Help ! Wet sumping Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet 1954

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Help ! Wet sumping Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet 1954#505

By Cavetroll - Mon May 21, 2012 5:49 pm

- Mon May 21, 2012 5:49 pm #505

I have inherited my Dads' Royal Enfield Bullet 350cc (1954). It needs some work, the last tax disc shows it was running in 1979, and I have had it running - BUT with masses of smoke coming out the breather pipe. My Dad always used to say that he would have to drain the sump out because it was filling up with oil.

Any hints, help would be appreciated, really want to get this bike on the road and am prepared to do what it takes, its a lovely example of this model and wanna do my Dad proud. Cheers.

Help ! Wet sumping Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet 1954#12772

By Mark M - Mon May 21, 2012 6:54 pm

- Mon May 21, 2012 6:54 pm #12772

CT, stick with it, the oil will eventually return to the tank. May take a few minutes. May result in a fouled plug so have a spare handy! Make sure oil level in tank is about half way up dipstick under normal running, overfilling will just result in it being blown out. Regular use is best cure for wet sumping but if it wets quickly, say in under a week of non use, an engine rebuild will probably be the only answer. There is something in the Technical Notes on this site about it I think! Let us know how you get on, I'm rebuilding a 1955 350 at the moment.
REgards, Mark

Help ! Wet sumping Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet 1954#12775

By Roy - Mon May 21, 2012 7:43 pm

- Mon May 21, 2012 7:43 pm #12775

Help ! Wet sumping Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet 1954#12776

By Roy - Mon May 21, 2012 7:50 pm

- Mon May 21, 2012 7:50 pm #12776

Sorry but something went wrong with my first reply. Two of my 350cc Royal Enfields wet sump if they stand for a few weeks as I cannot always find the time to take them out. The advice on the web site works for me and that is to park the engine with the piston at top dead centre which then prevents the oil gravitating from the oil tank through the big end bearing into the sump. Try this tip first before you try anything drastic. I have seven pre 1963 Enfields and they are magnificent and reliable Bikes to ride.

Help ! Wet sumping Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet 1954#12786

By Alan R - Mon May 21, 2012 9:56 pm

- Mon May 21, 2012 9:56 pm #12786

Hi lads ----------well one bit of good news for you guys. It seems that your pre-1960 bikes are now MoT exempt as well as tax-free.

Help ! Wet sumping Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet 1954#12802

By Les H - Tue May 22, 2012 7:29 am

- Tue May 22, 2012 7:29 am #12802

Wet sumping on old engines is often the oil in the timing case draining through the timing side main-bearing as it has no oil seal. Fitting a modern single sided sealed bearing in the timing side will help. Make sure the pumps are in good condition and the pump faces are lapped in perfectly. As it is, you could use Mono-grade oil rather than multi-grade type. Leaving the piston at TDC will only help if the pumps are passing oil, but this usually applies to gear type pumps (Norton, BSA, AMC) rather than piston types as they seal very well if unworn.