Time for the sludge traps.

[Peter.smith]

After much advice from fellow members I am going to check the sludge traps. As I don’t have a lot of information on the bike I think it needs to be done. Whilst I have the engine apart is there anything else I should be looking at or replacing. As much info would be greatly appreciated. Is there any engineering firms around the northeast that people have used. I am not an engineer so some work will have to be outsourced. Thanks Peter Smith.

[dave.owen]

Ate you talking sq4

[Peter.smith]

Hi sorry , bike is 1953 sq4. Thanks.

[robjameson]

While the engine is down it makes sense to replace the conrods, and the big end shells at the same time. Conrods are available from iron horse spares (google them) and shells available from Draganfly or the owners club if you are a member.

Check the condition of the timing side mains and replace if necessary, as well as the drive side rollers and camshaft ball bearing.

Then it’s just a case of pistons, liners, valves and valve guides which are all subject to inspect and replace if beyond service limit.

You may wish to consider the sale of a well functioning body part to fund this!

[dave.owen]

Also check the camshaft isn't bent , and put a morgo oil pump on

[paul.jameson]

Fit "Otto" head gaskets when you put it back together.

[nevhunter]

Id carefully check the interference fit of the gears on the drive side of the engine. IF they come loose you'll hear about it. Nev

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Dear Peter, looks like your first job is to check your Bank balance.

succes.

[paul.jameson]

You may well be right in that suggestion Vincent but do try not to put the poor chap off restoring his bike !

[will_curry]

With any luck some if not all of the expensive stuff may have been done
already by a previous owner . . .

A Morgo pump is pretty obvious but I'm not so sure about club conrods.
I think the original Ariel rods have the nuts on 'top' that is they are visible
once the cylinder is removed. The club rods have the nuts on the
'bottom' so the only way to change them is to part the cranckcases.

The Ariel gear pumps suffer from distortion of the body and replacement
is a good idea. The original Ariel conrods are not the most robust and if one
lets go the engine will be wrecked. Otto head gaskets pretty much solve
the problem with blown head gaskets.