Bamfords Z4 Connecting rod bearing needed

[rleonard]

I am restoring a Bamfords Z4. This is a single cylinder 8 hp diesel. The bearing shells have a trademark circle with a VP inside. Numbers are M2116 for the upper with an oil groove and M2115 lower, plain. They are steel backed. Journal diameter is 3.250. Width is 2.40 and bearing OD is 3.414

Does anyone recognize this trademark? Have a spare set setting on a shelf?

Bob

[rleonard]

As found in the barn









Pardon my messy workbench. _Lots going on in the shop these days.

Bob

[rleonard]

Also looking for a crank handle. 2 1/2 shaft

Bob

[rleonard]

I needed a new connecting rod bearing. Cannot find one through my usual sources and getting impatient on non returned email inquiries.

Order a alloy 932 bronze tube from McMaster.
Carefully saw it in precisely half on the milling machine with a slitting saw.
Super glue it together.
Turn the OD



Bore the ID to fit and test



Finish up with oil grooves, oil wedges, holes, and the lock tabs.



It took most of the day today. Fits perfect!

Bob

I should add;

After turning the OD of the bearing, the halves were assembled in the rod. There is .003 compression on the cap. The rod cap bolts are torqued and then the ID is bored to size on the mill. Then it was a matter of completing the oil grooves and holes.

Bob

[rleonard]

I have a crank handle that fits now. The head has been all gone through and is on. Valves are set, and now fitting new Gib Keys.

Next will be working on the injection system.

Bob

[rleonard]

Ready for primer, but too cold and windy outside.



I made up this replacement lower water flange. The original is made to slip a hose over. This one will go out to a T where I can attach a drain valve.



Little by little....

Bob

[Contaucreek]

Looking good Bob, Nick camera shy ?? Was the ring gear just sweated on the flywheel ?? I have often thought about cutting a flange from plate and then just welding the appropriate fitting on. Nice to have machine tools though.

[rleonard]

Hi Paul,
Nick was outside guarding the shop!

The Ring gear came off without too much effort. It was a shrink fit. The teeth were in such bad shape, had to be either replaced or eliminated. The rest of the starting arrangement was quite crude so off it will stay.

I have a crank now and it should start pretty easy, just like a Lister. The ring gear being gone makes it safer. I do not need an exposed "saw blade"

If I can find a gear at a reasonable price I'll put it back on though. Mostly just because it was there.

Bob

[rleonard]

It warmed up, humidity dropped, and the wind died down. Time for primer!





Bob

[dieseladdicted]

As usual, top notch work Bob Thanks for posting it.

[GeneratorGus]

Glad I stop to take a look, I thought this was just a parts search.
Nice work.

[rleonard]

I was able to make it green today!





I'm looking forward to final assembly.

Bob

[rleonard]

Been in somewhat of a lull here. My fuel injector is still out and I placed another call today on it.

I've beei training myself in Solidworks and have used this tool to design the carriage (or trolley for our friends in the UK).



Still a work in progress.

Bob

[Contaucreek]

Bob, dont forget spokes

[rleonard]

I am still having trouble getting spokes into the model. Polar arrays at angles. There will be spokes though. All the parts are machined and the first one is being welded.

Bob

[rleonard]

Wheels on

[K-Tron]

You may want to hit that new lower water flange you made with a needle scaler to make it look like cast iron. Otherwise, awesome work, I cant wait to see and hear it run.

Keep up the good work,

Chris

[rleonard]

I did a test assembly today. Now all apart for powder coating. I'll stain and urethane the wood next week. Sorting out the cooling system also.







Injector tips arrived from Peter. Thank you. Maybe I can make some noise with it this week!

Bob

[rleonard]

Had a rough go at it today. _The engine is a little tight from the fresh rings, honed cylinder, seals and bearings. _I can get it spinning but once I flip the compression release it will not go over compression. _Two of us gave it our best but it wore us out. _Also the engine is close to the floor on a couple of 6X6's _Crank center is low so you really have to bend over, decreasing our cranking torque. _Lastly, I fitted a Lister crank since this engine was missing the original one. _The compression stroke is on the upswing of the crank. _You cannot throw your weight into rolling it over at the toughest part.

So I have rigged a coupling to spin it with a tractor PTO. _Not done yet but all I need to do is finish up the "dog" that engages the keyway.

Carriage metal parts are at the powder coater. Back next week.

Bob

[rleonard]

Here is the rig to save my back. I spun it and a couple of revolutions later the Bamford sprung to life. It has been at least a dozen years since it ran last.







And finally...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT8OlInsO8Y

Run times were short since there is no cooling. It has freed up and I can now start it by hand.

Got stain on the oak frame



Bob