sleeve valve engines
Discussion
Several years ago I asked for posters knowledge and experiences regarding sleeve valve engines. Received a few interesting responses.
I am now asking again but with particular interest in the Knight double sleeve valve straight six engine. The car in question that I am interested in is a Daimler from 1926 which is said to be in good running order. Looks to be a lovely old car that may fit my bill, but it would mean goodbye to my vintage vauxhall.
My concern is the reliability/servicing/spare parts of the engine, although my vauxhall is a 'break it then make it car' so I guess I am used to that.
My alternative would be a R.R. 20hp of 1920's vintage.
Comments and advise appreciated.
I am now asking again but with particular interest in the Knight double sleeve valve straight six engine. The car in question that I am interested in is a Daimler from 1926 which is said to be in good running order. Looks to be a lovely old car that may fit my bill, but it would mean goodbye to my vintage vauxhall.
My concern is the reliability/servicing/spare parts of the engine, although my vauxhall is a 'break it then make it car' so I guess I am used to that.
My alternative would be a R.R. 20hp of 1920's vintage.
Comments and advise appreciated.
crankedup said:
My concern is the reliability/servicing/spare parts of the engine, although my vauxhall is a 'break it then make it car' so I guess I am used to that.
Given the numbers produced originally there won't be many 'breakers' available and the same limited numbers mean survivors are few and far between, so I'd be astonished if there is anything off-the-shelf beyond maybe magneto bits. I don't know about specifics to the Daimler, but sleeve valve engines tend to burn a fair bit of oil even in good nick as the clearances betwixt bore-sleeve and sleeve-piston are generous to facilitate lots of oil flow and therefore cooling, I also remember reading that the sleeve valve actuation gear can be a weak point, although that might be a hangover from contemporary unreliability due to crap 1920s/1930s lubricants and ignorant people revving from cold. The same crap lubricants probably helped produce poor sleeve life and overheating. Doubtless there's a sleeve valve specialist out there who can furnish you with expensive bespoke spares and advise on maintenance.Looks a lovely period piece but not a drivers car and in view of the complexity of Daimlers range and engines in the 20's I have no doubt any mechanical work would be eye wateringly expensive.Not for nothing did many end up with a later push rod engine.I would not expect it to have any noticeable performance so fine for run to pub or local show but not a 100 mile trip down the A5!.
Actually I'd love it in my shed for just the pub run and remember the Daimler image was old money Rolls were for nouveau rich. Don't know which Vauxhall you have presumably not a 30/98 so 14/40 or the later GM 20/60. I would imagine either would be more useable than this Daimler but the clear choice if you are to change would be a nicely bodied Rolls 20 I would think. With overdrive they can tour very nicely.
Funnily enough Vauxhall made a short run of sleeve valved cars in the mid 20's but none survive at least so far I believe.
I suppose your proposed use is important - if like me you perhaps do 3 or 4 thousand miles in a vintage car each year plus maybe a continental tour but can't afford a Bentley the 12/50 Alvis takes some beating with the Registers incredible spares scheme back up plus lively on road performance. If you do the odd weekend Rally and a low road mileage then these things are less important.
Actually I'd love it in my shed for just the pub run and remember the Daimler image was old money Rolls were for nouveau rich. Don't know which Vauxhall you have presumably not a 30/98 so 14/40 or the later GM 20/60. I would imagine either would be more useable than this Daimler but the clear choice if you are to change would be a nicely bodied Rolls 20 I would think. With overdrive they can tour very nicely.
Funnily enough Vauxhall made a short run of sleeve valved cars in the mid 20's but none survive at least so far I believe.
I suppose your proposed use is important - if like me you perhaps do 3 or 4 thousand miles in a vintage car each year plus maybe a continental tour but can't afford a Bentley the 12/50 Alvis takes some beating with the Registers incredible spares scheme back up plus lively on road performance. If you do the odd weekend Rally and a low road mileage then these things are less important.
crankedup said:
Several years ago ... sleeve valve...
My alternative would be a R.R. 20hp.
Well you keep coming back to the idea, so you might as well try one and then the other.My alternative would be a R.R. 20hp.
The car appears to be an Open Drive Landualette, so make sure you have a good coat.
Although like FDS, I have a 12/50; and Dad went (in the 60's) from an Austin Heavy 12 to a RR 20hp.
Thank you to all respondents, as always some interesting and helpful posts to help me make up my mind on the issue. Over the weekend I found a comment regarding the oil consumption, mentioned on here earlier, and 70 miles to two pints of oil is concerning (and thats when the engine is running nicely). Also the cost of spare parts or repairs has put the tin hat on my purchase, pity because it is a lovely unspoilt vintage machine. But I have read all comments and brooded over the weekend and decided not to go the sleeve valve engine route.
My Vauxhall is a 20/60 and is great for towing my vintage caravan, but I will sell the caravan and Vauxhall in favour of a 20hp and I cover around 2-3000 miles year. Been pondering a change for about five years now
My Vauxhall is a 20/60 and is great for towing my vintage caravan, but I will sell the caravan and Vauxhall in favour of a 20hp and I cover around 2-3000 miles year. Been pondering a change for about five years now
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