Ariel 4F SQ4 plunger oil pump
-
camstevens
- Holder of a Nylon Anorak

- Posts: 281
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 5:01 pm
- Location: Kew, London
- Contact:
Ariel 4F SQ4 plunger oil pump
Hi All
Long shot, but I was hoping someone may have a pump of the same pattern as used on my 4F, from which I'm looking for the plunger length.
My pump has been refurbished and picks up just fine when stroked by hand, but will not lift/pump when run in a mock-up using electric drill to drive the eccentric shaft.
The pump has been resleeved a new plunger made using the original damaged plunger as a pattern. My suspicion is that the original plunger was also made as a replacement (looks like it) and is slightly too long and not drawing past the inlet far enough; the pump lifts fine when I stroke it by hand a little further than the eccentric displacement, hence my thought on plunger length. Non return ball seems to be seated well and holding suction.
Cam
Long shot, but I was hoping someone may have a pump of the same pattern as used on my 4F, from which I'm looking for the plunger length.
My pump has been refurbished and picks up just fine when stroked by hand, but will not lift/pump when run in a mock-up using electric drill to drive the eccentric shaft.
The pump has been resleeved a new plunger made using the original damaged plunger as a pattern. My suspicion is that the original plunger was also made as a replacement (looks like it) and is slightly too long and not drawing past the inlet far enough; the pump lifts fine when I stroke it by hand a little further than the eccentric displacement, hence my thought on plunger length. Non return ball seems to be seated well and holding suction.
Cam
- Roger Gwynn
- Holder of a Golden Anorak

- Posts: 2142
- Joined: Tue May 28, 2013 11:34 am
- Location: Norwich, UK
- Contact:
Re: Ariel 4F SQ4 plunger oil pump
ohv 4F I assume rather than ohc. I have dims for the ohv one
Roger Gwynn, caretaker of the club's works drawings and machine register, membership secretary 2015-26. Director of AOMCC, Draganfly Motorcycles, Craven Equipment and Supreme Motorcycles mostly retired. (roger@arielownersmcc.com)
- paul.jameson
- Holder of a Golden Anorak

- Posts: 3211
- Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:04 pm
- Location: Herefordshire
- Contact:
Re: Ariel 4F SQ4 plunger oil pump
I do own such a pump but it is on loan to a fellow AOMCC member who is having problems with the pump in his engine. I will alert him to your post.
Paul
Paul
Paul Jameson
34 OHC 4F 600 (project), 35 LG 250, 37 RH500, 52 ex ISDT KHA, 54 KH(A), 75 Healey 1000/4.
Former Machine Registrar & Archivist, General Secretary and Single Spares Organiser (over a 25 year period).
Now Archivist (but not Machine Registrar), Gauges and Clocks Spares Organiser.
34 OHC 4F 600 (project), 35 LG 250, 37 RH500, 52 ex ISDT KHA, 54 KH(A), 75 Healey 1000/4.
Former Machine Registrar & Archivist, General Secretary and Single Spares Organiser (over a 25 year period).
Now Archivist (but not Machine Registrar), Gauges and Clocks Spares Organiser.
-
camstevens
- Holder of a Nylon Anorak

- Posts: 281
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 5:01 pm
- Location: Kew, London
- Contact:
Re: Ariel 4F SQ4 plunger oil pump
Hi RogerRoger Gwynn wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 2:18 pm ohv 4F I assume rather than ohc. I have dims for the ohv one
No, 1936 OHC, with plunger unit. I think the earlier OHC's had gear pumps?
Cam
-
camstevens
- Holder of a Nylon Anorak

- Posts: 281
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 5:01 pm
- Location: Kew, London
- Contact:
Re: Ariel 4F SQ4 plunger oil pump
Hi Paulpaul.jameson wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 2:41 pm I do own such a pump but it is on loan to a fellow AOMCC member who is having problems with the pump in his engine. I will alert him to your post.
Paul
Thank you! That would be fantastic if your friend could give the plunger dimension (for clarity, it is a 1936 OHC).
It also just came to mind that the pump bore has just been re-sleeved, so it is possible the suction hole entering the pump bore is either too small, or possibly positioned slightly incorrectly.
Regards
Cam
-
camstevens
- Holder of a Nylon Anorak

- Posts: 281
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 5:01 pm
- Location: Kew, London
- Contact:
Re: Ariel 4F SQ4 plunger oil pump
Apologies...1935 4F OHCcamstevens wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 4:18 pmHi Paulpaul.jameson wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 2:41 pm I do own such a pump but it is on loan to a fellow AOMCC member who is having problems with the pump in his engine. I will alert him to your post.
Paul
Thank you! That would be fantastic if your friend could give the plunger dimension (for clarity, it is a 1936 OHC).
It also just came to mind that the pump bore has just been re-sleeved, so it is possible the suction hole entering the pump bore is either too small, or possibly positioned slightly incorrectly.
Regards
Cam
-
camstevens
- Holder of a Nylon Anorak

- Posts: 281
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 5:01 pm
- Location: Kew, London
- Contact:
Re: Ariel 4F SQ4 plunger oil pump
Apologies...1935 4F OHCRoger Gwynn wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 2:18 pm ohv 4F I assume rather than ohc. I have dims for the ohv one
- Roger Gwynn
- Holder of a Golden Anorak

- Posts: 2142
- Joined: Tue May 28, 2013 11:34 am
- Location: Norwich, UK
- Contact:
Re: Ariel 4F SQ4 plunger oil pump
Correct a gear pump was fitted to the 1931-32 SQ4, a single plunger pump to the 1933-36 models then a twin plunger pump 1937-52 and back to a gear pump for 1953-58. Usually 4F means cammy but in the inimitable Ariel style there was another 4F in 1937 and 1939, which was a 600cc ohv. The 'F' indicates the status or trim in car speak and means 'Standard' as opposed to 'G' for de-luxe and 'H' for Hunter. I leave it to you to work out what the '4' means!
Roger Gwynn, caretaker of the club's works drawings and machine register, membership secretary 2015-26. Director of AOMCC, Draganfly Motorcycles, Craven Equipment and Supreme Motorcycles mostly retired. (roger@arielownersmcc.com)
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: simon.holyfield and 3 guests
