Saving Old Seagulls

Hello,
Looking for a Britannia Motor, the flat twin two stroke. Why? A group of us are re-creating the Mk 8 cockle (4 man canoe) so are keen to get hold of the power unit. Non-runners or projects - we want 'em all to get at least one runner to function.

We are well on with the build but have drawn a blank for engines outside of museums.

Best prices paid (and a free ride in the finished canoe).

I do know of some one, but I think he has all good runners.
But with no location its hard to help you.

My location is the Lancashire/Yorkshire border but am willing to travel far and wide to secure an engine.

In any case a runner would save us lots of time. i'll post a photo of the project on here later.

I even have some old motors for swops if this helps sweeten the deal.

Monty

Here's what we're making - a 4 man self propelled canoe (by Britannia Power)...and here's how far we've got for our modern one. Next job to skin with plywood.

This is the model we're looking for ...

Sorry I can't help here Monty, but I like the project, please keep us posted with the progress. Good luck

Might as well watch things Brit' as they come up everynow and again down under..............

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... K:MEWAX:IT

I am still working on your cause.

Regards

B

this looks 50's to me Bruce, charles

Hooray - We have a Middy. Collected it yesterday and it seems complete. It's slightly different to our hearts desire in that it's from an airborne lifeboat (slightly different exhaust set up)but we can work around that.

Sadly it's locked up solid and doesn't want to free off.

Also having trouble getting the top off the flywheel.

Don't suppose anyone has a scan of a manual do they?

Nothing simple is there?

C

May or may-not help

http://me-wserver.mecheng.strath.ac.uk/ ... gneto.html#

Really struggling to get the engine freed off. Everything else is apart and in pretty good shape but can't get the cylinders off. The inside of the cylinders seems ok when looked at with a endoscope so the rings must be seized. Probably with 50 year old oil if the rest of the engine is anything to go by. Got the heads as far as the end of the studs (but not quite off). In any case want to resist twisting the cylinders for fear of distorting the con rods. i can see the alloy pistons through the exhaust port but the rings are above this.

So far:

Liberal application of penetrating oil.
Heated with oxy and percussion with a copper hammer
Soaking in diesel for a fortnight
Putting on a set of screw pullers.

Next idea is to make up a 22mm hydraulic fitting into the spark plug hole then use a portapack pump to force off the cylinders.

As you can see - getting desperate now.

Any thoughts?????

As long as rings/pistons above exhaust ports fill cylinders completely with engine oil, with no air spaces replace spark plug, refix cylinders, mark flywheel position & gently warm both cylinders over the course of 10 mins with blow lamp up to circa 100 c.

Mark on flywheel will show if pistons move, failing that you will get some hot oil down the side of the pistons/rings, if pistons move then rock backwards & forwards until free, after draining oil.

Here's the little waister, undergoing a spot of Yorkshire Traction (an in joke for Bus Lovers - which I am not!)