A bit of an engine problem and some adjustments
 

 

The engine started all right and it was fun. The problem was, there seemed to be no circulation of the oil inside the engine. Here the rocker covers are removed to see if the rockers get any lubrication. They don't... (September 2007)

In the end the engine had to be removed and checked for dirt in the oil passages. The engineers that constructed this engine had put the oil pressure gauge sender on the oil pump. Not a good thing in this case, as the oil didn't enter the engine. Luckily there seem to have been no harm done, so after a thorough cleaning and check, it'll go together again. (October 2007) ...and October 20:th it did. And it runs nicely, juuust like a dream!

As the engine is out, the cut out for the rag joint at the steering box was enlarged, as it became apparent that it was too small. The cut out is barely visible in this pic. A brand new rag joint is waiting...

After some searching I found a pair of connecting rods with suitable diameter big ends to make a column drop from. These are early sixties Simca Aronde items. This is how they look now, before any work has been done to them, let's see what can be done!

A few days later, this is what the connecting rods look like in their new surroundings. Of course, they'll have a good squirt of paint (as will the dash), but that'll have to wait until after a small shake down test. The Ludwig Sped King bass drum/throttle pedal is also seen here. The steering wheels wears a layer of tape and fabric to prevent "hangar rash".

October 24:th
The Essex has been test driven, and successfully too!
Just a few hundred meters, but without head lights in the dark...
Maybe a real shake down test can be performed some day soon.

October 25:th
Here's a small movie clip showing the start of a shake down test which
amounted to a little less than 3 miles.
The Essex performed very nicely, and the most notable shortcoming is the too high seating
position, which will be corrected when fabricating the front bench.

The Essex is back in the garage after a couple of short shake down tests. Now it's time for fabricating a roof, an exhaust system, mounting the fenders etc.

An exhaust system is next on the agenda. Only the first header tube is welded to its flange in this pic. There's not much room for the exhaust between the steering box and the left cylinder head, it looks like it will be a close fit. This exhaust system will make it possible to run a hood. The temporary electrical system with the ignition coil taped to the brake master cylinder also seen here.

Here's the finished, though unpainted exhaust manifold. The right hand one looks similar, but is a little less curvy as it doesn't have to work its way around the steering shaft (arrow). (November 2007)

The twin exhaust with polished stainless end pieces seen here coming out on each side of the fuel tank.

Go on to part twelve