Lagonda Rapiers

3 minute(s) of a 484 minute read

This morning I made the long drive across town to the outer eastern industrial area of Dandenong, to take the four pistons to "Special Pistons" who made them originally in 1996, so they could make another set for me. After inspection they agreed that the original gudeon pins were showing such a neglible amount of wear and that they would be happy for them to be used again.  It must say something about my Lubrication policy and that with the Rapier sump (oil pan) holding 8 pints (imperial) of oil, the internals of the motor despite being asked to run to 5,500-6,000 rpm in moments of anguish are generally well looked after. The gudgeon pins are exactly the same size as used by the 4.2 litre Jaguar XJ6 engine, so the saftey margin is more than sufficient.

Fate has decreed that I am not that lucky. I have now ordered a set of four pistons.

These cost Aust $220 the set of four in 1996. Todays price I imagine will be about the same, EACH.

Bj.

12-16-2016

Hello John

What Mr Fate did was to cause detonation damage to two of the pistons with some signs of it on the other two. This is one of the hazzards of going off the beaten track and buying fuel at remote places where they may only have the one pump, what ever comes out of the hose is what you get. Our Rapier engine is really set up to run on 100 octane. In Europe almost every Shell service station has at least one pump dispensing 100 octane petrol. Most of the local service stations have all three grades of petrol, 91, 95 and 98/100. Basically the "2003 Freshen-up" was to rectify similar but less severe fuel related damage. On that occasion we were much closer to home and we did not have a fast return trip down an Interstate, four lane, highway.  Normally we  maintain what ever the speed limit is or just over it on those trips. Between 100 and 115 Kph. (65-70+ mph) 90+ Mph is possible given the opportunity.

This engine has lasted since 1996 with European tours in 1996, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014, a bag full of Alpine Passes along with lots of competitive miles here at home.

The cylinder bores will be given a light go with the hone to break any glazing but not a full-on rebore.  For the freshen up in 2003 we used all over the counter replacement parts, Jaguar 4.2 Litre XJ6 Big-end and Isuzu Light truck Main Bearings, Honda Piston Rings and a Chev V8 rear oil-seal. All the relevant part numbers are recorded and I have full confidence in my friends at Crankshaft Rebuilders. They have been doing my engine work for as long as I can remember, probably longer. I can walk out into the 'shop and talk to the various operatives working on my jobs. I do my own 'final" assembly.

With the Christmas shut-down (our summer holidays) nothing much will happen until after the second week of January. I  can do a lot of cleaning and we go to my sister's place on the coast for a week or so for "New Year".  Also I have to sort out some spare Humber parts for a friend in the UK.

Bernie j.