DippedHeadlights

Good points. I'll remove it and keep it as a spare.

I'm fitting a new SU fuel pump to the Herald. One option now is remove the original AC pump and fit a blanking plate but thinking is there any issue with leaving it there? Will be no fuel going through so it'll be pumping "dry" but with it there it would be easy to switch to it as a backup if the electric pump was to fail. Obviously the oil side of it will be fine. Only issue I can think of is the rubber diaphragm could fail if it's not being lubricated/cooled by fuel. Is that a known issue? If it is then I won't bother and will just remove it as having it as an emergency backup then finding when you need it it doesn't work is worse than having it not there at all!

Am I right in remembering someone made an improved version that is less likely to leak? From a different material? Been looking through my notes and I can't find any info.

Yes, I was surprised, here is a pic. Clearly new pistons (all bores the same) and rebored or at least honed. It's a GA 1147 so a bit more space than a 1296. Maybe 70 means something else?

I've got a later 1147 engine (GA210983) in my shed that was previously "fully rebuilt" Head is on so I can't measure bores but looking with an endoscope I see the bores nicely honed and new pistons with no markings on except the number 70. I assume that's 70 thou? Seems quite a lot? I've only seen up to 60 before. Or could they be American as I think 1147cc is 70 cubic inches

Right, I got my anorak on, out to the shed and went through my engines (and dipsticks). I think I've worked this out. All 1147 GA and GD engines have a dipstick 133mm from felt washer to full mark. The same dipstick is used on the early type block that doesn't have the little extension tube. (So casting must be at same height as tube top - not noticed that before). The same dipstick is also used in 1296 GE engines from Herald 13/60. That's the top dipstick in the pic Spitfire engines (FD) have a distance of 122mm so the oil level is 10mm higher as Pete noted above. I'm thinking that is to stop oil starvation when cornering? That's the middle dipstick in the pic. The odd one with a distance of 215mm from felt washer to full line I reckon came from a FWD 1300 Dolomite with a DH block that was here once. That had the diff in the sump so longer stick makes sense. Oil capacities in my books are all over the place. Most quote 8 pints for all but some say 7.5 for the Herald 13/60 and 7 pints for all the 1147 engines. The oil pumps and sumps are the same on all the GA, GD, GE and FD aren't they? So maybe Triumph intended slightly higher levels on the faster cars?

Here is a puzzle. I'm sure I've only ever had small crank 1147 and 1296 engines here, GA, GD, FD and GE. In my mixed up spares box today I find a dipstick, then another, then a third. All Triumph, all different lengths/oil levels. Any ideas? I'm pretty certain the one at the top came from a 1296 GE Herald, what about the others ? Were there block differences ? All the blocks I can easily reach have that 35mm long extension tube for the Dipstick but I think that wasn't on early 1147s? Is there any other way to work out the correct oil level ?!

Yes I might well look at them again in the future but thought I'd just report back my findings to tidy up the thread !

Quick update, gone off the idea and fitted a 70s recon Lucas (the later shorter sort without the access cover for the bushes, M35J) When I measured the current of the Powerlite it wasn't a lot less (about 85amps against 95amps for the Lucas) and when it came to speed it sounded quicker as it's a higher pitch but when you measure the speed it turns the flywheel it's no quicker than a good freshly rebuilt Lucas .

Found out the pic I posted above is a Powerlite unit, RAC801. Fits the Spitfire and it has a built in solenoid. It's lighter, 3kg instead of 4.5kg and there is a little bit more weight saving by not needing the Lucas solenoid. Motor itself is more powerful but less current. It's still inertia but on the other side of the flywheel so effectively starting from new. It's expensive but I'm told they do pop up occasionally on offer nearer £200. https://www.powerlite-units.com/starters/rac801.html Anyone using one? Any thoughts?

Yes, he has a few cars but I'm sure it's on a Spitfire. I will try and get some pics at some point and add them here.

I've got a note it was from Moto-Build racing who are down in Surrey - but don't know if they make them or just resell them.

Yes, thinking again, too difficult to bring from there to here but I wondered if it was UK origin. However I've now been reminded of this one which is a lot neater that a friend has been using so will probably go that route even though I think it's quite expensive.

Anyone recognise this as being available in the UK ? It's not a WOSP or Powerflex. I know a few people over there that are using them and all say good things, £130 is much cheaper than anything I've seen here.

I know, it's really difficult to make out, but actually is clearer in the photo than in real life! Is GKN as manufacturer a clue? The fourth and fifth digits don't look like 3 and 5 but if someone has a 212359 cam maybe they used an unusual font!?.. hang on, doh, I've got one. This is Stanpart not GKN and the number is stamped the other way around, but unlike the way computers do it the 3 is flat topped but still not sure ?