Renault 1929 RY1 Monasix

6 minute(s) of a 217 minute read

Damm! I really cannot help myself.

While I am waiting impatiently for my friends a Crankshaft Rebuilders to organise some valve guides AND after looking at the remains of the original combined inlet and exhaust manifold I thought that I could build a tubular manifold that would do the job better. First thing was to go to my personal "steel store" and obtain a length of 6mm (1/4 inch) plate. With this on the bench the next task was to cut a heavy brown paper pattern from the spare block. This could then be stuck down on the strip of steel. After drilling 1/4 inch pilot holes the main 32mm (1 1/4 in) holes could be cut using a bi-metal hole saw in my drill press. Using some cutting oil to keep the cut cool and well lubricated.

The second photograph shows the almost finished (520mm X 80mm) plate.

OK some of the bright eyed among you will at once say "The silly bugger has messed it up. One end hole is out of line!" Not so that is exactly as Louis Renault intended. Why? I do not know but on both cylinder blocks the (exhaust) port nearest to the bulkhead is set lower than the other four. Now I have you really jumping. This a six cylinder engine but you can only count five exhaust ports. That is exactly as the good Louis intended. In the same way as he has only allowed four inlet ports to feed six cylinders.

Please do not ask me, I am just the worker and it is too late now, by about 71 years, to ask Louis Renault.

For all those people still puzzled by my steel supply. This one is a length of scrap 6" X 3" X 1/4" structural steel salvaged from a building demolition site. This I am gradually using up, cutting out the required pieces of 6mm (1/4") plate using a thin cut off blade in my angle grinder.

Bj.

Now always assuming that you are wide awake here (below) is a photo of the porting arrangement from the 1929 Renault Monasix hand book,You will note that the end (Furthest from camera)exhaust port is on the same plane as the four inlet ports, the other four exhaust ports are higher.

Looking from left to right (front to rear) the porting arrangement is

1. Exhaust, serving #1 cylinder.

2. Inlet, serving # 1 & 2 cylinders.

3. Exhaust, serving #2 cylinder.

4. Inlet, serving #3 cylinder.

5. Exhaust, serving #3 & 4 cylinders.

6. Inlet, serving #4 cylinder.

7. Exhaust, serving #5 cylinder.

8. Inlet, serving #5 & 6 cylinders

9. Exhaust, serving #6 cylinder.

The owners handbook shows the order of valves as follows, EI IE IE EI EI IE. It then goes on to explain the order of adjusting the tappets as:-

"Turn the engine until the first valve is down, check clearance then turn the engine to the ninth valve then the sixth, twelth, fourth, seventh, changing to the inlet valves starting with the second valve then tenth, fifth, eleventh, third and finally eighth It

The firing order for anybody who is not totally confused by now is 1, 5, 3, 6, 2, 4.

Anybody who is not completely insane before buying a 1929 Renault Monasix need not worry. Even after a comparitively short period of ownership and they will definitely be certifiable!

Bj.

3-10-2016

Very reluctantly, as it has become abundantly clear that I can NEVER obtain the necessary parts to finish my Renault RY1, I will attempt to sell at least some of the parts. I have five wheels all with new (well-based) 18 inch rims and five as new 18 in tyres. A complete set of instruments including both MPH and KPH speedos, 5 new Depanoto chrome hub caps, 20 new chrome wheel nuts, 12 RH and 8 LH. 2 new Depanoto Tail lights, a pair of original (unrestored) headlamps including ORIGINAL glass ( with Renault Lozonge in centre). 2 x New Depanoto, brake and clutch rubber pedal covers. Five spoke steering wheel in fair/good condition, NN gearbox in "as bought from France" condition. 12 new valves and valve guides (require some machining) Brake drums and shoes, 2 x Clutch to suit RY including new Depanoto friction linings, NN Cone clutch needs re-lining) 2 X bonnet badges 1 Round Brass, 1 Diamond Aluminium, 2 Monasix motors (Dismantled) 1X RY1 with rare 44 mm BE Crank and conrods. 2 X camshafts and sets of valve lifters (Tappets) RY1 centre cross member with brake compensation/balance mechanism. 2 X sumps, 2 x timing case RY1 Rear axle assembly (heavy). I also have a 4 cylinder 950cc (NN) engine, 4 cylinder SEV Magneto, and a bronze Solex side draft, barrel throttle carburettor. There is a collection of hand books in both French and English, etc and a cd disc containing approximately 1000 photographs of Veteran & Vintage Renaults. Gear change and Hand brake levers. There is also a new steel tube frame, aluminium panelled Boat tail two seater body to suit a RY chassis and a brass Vee windscreen frame. There is a rust free RY Monasix steel front bonnet (very heavy) and a Monasix four piece radiator, chassis, springs etc. Lastly there are two X Dynastart, one fully re-wound/rebuilt at VAST expense by a Swiss specialist and in as NEW condition including NEW control-box/cut-out. The other in good working condition complete with control-box etc.

All parts are negotiable, anything not sold will be cut up and go to scrap metal.

Currently I stand to loose approximately UK£20,000. I have attempted for some months to sell the car as a stalled restoration project on the Pre-war-car web-site for as little as UK£3,500 . It was actually offered at one time for "Best offer over UK£1. without receiving a single genuine enquiry.

I doubt that there is even one person alive who will mourn the passing of what must be one of just a handful of 1929 RY1 Monasix Renaults left anywhere in the world.

Bernie Jacobson

Merde!

3-15-2016

The Renault has been sold.

Thank you for all your interest and support.

Bernie j.

While I am still waiting to tick all the boxes and finish packing up all the Renault stuff IF you go all the way back to page one you will see some mention of early 1920s Rovers. Now you will just have to hold your breath. It would be nice to be able to rurn back the clock but unfortunately that is just not possible.

Meanwhile for those who occasionally look at my "other thread" I am slowly dismantling it at the request of an early Saxon man!

Bj.