Building "Thor"

[Storer]

Today has seen my bank account taking a hit with the acquisition of RR Phantom II front and rear axles (complete with brake drums and shoes), springs and hangers.

These are getting like hens teeth so the price reflects the scarcity. I am gradually ticking the boxes that will enable the car to be re-registered with an age related plate and therefore not require either IVA/SVA (whatever), an MOT or road fund licence payment.

Other progress this evening has seen the finishing of the dry sump tank complete with vent cap.

The fuel tank (gas cylinder) has had the threaded fitting welded to the bottom too. This proved totally uneventful (the cylinder was full of water though) with no flames or even a smell of gas. Bit of a non-event really. I had rinsed it thoroughly after cutting the hole and left it for a couple of days so all seems set. Just got to get a few fittings and a couple of taps.

Pictures to follow.

[Storer]

vincegail said:

I love the fact that these man-in-a-shed-built cars (no offence, rather a compliment!) can be road-legal in the UK. In Belgium, when you change your wiperblades, you have to re-test and re-register your car, as it is no longer 'original' anymore.










I might be slightly exaggerating here, but not much!

Shhhhhhh!

I am sure our government don't realise.


Paul

[Storer]

I am sorry if a few of you watchers don't like some of my posts. I am not forcing you to read this thread so if you don't like the way I post... tuff. Stop watching!

Now some progress.

Oil tank, radiator, cooling system link pipe, and some of the battery brackets fitted this evening. I picked up the remaining fittings for the fuel tank so should complete that at the weekend.

Pics









The bits in the following pictures would pay for a new small hatchback. Such is the value of RR Phantom II parts these days. Bloody special builders.





I had planned that I would have more time to dedicate to this project this month but I struggle to manage more than a few hours in the evening or weekend. I am supposed to be semi-retired but there seem to be too many demands on my time at the moment.

Paul

[Storer]

This car will not need IVA, MOT or RFL due to the chassis age.

It's just a 1930's Rolls Royce Special!!


Not seen the Paul Jameson 6 wheeler before. What a machine! Batman would have been proud to drive that...


I am now having to think of everything I am going to need to get this engine running for New Years Day and get it here before UK PLC shuts down for a couple of weeks for Christmas....


Paul

[Storer]

The 'attention seeker' is back with a bit more progress.



I think we can use the American name in this case. The "gas" tank and battery trial fitted.

By this evening the welding was completed and the internals of the box section power washed out, end caps welded on and the system filled with water for leak test. A few are evident so that is tomorrow mornings task. Then paint!


Paul

[Storer]

I know that other are finding this interesting. I am the same with other people's builds. It is a major reason for building this car from my point of view. I get the fact that it provides others with pleasure. I am the same when I see another interesting car.
Life is short and can be boring so anything that generates a smile has to be worth while.

Steve
Have you any idea how rare a Spitfire throttle is!!!
The ignition system is now my main concern. All hoses arrived today so when the paint is hard I can commence construction.
The engine uses magnetos and I have a starter motor and starter coil. Cables are on order.

I may use my old Ultima gauges for oil pressure, water temp and revs. I like the idea they will have a second life.

The car will have period gauges from either Rolls Royce or WWII aircraft.

I am getting some grief from Mrs Storer as there are a few "chores" that I need to complete before Christmas, like tiling above the worktop in the new kitchen and fitting the cooker stainless steel splash back.
Once the engine chassis is painted I must do my "chores" before finishing the buck.


Paul

[Storer]

JonRB said:

Storer said:

I am getting some grief from Mrs Storer as there are a few "chores" that I need to complete before Christmas, like tiling above the worktop in the new kitchen and fitting the cooker stainless steel splash back.

That sounds exceedingly boring. Pay someone else to do it?

You obviously don't understand the concept of "brownie points".

I have paid someone to design the kitchen, fit the kitchen, do most of the wiring for the kitchen, paint the kitchen and lay the new flooring in the kitchen. If I fit the 200 tiles (small) in the kitchen I gain "brownie points". Brownie points lead to nice meals, me time, less grief over what Thor is costing, and time in the workshop. Brownie Points are good!


Paul

[Storer]

Today's tasks successfully completed.



The leaks took longer than I anticipated to fix but got there in the end.

Like the colour? I happened to have a 5 lit tin of JCB paint in my store and I know it's good stuff so, job done.
It's too late not to paint the gas tank as it's done along with the radiator too.

I still need to fabricate a 'control panel' but that will be bolt on.

The workshop heater will run all night to help the paint dry and tomorrow is likely to be spent tiling in the kitchen so with luck it will be hard by Tuesday.


Paul

[Storer]

It will definitely not look like that car.......... I have to say only it's creator can love something that looks like that.

I like the hot rod, but mine will be open top and only 2 seats.


Paul

[Storer]

I suspect the engineering will dictate some of the look of the body but I have yet to finalise in my mind what the finished article will look like.

I know it will be a 2 seater with a very long bonnet and probably a Rolls Royce grill - it is a RR Special after all. I want to be able to use it on the road so it will have lights - probably period correct - a bit of luggage space (Le Mans here I come!).

