Lagonda Rapiers

3 minute(s) of a 484 minute read

Hello John 

Everything will be given some close inspection before and during re-assembly

The tops of the existing pistons all had ceramic coating while the skirts had been treated with a teflon coating. My engine man tells me that the bearings are all OK to go back in, perhaps because of my policy of only using Penrite HPR 30 engine oil and changing it every 1,000 miles, at the same time changing the modern screw on type oil-filter. Re the carbon on the piston skirts, I am not sure but I think that it is a little more than usual. Looking back through my records The motor had a major rebuild in 1996 and a "freshen-up" (piston rings and big-end and main bearings in 2003. It has done quite a few (hard) miles since, including three visits to Europe.

I replaced the timing chains (3) and tensioner blades about six months ago. I have all the valves out of the head and will give them a light grind to tidy up the faces and seats. The head has all hardened inserts fitted some time ago. For a 1500cc motor, the head has quite large valves, the inlets are  1 9/16 inch diameter. Generously proportioned double valve springs mean that there is no likelyhod of valve bounce. Inlet valve seats run right to the edge of the combustion chamber. Inlet ports are free of any obstructions. For comparison the spanner is to fit a 5/16in across the flats nut. Please note the combustion chambers and ports have yet to receive their final clean & polish, remember this is a "production" (albeit very limited)  12HP "sports touring car" engine first made in 1934.

You also should also remember that Tim Ashcroft, the Rapier designer's, brief was " Produce the Best Light Car in the World".  The other thing to remember is that this car was owned, driven and ultimately raced in the 1940s-50s by the then head carburation specialist at the English Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, Beatrice Shilling.  Her life is the subject of a little book "Negative Gravity", it makes interesting reading if you can find a copy. IBSN 0-9546165-0-2. It is available secondhand but be warned it is not being sold at "giveaway  prices".

Bj