VICKERS MK6B's resto

[Dave Mills]

Hello Colin, have been watching the rebuild and am amazed at the attention to detail. Well done!!. Like a lot of us we are all itching to assist and wishing we lived closer. I read the last post in regards to the pistons.

I may be wrong and way off the mark here but I feel from the photos they look much the same as the Rolls Royce "B" series engine pistons. A few little differences as in the expansion grooves in the skirt etc.

Have just overhauled our "B60" out of the Humber and spotted enough similarities I believe to prompt me to make contact.

"B60"
Bore - 3.5 Inch (88.9mm)
Stroke - 4.5 inch (114.29mm)
Capacity - 259.78 cu. in. (4.25 Litres)

If they are close enough to wet your appetite I am willing to post a NOS (0.20 OS) and a Used Standard piston to you for comparison.

I also now the location of ample NOS - Standard - 0.010 OS and 0.020 OS piston sets a lot closer to you than Seymour.

It makes it easier seeing your block is sleeved the only maybe could be the piston Pin location and diameter.

Cheers,

Dave.

[colin jones]

Hi Dave, thanks for the offer but I am pretty sure the B60/80 engines have different pistons but as luck is partly on my side I will possibly be able to use 4 of my 6 pistons and just get new liners. I have just put the block in my press and got the last two out and one liner came out with it with relative ease. It is no biggy to get two new pistons made of the same size so I will do that as the last two have very bad pitting on the top and I don't think you could weld them and expect it to hold up to the heat and pressure they are subject to. All in all I am glad to have my engine back and also to be doing it myself.

[simon king]

The Lagonda aficionados seem to use TWR (presumably Tom Walkinshaw Racing) Volvo pistons so that avenue might at least be worth investigating.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by simon king

The Lagonda aficionados seem to use TWR (presumably Tom Walkinshaw Racing) Volvo pistons ....

And also seem to suggest that sleeving the block creates overheating issues and piston seizures:

http://www.lagondaforum.com/showtopic.php?id=845

[colin jones]

Hmm, that was some interesting reading from the Lagonda club. I saw the interview with the restorer of the Mk1V which has the same engine and they were also told about Volvo pistons but said they were of the same dimension but the gudgeon was a different height and not suitable for the application. I don't think you could run without liners as the distance between the bores are so thin. These engines might be different as they might be mil spec. The sump is certainly different to any that is in the cars, the fan and radiator set up is way different as well. It is interesting to say the least. There is a company in Belgium that I am I contact with that supplies new cast parts and I am waiting for some very scary prices back. In the Lagonda forum comments I noticed they were doing a lot of miles which wont happen in a tank but they are a lot heavier and cooling may be an issue.

[Lynn Eades]

Colin I read some where that the VLTs suffered from overheating issues, but with the new engines they had fixed the problem for the tanks going to North Africa.
The Lagonda guys are talking about S2,S3,S4 models and yours is an ESTB. Are they versions of the ESTB? or are they different again.
They certainly sound like they have their issues. Your "dime a dozen" Falcon sounds like a very reliable option?

It appears that there were about 900 Mk6bs, so maybe a sump somewhere? I bet some of those Lagonda guys have gone past some of the oddball bits you're searching for.

[Ben]

I spoke with a Lagonda restorer at the weekend.

The basic engine is the same in the light tank as the cars. The sump and ancillaries etc are different between versions but the basic castings are common. If you could find a car engine he suggested you’d have the vast majority of the what you needed....... he said the main issue would be finding an unwanted engine (or parts) and being prepared to compete in a very expensive classic car market.

His suggestion was to use another engine type to get the tank moving and build the Meadows slowly as affordable parts became available. He did apologise saying it’s not the best news but without a blank cheque book they can be an awkward engine to restore if the general parts condition is poor........ certainly possible but prepare to be patient.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by simon king

The Lagonda aficionados seem to use TWR (presumably Tom Walkinshaw Racing) Volvo pistons.

TRW, not TWR, is a major automotive parts manufacturer.

https://www.trwaftermarket.com/en/

[colin jones]

Interesting comments but I have no doubt what so ever that this engine will go. The head is good, the block is good, crank case good, gaskets are no problem, camshaft can be linished same as the crank. 4-5 places in Adelaide that make white metal bearings, I am currently making a new sump and riser. It's just a couple of pistons to get made or I might be able to get a full S/H set for 500 dollars and a bit of machining here and there so I really don't feel quite too concerned about its repair. It will take me the next three days for the riser and three more for the sump. I'll post some pics when they're done. It's a bit exciting and we'll be in New Zealand in three weeks or so.

[David Dunlop]

Well that news is a quantum leap forward for you, Colin!

Is there anything Vickers related to look at in New Zealand while you are there? A shed full of NOS parts, perhaps?

David

[RichardT10829]

Love it ! if you don't quit Colin, you cant fail.