1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25HP Park Ward Saloon - barnfind project

[RelentlessForwardProgress]

What a story! This is a really fascinating restoration to follow, thanks for sharing it.

[Lord Flashheart]

andyfeaver said:

Freeing the engine up is all part of the assessment process - and to make the eventual disassembly a little easier. I have no idea on the condition of the head (one of the main weaknesses of this engine) and, while it is apart, should I get hardened valve seats fitted etc to allow for modern petrol? Some 20/25 R-R owners I have spoken to have not done so, relying on fuel tank additives to protect their engines.

All good problems to solve! :-)

Take care,

AF

This is interesting. I was led to believe, somewhere down the line, that these engines are too lazy to require hardened valve seats. That lead free petrol wouldn't be a concern. Now I'd better look a bit further into it!

[Polly Grigora]

Fully understand that some people like a challenge, but..........

Bookmarked

[andyfeaver]

Lord Flashheart said:

This is interesting. I was led to believe, somewhere down the line, that these engines are too lazy to require hardened valve seats. That lead free petrol wouldn't be a concern. Now I'd better look a bit further into it!

Lord Flashheart - just to allay your concerns re fuel. From the reading I have done this afternoon (beer in hand, sat in the sunshine in the garden!), it seems that you are quite right. Key things are:

- Keep an eye on the valve clearances
- Use 97/98 octane fuel (E5 protection grade) - to avoid the effects of E10 on cars which are not run everyday
- Additives can help - Castrol Valvemaster was tested by the FBHVC as being fit for purpose.

For some more detailed reading, here is the former head of engines at Rolls Royce on the effects of lead in fuel:

https://rroc.org.au/library/unleaded/kelee.html

It will be many months before this becomes an issue for me... but in a roundabout way, it has clarified some aspects of the engine rebuild re: valve seats for modern fuel. :-)

AF

[Lord Flashheart]

andyfeaver said:

Lord Flashheart said:

This is interesting. I was led to believe, somewhere down the line, that these engines are too lazy to require hardened valve seats. That lead free petrol wouldn't be a concern. Now I'd better look a bit further into it!

Lord Flashheart - just to allay your concerns re fuel. From the reading I have done this afternoon (beer in hand, sat in the sunshine in the garden!), it seems that you are quite right. Key things are:

- Keep an eye on the valve clearances
- Use 97/98 octane fuel (E5 protection grade) - to avoid the effects of E10 on cars which are not run everyday
- Additives can help - Castrol Valvemaster was tested by the FBHVC as being fit for purpose.

For some more detailed reading, here is the former head of engines at Rolls Royce on the effects of lead in fuel:

https://rroc.org.au/library/unleaded/kelee.html

It will be many months before this becomes an issue for me... but in a roundabout way, it has clarified some aspects of the engine rebuild re: valve seats for modern fuel. :-)

AF

A worthwhile read, thank you.

[InitialDave]

I've read that Esso premium unleaded is ethanol free, but apparently it depends where in the country you are.