Sleeve valve engines
Discussion
This isn't what you want exactly, but...
In 1978-80 I worked with a Canadian - who came over during the war and stayed - who claimed to have owned Queen Mary's sleeve valve Daimler and lived in a council house.
Apart from his description of its size and the problems associated with manoevering it in and out of the front garden every day, the only thing I can remember him saying about it was how quiet it was.
Jack "Fearless" Fairman started his career as a driver and test driver for several racing teams on the strength of test driving during his apprenticeship in Coventry. The truth was he drove sedately around town in the same Queen Mary sleeve valve Daimler.
In 1978-80 I worked with a Canadian - who came over during the war and stayed - who claimed to have owned Queen Mary's sleeve valve Daimler and lived in a council house.
Apart from his description of its size and the problems associated with manoevering it in and out of the front garden every day, the only thing I can remember him saying about it was how quiet it was.
Jack "Fearless" Fairman started his career as a driver and test driver for several racing teams on the strength of test driving during his apprenticeship in Coventry. The truth was he drove sedately around town in the same Queen Mary sleeve valve Daimler.
My Father started his career as a Diamler apprentice and spent alot of time on sleeve vales and pre select gearboxes.I remember the funeral cars being repaired in the garage next to the house.Not sure but I think the yanks bought the design and used the last of the Diamler S/V engine design in their Pirce Arrow.They were exceptionally quiet but very thirsty.I seem to remember Pistons were very weak with short split skirts and 5 rings.The material the sleeves were made from was impossible to repair. This technology has all but vanished including the specialists who repaired them. There is a collection of Royal Diamlers at Sandringham and I beleive the car you mention is there
The WW2 Hawker Typhoon / tempest used a sleeve valve H 24 I think ,manuafactured by Napier. The engine is at Duxford, cross sectioned.
The WW2 Hawker Typhoon / tempest used a sleeve valve H 24 I think ,manuafactured by Napier. The engine is at Duxford, cross sectioned.
Although not car engines, the Bristol Hercules and Centaurus auero engines should give you an indication of the potential of sleeve-valve technology (60 years ago). The last versions were putting out over 3,000 hp, albiet from 55.6 litres capacity.
Look for a copy of "Major Piston Engines of World War 11 by Victor Bingham, Airlife Publishing. Plenty of technical details and drawings of sleeve-valve engines, including how Bristol were asked to supply sleeves for the Napier Sabre engine, when Napier were unable to get their own sleeves round enough.
My only 'experience' with a sleeve-valve Daimler was when riding in a Bedford J type breakdown truck in my first job after leaving school. We often drove past a large, upright Daimler limo (D24??) and the Governor's response to my stated intention to own one was "it would cost you your week's wages to start it up" At £3.10s per week, he was probably right!
Look for a copy of "Major Piston Engines of World War 11 by Victor Bingham, Airlife Publishing. Plenty of technical details and drawings of sleeve-valve engines, including how Bristol were asked to supply sleeves for the Napier Sabre engine, when Napier were unable to get their own sleeves round enough.
My only 'experience' with a sleeve-valve Daimler was when riding in a Bedford J type breakdown truck in my first job after leaving school. We often drove past a large, upright Daimler limo (D24??) and the Governor's response to my stated intention to own one was "it would cost you your week's wages to start it up" At £3.10s per week, he was probably right!
Thanks for link Cobalt.
Coincidence an early Daimler showed up at a local Wings and Wheels show. Mid twenties and had the original 5.5 lt sleeve valve engine. Speaking to the owner I gleaned no end of valuble info from him. One of the factors of ownership is that no spare parts are available for the engine, so its all down to the machine shop to have bits made, expensive. On starting it up it made a R.R. engine of same period seem a little noisey!
Coincidence an early Daimler showed up at a local Wings and Wheels show. Mid twenties and had the original 5.5 lt sleeve valve engine. Speaking to the owner I gleaned no end of valuble info from him. One of the factors of ownership is that no spare parts are available for the engine, so its all down to the machine shop to have bits made, expensive. On starting it up it made a R.R. engine of same period seem a little noisey!
My father rebuilt a daimler 16-20 to concours standard quite a long time ago, and as part of the restoration he had to rebuild the sleeve valve engine, it had got a cracked sleeve, which he managed to repair. From what I remember it was a beautifully smooth and quiet engine, but the lubrication system was critical, I think there was a control on the dash for the something to do with the lube system.
Ive got a lot of photos of the engine in bits and a few daimler articles/drawings/manuals on the engine.
Ive got a lot of photos of the engine in bits and a few daimler articles/drawings/manuals on the engine.
I am a retired mechanical engineer living in India, interested in Vintage cars/ engine reconditioning. I own the following-
a] Fiat Topolino A Side Valve, 1949
b] Fiat Topolino C Over Head Valve,1951
c] Fiat 1100,1956
d] Standard Super 10, 1957
e] Lambretta autocycle, 1960
f] Lohmann Compession ignition cycle motor,1951
g] Elgin outboard motor,3,5hp,1947
h] Elgin outboard motor,5,5hp,1949
i] Johnson outboard motors, HD25[2,5hp 1947], TD20[5hp 1949] amd QD12[1951 10hp]
All the above have been restored by me and are in good running condition. I am especially proud of the Lohman Compression ignition cyclemotor, which is rare and a unique design, with variable compression. I obtained it from Holland and restored it myself to fine running condition.
