Noriel 4 - oil pipes and layout . what goes where ?

[NorielTimKenney]

So all, my very first post on the site, hello,. and please be nice to me!

Question1 :
Have I got the longest rebuild in living memory?
I acquired my swinging arm Noriel in 1984 - a basket case in the back of a shed (you know the story).
Before you all shout at me.. I didn't put this hybrid together, that luxury went to a former owner who probably blew up his Norton 88 engine and crashed the Ariel 4G Mk2 and wrote off the frame.

Extending a Wide-line frame by but-jointing 4 pieces of pipe into the top and bottom frame members was probably not the most structurally robust solution, nor was running an old piece of fridge as an oil cooler, but hey it probably got him to work.
Having stuffed it into the back of a Moggy Thou in 1960..it lay abandoned in the back of a workshop for the next 24 years.

I'm not an engineer, but over the last 41 years Its been the subject of a great deal of expenditure, it's survived two marriages, 5 house moves, two kids (now grown up) and FINALLY I have time and energy and am working on the last re-assembly. its my New Years resolution I intend to keep .

It does feel a bit like Triggers Broom, but we b*gger on ..


Over the years I've spent far too much money (don't we all ?), but sadly I wasn't party to the last rip apart 3 years ago before the frame was sent away for final re-painting, so rebuilding it has involved quite a lot of trial and error, and of course managing two sets of bike Marques information to boot.

I now have the engine gearbox and clutch assembly back together and squeezed back into the frame, now for the front suspension and refitting wheels. (Grimeca front Brake and Yamaha twin levers). I Know..... but hey, the Healey Brothers went here before me right?? this should be pretty straightforward (famous last words)

The upgraded 12v electrics and modern battery and ignition will all fit into place once I remake all the shocking bullet connectors that the blind builder before me did, but the configuration of the oil pipes (including a T160 Trident Oil Cooler and an oil filter from a Citroen) has left me a bit stumped as to what goes where on engine and gearbox.. (and Yes I've fitted a Morgo Oil Pump) . Oh and Some photos of where I'm up to are attached.

So that leads me onto .

Question 2:

Do any of you wonderful Sq 4 owners have a sketch or anything I can use to correctly plumb up the beast, bearing in mind I need to rig up the oil cooler and oil filter into the same system. I really would be terribly grateful

Q 3:
Received wisdom from Draganfly seems to be a mongrade SAE 30 or 40 .....any thoughts?

Thanks in anticipation of any constructive help ..

Cheers
Tim from Chester

[paul.jameson]

Hello Tim and welcome to the Forum. I will answer your questions as best I can.

Q1 Is this the longest rebuild in living memory? No. I have a 1936 Ariel LG250 which the previous owner bought in May 1977. I acquired it in January 2022, after his death. He had the frame and forks straightened in 1978 and painted "in primer alone" which was how it was when I bought the bike. It is probably a couple of years away from being ridden once more.

Q2 How to plumb up the oil pipes? The feed to the engine goes into the inner pipe on the junction block which bolts onto the engine. Connect the outer pipe from the block to the oil filter and then connect the return from the oil filter to the return of the oil tank. As the oil tank is of Norton origin, I have no idea which connection on it is feed and which is return. You will notice I have omitted the connections to the oil cooler. I have done considerable mileages on two Healey 1000/4 s which have shown that an oil cooler is not necessary and may in fact be harmful by not letting the oil get warm enough. I once rode into Krakow in Poland with a roadside display showing a temperature of 36.5 degrees C, my wife on the pillion, 3 weeks worth of luggage in the panniers and the oil cooler disconnected. I will admit to stopping the engine whilst the lights changed but I had no overheating problems; hence why the oil cooler on my current Healey has pipes on it for show, but all the cooler does is to hold the petrol tank on. Healeys wisely fitted an oil thermostat to their bikes but it was an exceptional day indeed if the thermostat directed oil through the cooler.

Q3 What oil? I have used Morris Oils SAE 30 or 40 successfully, along with a variety of multigrades. I did have a problem with multigrade a couple of years ago so the recommended multigrade now is Motul 3000 4T 20W-50. If you want details of the problem I had, see viewtopic.php?t=13595

[Roger Gwynn]

I agree with all that Paul says but you have misinterpreted something about oil and Draganfly who have always recommended a multigrade for any shell bearing engine, it's cheaper and gets around the engine faster than a monograde when cold and this is when most of the wear takes place as the oil has been squeezed out of the bushes whilst not running.

[NorielTimKenney]

thanks both.. I'll try and get cracking this weekend,
Think I'll go with the oil cooler , but do intend to fit an oil pressure guage anyway. because I already have one.. . the oil temp gauge is another awesome addition..
and :

Ive read your breakdown post Paul, thanks for the heads up.. Motul 3000 4T 20W-50.it is then!