Bristol Engines

[Bellerophon]

If one was thinking about producing a new block and head one should
consider the weak points of the existing design and if it would be possible to
improve on this without building a complete new engine.
One point to think about is the amount of land between the bores especially
between number five and six cylinders.(a hot area) If Bob Gerard removed
the liners to increase the size of the engine it would have made the
reliability a serious factor. Percy Kemish (responsible for the racing engines)
told me the head sealing to the block gave them a problem with the racing
engines although he did find a way to make the engines last the length of a
race but this was always at the back of this mind.
Food for thought.
Bellerophon

[Geoff Kingston]

Geoff
We don't really have to do the imagining on the 2.5Litre engine because Peter Jaye of Jaye engineering is already producing new cylinder heads and tells me that another very well known and well respected firm is or are about to produce new blocks for a 2.5 litre. version of the engine, which his heads will fit with, if memory serves me right, he said minor modifications.
As to second hand engines these are neither as plentiful and certainly nowhere as cheap as the were years ago and while blocks and heads can be repaired and built up it does not get over the fact that the original casting are 50 to 60 years old
and if nothing else weakened by years of use and probable corrosion of waterways etc.
I don't see that producing. a replica engine or even the major parts to build one ether in standard or modified form for cars of the age is a waste of any ones time or effort. If you look at specialists supporting the Rolls Royce and Bentley market the practise is both widespread and well established. and for those of us who like to use. there cars frequently and enjoy their performance to the full the knowledge that people are making these parts, some to a better design that the original components and more able to stand up to modern road conditions is a great comfort.
Geoff.

[UK6]

Borgward Hansa 6cyl 2400 anyone? -see attached.

.....sadly, these well made machines are rarer than Bristols!
Perhaps our German friends can elaborate.
I believe that these engines developed approx 100 bhp in their final production form.

Brett

ps The enterprising owner of the attached car is running his machine on gas!