I also have an interest in flying, having obtained a Glider Pilot's Licence and a Private Pilot's Licence in my student days. Now I fly radio controlled model aircraft and helicopters. I am currently flying an electric powered twin engine Dakota DC3.
I have a special interest in Sleeve Valve Engines and cars such as Daimler, Willys Knight, Stearns Knight, Minerva, and Voisin which used Sleeve Valve Engines. I am especially interested in the Daimler Sleeve Valve engine, a V12 called Double Six, used in Daimler cars in 1928, and would like to know more details. I recently found a gentleman in Australia who restored a Stearns Knight 8 cylinder engine after making two replacement sleeves.
I have read with interest many posts in 2006 in AACA, and everything I could find on the net about Sleeve Valve Engines. I would like to get in touch with people who own or have hands on experience with reconditioning Sleeve Valve Engines. I have also received some replies to my posts in AACA. I am also looking for a Sleeve Valve engine such as Willys Knight to restore as a project and would appreciate if you refer me to someone who is selling one. Sleeve Valve engines are very hard to find here in India.
My son lives in Atlanta, GA and we visit him once every year for a month. I look forward to the privilege of hearing from you.
Akhilesh Agarwal
a] Fiat Topolino A Side Valve, 1949
b] Fiat Topolino C Over Head Valve,1951
c] Fiat 1100,1956
d] Standard Super 10, 1957
e] Lambretta autocycle, 1960
f] Lohmann Compession ignition cycle motor,1951
g] Elgin outboard motor,3,5hp,1947
h] Elgin outboard motor,5,5hp,1949
i] Johnson outboard motors, HD25[2,5hp 1947], TD20[5hp 1949] amd QD12[1951 10hp]
All the above have been restored by me and are in good running condition. I am especially proud of the Lohman Compression ignition cyclemotor, which is rare and a unique design, with variable compression. I obtained it from Holland and restored it myself to fine running condition.
I also have an interest in flying, having obtained a Glider Pilot's Licence and a Private Pilot's Licence in my student days. Now I fly radio controlled model aircraft and helicopters. I am currently flying an electric powered twin engine Dakota DC3.
I have a special interest in Sleeve Valve Engines and cars such as Daimler, Willys Knight, Stearns Knight, Minerva, and Voisin which used Sleeve Valve Engines. I am especially interested in the Daimler Sleeve Valve engine, a V12 called Double Six, used in Daimler cars in 1928, and would like to know more details. I recently found a gentleman in Australia who restored a Stearns Knight 8 cylinder engine after making two replacement sleeves.
I have read with interest many posts in 2006 in AACA, and everything I could find on the net about Sleeve Valve Engines. I would like to get in touch with people who own or have hands on experience with reconditioning Sleeve Valve Engines. I have also received some replies to my posts in AACA. I am also looking for a Sleeve Valve engine such as Willys Knight to restore as a project and would appreciate if you refer me to someone who is selling one. Sleeve Valve engines are very hard to find here in India.
My son lives in Atlanta, GA and we visit him once every year for a month. I look forward to the privilege of hearing from you.
Akhilesh Agarwal
A friend of mine worked for a private motor collection for many years and the collection had several sleeve valve Daimlers.
He rebuilt all of these engines over the years and several others, for owners who had seen his work, especially as there are very very few engineers who can do it.
They are very difficult to make, restore and get running properly!
However they do provide an extremely smooth and quiet motoring, if a little thirsty and smoky.
He rebuilt all of these engines over the years and several others, for owners who had seen his work, especially as there are very very few engineers who can do it.
They are very difficult to make, restore and get running properly!
However they do provide an extremely smooth and quiet motoring, if a little thirsty and smoky.
Dear Mike,
Thanks for your post. I understand that sleeve valve engines are difficult to work on, that is why I'm interested in them ! I would like to get in touch with your friend who has worked on them and would be grateful if you refer me to him, or let me know his email id. I live in India where sleeve valves are hard to find. I've seen a few Daimlers and Minervas in the Blackhawk collection in San Francisco, USA. My id is akhileshagarwal2000@yahoo.com
Regards
Akhilesh
Thanks for your post. I understand that sleeve valve engines are difficult to work on, that is why I'm interested in them ! I would like to get in touch with your friend who has worked on them and would be grateful if you refer me to him, or let me know his email id. I live in India where sleeve valves are hard to find. I've seen a few Daimlers and Minervas in the Blackhawk collection in San Francisco, USA. My id is akhileshagarwal2000@yahoo.com
Regards
Akhilesh
Hi Cranked up.
Suggest you post something up on the forum at www.dlcentre.com where theres an abundance of knowledge on matters Daimler.
Suggest you post something up on the forum at www.dlcentre.com where theres an abundance of knowledge on matters Daimler.
Unfortunately I haven't seen my friend for 4-5 years and he doesn't do modern technology! Anything made after 1930 is considered modern. He was due to retire an couple of years ago and lives on a canal boat. His intention was to travel the length and breath of the canal system when he retired, so he could be anywhere!
I will try a couple of people who may have more details, as I know he was considering getting a mobile phone to take on his travels.
Mike
I will try a couple of people who may have more details, as I know he was considering getting a mobile phone to take on his travels.
Mike
No one has indicated the likely weight of a sleeve valve engine - I'm going to guess it must be quite significant - on a technical note, do the cylinder sleeves run direct in the engine block? - or are the sleeves supported on some form of bearing surface - friction on a 'cold' engine must be high and I'd guess that oil viscosity is important?
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff