KH 500 Engine Rebuild

Singles, twins and fours.
Post Reply
Les Carter
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2022 8:18 am
Contact:

KH 500 Engine Rebuild

Post by Les Carter »

I have got my 1952 model KH 500 engine back from T & L Engineering who I found are great with old British engines. The block has been sleeved back to std bore, the head fitted with inserts and new guides, the crank ground and balanced with new shells, the crankcase lined bored for the new timing side bush. I have a few queries if anyone can help.
1 Are the barrels symmetrical? They seem to fit both ways round.
2 Does the oil pump have a gasket where it fits to the crankcase?
3 Shall I use the old con rod nuts which appear to be original or use the new ones from Drags part no SN-3 which don't appear to have any locking facility. Do I use Loctite on these?
4 Should the breather that holds the oil pump drive shaft in place pass air both ways? Mine does.
5 Should I use running in oil or just normal mineral 20/50, I intend fitting an external filter.
6 What sealant should I use for the crankcase halves?

I will be grateful for any help you can provide.

Les
Les Carter
1960 Arrow, 1951 KH500, 1935 VA, 1951 LE Velocette, 1957 BSA A10 with Monza Sidecar, 1954 BSA C11G, 1966 Norton ES2 Special, 1977 MZ TS250, 1999 Honda VFR 800, 1969 MG Midget.
will_curry
Holder of a Silver Anorak
Holder of a Silver Anorak
Posts: 959
Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2015 12:56 am
Contact:

Re: KH 500 Engine Rebuild

Post by will_curry »

There is a gasket listed - K65-48 - between pump and crankcase and
I'd expect there to be one in that circumstance.

Having rebored the cylinders the only reason for keeping them in the
original orientation is keeping the tappets with the original cam lobes.

I've always replaced big-end nuts and bolts. Ask Draganfly what they
recommend.

Running-in oil is exactly what you need.

I use 3-bond under those circumstances.

Hope this helps
User avatar
robjameson
Holder of a Silver Anorak
Holder of a Silver Anorak
Posts: 899
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:36 am
Location: Rolleston, Staffordshire
Contact:

Re: KH 500 Engine Rebuild

Post by robjameson »

1 - I believe so on the earlier bikes, but I have a memory that the name of the forge is cast on to the barrel flange and usually goes
To the rear

2 - yeah it should do

3 - unless you have castellated nuts with split pins I would always replace BEWARE there are two different thread types so you may need to order both variants and send the wrong ones back!

4 - yes, the ball bearing is for the spindle to spin on, not for providing a check valve for a timed breather

5 - running in oil and after 5-600 miles swap to straight 40 if using a filter

6 - second vote for threebond
Rob Jameson
AOMCC Member Number 4068
1957 Ariel VH
1954 Ariel KH
1948 Ariel 4G with 1920's Ariel Sidecar/Triumph Chassis
AOMCC Twin Spares Organiser
Mick D
Holder of a Waxed Cotton Anorak
Holder of a Waxed Cotton Anorak
Posts: 575
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 2:49 pm
Contact:

Re: KH 500 Engine Rebuild

Post by Mick D »

Hi Will / Rob

Which Three Bond product do you recommend please? (TB?????).

Regards Mick
User avatar
simon.holyfield
Holder of a Platinum Anorak
Holder of a Platinum Anorak
Posts: 4692
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:16 pm
Location: Norfolk
Contact:

Re: KH 500 Engine Rebuild

Post by simon.holyfield »

I use 1215 for most applications Mick.
cheers

Simes

'51 Square Four,
'58 Huntmaster,
'42 W/NG,
'30 Model A
https://ariel-square-four.blogspot.com
User avatar
admin
Holder of a Golden Anorak
Holder of a Golden Anorak
Posts: 1199
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:22 pm
Contact:

Re: KH 500 Engine Rebuild

Post by admin »

Les (and others)
There's an 'edit' function that can be used to modify posts (the 'pencil' button at left side to the row of button icons at the upper right of each post) - no need to re-post the entire text if you want to make changes.
(And there's also a 'delete' function - the X icon !)

(I've edited-in your point 6 to the original post and deleted the other two essentially duplicate posts.....)

SG

(PS I'm still quite happy with Wellseal...)
Les Carter
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2022 8:18 am
Contact:

Re: KH 500 Engine Rebuild

Post by Les Carter »

Thanks really sorry I am still learning

Les
Les Carter
1960 Arrow, 1951 KH500, 1935 VA, 1951 LE Velocette, 1957 BSA A10 with Monza Sidecar, 1954 BSA C11G, 1966 Norton ES2 Special, 1977 MZ TS250, 1999 Honda VFR 800, 1969 MG Midget.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 0 guests