1965 Mk1 road/rally Bitsa, (now supercharged 8 port)

[Tim]

What could cause that? It looks like an inclusion in the casting, like a core support or something, that has been in the wall of the cylinder after it was bored?

I agree that sleeving is the only option to save that block. Mine had to be sleeved after it sat with water in it for a few years. I don't have anything like your performance, but it has been perfect ever since it was done.

Tim

[Richspec]

I think you're right, a friend posted a pic on facebook of a sectioned block and there were some metal bits (core supports as you properly call them) as prime suspect.

[MiNiKiN]

This is an opportunity not a problem: convert this into a 2-stroke port

[Richspec]

Thread resurrection!!!

New Block,
Different head
new Cam, Pistons and (fancy) rods
New gearbox, gearset, and LSD
Electric water pump conversion
New Electric fan

Custom supercharger bracket.
New chargecooler, reservoir, pump and rad with fan.

A lot of time, a lot of hoses, pipes, and hoseclips

and its Evo 2 of the supercharged Arden complete (slightly more so than this pic) and driving (round the carpark so far). First show and outing since the Monte start in Jan 2020 is this Sunday.

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[Fanfaniracing]

Holy Moly!!!

Looking good Rich!

[W1NG3D]

That's an epic engine bay! I'm assuming it's a Davies Craig electric pump setup you've gone for - have you got any photos of how/where it's mounted? I'd be curious to see where it's all been squeezed in as I recently purchase a complete engine which came with Davies Craig pump, fan and controller, but I don't think I'll be able to fit it in my bay without opening up the inner wing, converting to a front rad, or dry decking the engine. Current plan is to go back to an old faithful mechanical pump but retain the electric fan on a simple thermostatic switch + relay.

[Richspec]

Its under the inner wing behind the indicator.

And what a palaver to fit, the hardest bit being the feed from the bottom of the rad, its has to do a 180 to get out through the existing hole in the inner wing, only problem being there is no pipe with a hard enough turn, without making one and I've no room as my supercharger bracket supports to the timing cover are also down there, (and my tig skills dont match my ambition yet!)
So the route out is off the bottom of the rad, 90 deg turn up, short straight, 90 deg turn then a section of bend back down which lines up right next to the rad outlet, from there theres a bend , straight and adaptor to the pump which is on a bracket secured to one of the lamp bar mounting bolts.
From pump outlet is works its way back up and across the fan and re enters the engine bay above the shock mount beside the wiper motor, here it turns left and down at an angle through the radiator shroud before once more turning 90 into the block. The heater system also re joins near the wiper motor.
I'll get some pics this weekend.
The controller is fixed to a bracket on the rollcage under the dash slightly and ties into the existing fan relays under there. This means the fan is controlled by the DC controller, the ECU or a manual switch.

[W1NG3D]

Its under the inner wing behind the indicator.

And what a palaver to fit, the hardest bit being the feed from the bottom of the rad, its has to do a 180 to get out through the existing hole in the inner wing, only problem being there is no pipe with a hard enough turn, without making one and I've no room as my supercharger bracket supports to the timing cover are also down there, (and my tig skills dont match my ambition yet!)
So the route out is off the bottom of the rad, 90 deg turn up, short straight, 90 deg turn then a section of bend back down which lines up right next to the rad outlet, from there theres a bend , straight and adaptor to the pump which is on a bracket secured to one of the lamp bar mounting bolts.
From pump outlet is works its way back up and across the fan and re enters the engine bay above the shock mount beside the wiper motor, here it turns left and down at an angle through the radiator shroud before once more turning 90 into the block. The heater system also re joins near the wiper motor.
I'll get some pics this weekend.
The controller is fixed to a bracket on the rollcage under the dash slightly and ties into the existing fan relays under there. This means the fan is controlled by the DC controller, the ECU or a manual switch.

That sounds like a mission and a half! I might stick with my current plan of mechanical pump + electric fan with that in mind mounting it under the wing like that is a creative solution though!

[Richspec]

unfortunately on Sat afternoon test drive the supercharger stopped spinning...but obviously the belt was still getting turned, up until the point it melted and snapped.
I've found a supercharger rebuilder in the UK and it'll be going there for free assessment first.

Bugger.

[Fanfaniracing]

Seems not being an 8 Port Weekend.

Went for a drive yesterday and suddenly my engine only run on 3 pots...

I can feel with you Rich

[Richspec]

thats normal for me!! LOL, usually fouled a plug when starting and once they are wet they are only fit for the bin.

[Richspec]

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[Richspec]

that was thursday

this is today.

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should be back in by midweek.

[mk1]

OUCH!

What do you think caused the Blower failure?

[Richspec]

Lubrication failure, it failed to keep pumping the oil round.
It 100% was full of oil and we pressure bled it but it stopped pumping for whatever reason. Then just got hot and ate itself.
I was wondering if there's a blockage in the filter so have a fresh one to go in.

[mk1]

It took me AGES of faffing about getting my oil tank in "just exactly the right position" too high & it flooded, to low & it didn't flow properly. Was one of the trickiest things about the build. Now I have something new to worry about

[Richspec]

I have to say I'm not convinced its been right from the word go.
I've been sent some new priming instructions which I'll use!

[mk1]

When I bled mine, I made an adaptor that fitted on an air line, regulated down to bugger all. I tipped a load of oil in the tank & then blew it through. I sucked oil out of the tank a bit at a time until the level was just right. It's a total PITA because you need to measure the level when it running, not when it is stationary.

One time I left too much oil in & it drained through the blower & ended up in the inlet pipe in a big pool. All has been OK for a while now. I just check the blower oil every now & again & it doesn't seem to change in consistency or level.

Hope you get sorted.

[roger mcnab]

hi
what is the gismo in the above posts and what is it supposed to do excuse my ignorance but never seen that thing before cheers roger mc nab

[mk1]

Its a Rotrex Centrifugal Supercharger a sort of hydrid. Works like a Supercharger but is more like a Turbo in a lot of respects. They are far more efficient than the old positive pressure type Blowers.

https://www.rotrex.com/centrifugal-superchargers/