards Paul
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: victortrry on 26.08. 2014 14:47
I subscribe to a royal enfield forum a couple of years ago one of the subsribers seized his 500cc bullet, at first he was asking questions about who to send it to for repairs then someone suggested he do it  himself and ask questions on the forum after about 1600 or so questions it was back on the road.  He got the satisfaction of doing it himself.  Some things you can't do yourself then you have to shop it out.
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: a10 gf on 26.08. 2014 15:47
^^^
Quote
after about 1600 or so questions it was back on the road
a10 bobber, do the work yourself (apart from any machining needs, of course), then we'll have a great, instructive and inspiring thread on the forum :O)
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: Topdad on 26.08. 2014 16:25
A10bobber , I think you're being ganged up on , in the nicest possible way , BobH
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: a10 bobber on 26.08. 2014 20:39
Never thought I'd be bullied at my age! *smile*! Right then, my very patient salt of the earth brother in law, has removed the head which is fine, so are the pistons and bores, although one is showing extremely minor signs of a nip-up.  The sump however was full of white metal and the crank appears to have twisted on itself by around 30degrees and is solid.
 I plan to send the bottom end off to SRM for a sort out and conversion. I also think I'll need new rods due to the stresses they would have gone through.
 Regards Paul
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: duTch on 27.08. 2014 08:01

 *eek*
Quote
The sump however was full of white metal and the crank appears to have twisted on itself by around 30degrees and is solid.
    *eek*

 Trying to wring its' neck for a few more revs..?.....
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: Topdad on 27.08. 2014 11:01
Hi , has your B-i-law pulled the bottom end apart ? best to. 1) it'll give you a chance to check the cases and then start looking for a replacement crank , by the way what is the  engine number you'll need to confirm size of crank ,sml journal or large . 2) Why pay SRM to strip the deceased bits , everything comes apart without special tools ,it will cost enough to rebuild without adding to your expence plus you'd both get experience working on them which is invaluable . From memory SRM need cases ,crank, oil pump and inner and outer cases for them to do the conversion .The more you can source the better has although quite a few of us like and respect SRM they have to make a profit so everything they sell has a mark up on it to you . Hope thats not sounding like I'm teaching you to suck eggs ,just trying help get her back together. I and and I'm sure others on the forum will keep our eyes open for bits , post what you're looking for and I'll look for you, bets wishes BobH.
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: duTch on 27.08. 2014 14:41
Quote
*eek*
Quote

    The sump however was full of white metal and the crank appears to have twisted on itself by around 30degrees and is solid.

    *eek*

 Trying to wring its' neck for a few more revs..?.....

 What I really meant, was I'm imagining a towel that you're wringing the water out of- how does the crank look twisted..?? Don't wish to alarm you, but that's potentially 'serious' stuff- and I don't like serious.....!

 I agree with all about doing it yourself, but (no need to say this) keep small bits in containers and take progressive photos if you can it helps when you can't remember if something goes this way or that.
   When I bought my R/R @18yo, I knew Jack S. and now-?  Heck, now I know just enough to be dangerous..!

Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: Topdad on 28.08. 2014 09:55
weren't we all Dutch!!
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: terryg on 29.08. 2014 10:14
It may be too late but as you're in the Milton Keynes area I suggest talking to Derek at T&L, in Elstow just south of Bedford.  Very straightforward company to deal with.  All work clearly quoted beforehand (after strip and inspection) with (largely) firm prices - we all know that unexpected things do turn up.  Derek spent some time telling me what did not need doing, which I quite liked!
You'll find them through Google.
T&L don't offer the needle roller conversions though.
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: edboy on 29.08. 2014 14:56
has one of the conrods snapped? i cant decipher what a twisted crank could be?
lack of good 2nd hand spares is the main barrier to rebuilds and i imagine any rebuilder or engineering shop would have the same problem.
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: RichardL on 29.08. 2014 15:56
Quote
*eek*
Quote
 
When I bought my R/R @18yo, I knew Jack S. and now-?  Heck, now I know just enough to be dangerous..!

Dutch,

Until I read iust a bit further,I thought you knew a mechanic named Jack, who was well known and just went by first name, last initial.

Regarding a twisted crank, maybe others have seen it, but I am having a hard time imagining a crank to be malleable enough to twist 30 degrees, or so, without fracture. I have a feeling there are different definitions for "white metal". It's not a term used in the States. If what is meant here is bits of deformed stainless steel strips, then the main bearing inner race has spun or someone installed the shims on the wrong end of he crank.

Richard L.
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: duTch on 29.08. 2014 18:41
 
Quote
Dutch,

Until I read iust a bit further,I thought you knew a mechanic named Jack, who was well known and just went by first name, last initial.
    *lol*
           *lol*            *lol*     
                                              *lol*
 white metal could just be anything shiny- not much genuine white metal left in these anymore is there.....except 'maybe' big-end shells.....? *lol*

 *lol* *lol*
 sorry Richard- still chuckling

 
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: a10 bobber on 03.09. 2014 11:39
Found out a bit more, the bearings had collapsed in the magneto and then filled with oil muck and bullets! Then I guess it misfired whilst a piston was heading north and broke the crank.one piston was sitting 3/4" higher than the other.
 I'd love to post pictures but don't know how.
 So it's been sent to sit with a pile of other ill engines at SRM.
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: a10 gf on 03.09. 2014 11:42
Would be "nice" (or rather interesting) to see what happened.

Quote
I'd love to post pictures but don't know how
It's easy, once done the first time (like many other things in life!) Instructions in "Forum Info & Help", post picture questions there and you'll get help.
Title: Re: who would you recommend to look at my engine and gearbox for a refurb?
Post by: edboy on 03.09. 2014 19:05
due to lubrication issues what commonly happens is the drive side conrod snapping and popping out through the drive side cases. he was lucky.