Forum

[Mark M]

I fitted the clutch and primary prior to doing the ignition timing and now the engine has locked up. Stripped down the primary thinking maybe I'd left a washer or spacer out but no, the crank will only turn reluctantly about 180*. What motion there is is very rough, almost as if a bearing has seized which is odd as everything is new and well lubricated on assembly. Will have to strip the crank to find out what's going on which is very boring. Off to the pub!

REgards, Mark

[Chris Tindal]

Commiserations, at least it's not just me having problems

[scotty]

Mark try taking the timing side cover off I found that case gaskets vary a lot in thickness and will jam up, was the crank spinning freely in cases if not could be flywheels slighty out of alignment if head is on could you have a pushrod come adrift.

[Mark M]

Thanks Chris, this is really unexpected. The crank was spinning freely up until this point. Scotty, this is a 1955 Redditch 350 and I have stripped the engine right down to the cases, only the barrel and piston are still fitted so the problem has to be with the bigend bearing or main bearings but why is a mystery at this stage. A couple of pints of Otter in the village pub cheered me up so I'll have a think about it tomorrow!

REgards, Mark

[Adrian]

So you still have a village pub selling decent ale? Things could be worse...

[papasmurf]

The 180 degrees is a bit of a clue. I suggest checking the valve operating system from gears to rockers, before going as far as splitting he crankcases. (You may have done something stupid, as I suspect everyone on this forums has at some time.)

[PO51UHD]

Hello Mark, don't know if this helps, but when I rebuilt Rusty, my 350 Superstar, I had a similar problem at exactly the same stage which turned out to be aftermarket pushrods fouling in the tunnel of one of Mr H's Al barrel (from memory it was the inlet one I think...). Soon sorted with my trusty Aldi 'Dremel'.
Let us know how you go on...
Stephen

[Mark M]

Thanks for you replies chaps but several of you haven't read what I wrote. The only thing attached to the cases is the barrel and piston. No pushrods, timing gear, primary chain, sprocket, etc etc. That's what's got me so puzzled!

REgards, Mark

[scotty]

MarkM, take it your down Devon way had a couple of pints at a place halfway between sidmouth and honiton, not bad bit thin but as soon as they knew you were from aust tried to flog you fosters crap beer, only tourists drink that stuff. Sometimes with enfields you can right royally stuff up on things you did before ok.

[Mark M]

Scotty, I'm coming to that conclusion! I have had a couple of ideas which I will investigate. On the other subject, our local pub (The Coffee Pot Tavern, Google it if you're interested,) is a Free House and a while back they asked us regulars what draught beers we would like from the very comprehensive list they have. We had a shortlist over a couple of months and the ones that do best are Otter and Doombar so you have a weakish ale and a stronger one. We get a lot of visitors moor overnight on the Grand Union Canal which runs past the village and they seem to like it too. I might be going back for more tonight if I don't make progress on this! Also, we have an informal bike meet coming up at the pub, Saturday 13th May from midday, all old vehicles welcome but I will stand a pint to anyone from this Board who comes along! You get a free cup of tea/coffee if you turn up on an old vehicle anyway.

REgards, Mark