Bodywork is probably a year away yet.


Paul

[Storer]

Anybody fancy a project with more grunt than mine?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/English-Electric-Lightni...

Now watching that run up would be something!

Paul

[Storer]

A momentous evening for me.



Had to remove the original steel oil pick-up pipe and fit a steel reinforced rubber hose that connects to my dry sump tank. Also started to remove all the waxed paper wrapping of all the rubber hoses and cable covers.

Tomorrow I hope to connect the fuel lines, finish the oil lines and connect all the water hoses. Oil and anti-freeze should arrive on Friday (while I am having a day's R & R!). Switches and fuses should arrive tomorrow. The largest Kenlowe electric fan they make arrived today.

I think I nearly have everything I need to get this complete. Even got some experienced advice heading my way at the weekend!


Paul

[Storer]

No exhaust Steve. Just open so all the studs will have to come out (they will be too long anyway).


Paul

[Storer]

I might not have a Spitfire throttle lever but I do have a Spitfire/Lancaster starter button.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spitfire-Hurricane-Lancast...



Paul

Edited for wine fuelled spelling error.

Edited by Storer on Thursday 12th December 00:22

[Storer]

JonRB said:

Mikeyplum said:

Ayahuasca said:

Sorry if it's a silly question - what is the gas cylinder for?

Think he was taking the piss out of the Yank term "Gas Tank"...

No, the cylinder really is an old Calor Gas tank. Ayahuasca is asking what purpose it serves.

I'd make a guess at it being the oil reservoir for the dry sump, but it's just a guess.

The "gas tank" is the gasoline tank. I had a few old one's sitting around and rather than buy a 20lit jerry can I thought I would use one. Not likely to expand much in the heat either.

The dry sump tank is a the front between the radiator and the engine.

Today has not gone quite as well as I had hoped. Fuel pipes and filters, oil connections and some of the coolant plumbing are complete, but I am short a few fittings. Ordering some tonight and getting some aluminium welding done tomorrow as my welder decided to not play ball this evening.

Dug out some old Ultima gauges for oil pressure, water temperature and revs as I like the idea that it will donate them to the new project!


Paul

[Storer]

JonRB said:

Storer said:

The "gas tank" is the gasoline tank. I had a few old one's sitting around and rather than buy a 20lit jerry can I thought I would use one. Not likely to expand much in the heat either.

The dry sump tank is a the front between the radiator and the engine.

Ok, Apologies. I did stress it was a guess and that I might be wrong.

No need to apologise. I obviously haven't explained the design properly.


Paul

[Storer]

ARAF said:

Megaflow said:

Quick question that I don't think has been asked, but what is the need for the test chassis, can't you do the testing in the main chassis?

I think it's as much about being able to use the engine as anything. I think I read that the test chassis has an urgent deadline, as some locals want the engine fired up as part of their Christmas/New Year festivities.

It also increases the value of the engines, if you can show one working before sale (not that I think that's the remit at the moment).

Couldn't have answered the question any better myself.


Paul

[Storer]

Baron Greenback said:

Both you and GTRCLIVE are doing I would love to do! Design thing that you want but cant get hold of and for the challenge / advertise your ability as for gtrclive!

If you have something you want to do, and you feel that it is within you to be able to make it happen, then you owe it to yourself have a go. You may need to start small/simple and save the "big one" until you have developed the necessary skills and funds, but you can make that start.

Have a go!


Paul

[Storer]

A bit of a frustrating day today.

The fittings on the engine where you want to put things like oil pressure and water temperature gauge sensors are all BSF fittings. They are not normal stock items at local fitting suppliers. They convert to BSP - mainly 3/8 and 1/2 BSP fittings for hoses and most gauges I have a metric............bugger.

I have acquired BSF dies, but I am having to make the fittings for various things.

Managed the temperature, oil pressure senders and the pre-oiler pump but I have yet to sort the improved oil supply to the heads when the engine is running. If this mod is not done the cams get chewed up very quickly due to lack of oil supply at tickover and low revs. Remember that the original engine was designed to be airborne in less than 8 mins from start-up and then run at 2000+rpm.

Got to source the 24v 200amp starter solenoid tomorrow and some wires.

Lots of little things to do, but they are the things that eat time.......


Paul

PS.
For the car fitment I will attempt to tidy up the fittings but time is against me at the moment.

[Storer]

The engine in the Centurion tank was a RR/Rover Meteor but the design was very, very similar to the Merlin in the Spitfire and was designed for the Schneider Cup pre-WWII racing seaplanes.

Most (the majority) of the parts in this engine are the same as a Merlin. There was no time or money to make a special engine for the tanks.

The tanks ate the engines if they spent much time idling. The aircraft were not expected to last long (measured in weeks rather than years) are aircraft losses were high and when running they were turning between 2000 and 2700rpm.

There are many different components bolted to the outside of a Meteor when compared to a Merlin, but a lot of the insides are the same, or at least the same design.


Paul