[andyfrost]

Yes , all conventional Ewarts taps fitted to Villiers.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

700s are my great passion , personally I much prefer to keep them original , the weight distribution was nigh on perfect. I’ve never fitted a replacement engine , but a number of people have…. I just love the sound, power and ease of starting of the 28B engine. I have amassed a number of engine spares over the years which should keep my two going long after I’m about.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

It is a 350cc JAP , I have the same engine in an Emery rotavator , as posted earlier it should have an Amal carb(with choke incorporated in the slide) , not exactly a common engine by any means.Magneto should be Wico series A.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Grahame , firstly I respect your enthusiasm , and ideas. The mag tester I have access to does not rotate the mag , it tests whether the coil/condenser is functioning as it should , obviously if
either fail , they are replaced. After coming away from the test and all is good , then there is simply no need to rotary test. All larger dealers had these back in the day , but with the demise of standard magneto set-ups very few survive today , I would hazard a guess that exteremely few modern day dealers have one , or have even heard of one , I must add that it will not test the modern magnetron type coils.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Regarding the testing with a multimeter or a proper purpose built tester , with the purpose built tester you eliminate all the “probablies” or “maybes” , and get a concrete definate answer. It’s down to personal choice , mine based on lifetimes experience(well over 50yrs) is trusting 100% the purpose built tester.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

David , to be fair that isn’t the fault of the machine , if you start it up in gear these things will happen. My Father-in-law had an MG6 , with hydraulics , I fully rebuilt the engine for him , and it started extremely easy , and ran like a clock. The SA engine you have are first class , and if all is right will start and run lovely.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Grahame , there is no throttle linkage , the SA engine is ungoverned , just has a simple and reliable slide type carb.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

David , have tou tried Neil Jarret , if it’s the same float as in an MG2 , he may have one.Also looking again at your pics , I’m not overly convinced that it’s the correct needle

Andy.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by andyfrost.

[andyfrost]

David…….Knights , that’s a blast from the past , they used to do some of our boring work , but we mainly used Plumsteads , who really were a class act. “Sniffly” Plumstead had absolutely draw fulls od mixed rings , all labelled in inch increments , even he didn’t know what they fitted , wish I had them now!!

[andyfrost]

Grahame , interesting post , out of all the countless engines that have been built over the years , rings from some engines will fit others , it would be interesting to pool all our knowleddge onto a permanent topic on this site , one example that I stumbled across a few years back , Anzani Super Single outboard are the same as Shay120cc. Another from years back , Hillman Imp big end Shells will fit the single Cylinder Scammell fire pump engines. I suspect we would all be very surprised what crossing of rings could be achieved if only we knew , obviously with pistons , it’s far more limited.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Ransomes used Sturmey engines quite alot , the MG2 crawlers for example.Piston material…..well I think you’re trying to get too technical , remember many engines we play about with originally had cast iron pistons , but replacements such as hepolite etc. etc. went over to alloy , with no modification to any components. Just one of many examples is the Villiers 25C , originally cast iron , but replacements available in alloy with none of the issues you mention.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Dents in your float will make significant issues on running , engine appears to be Sturmey Archer.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Sorry David I can’t make alot of sense with that , there’s no way a 2A would rev to 4000 , it would simply blow up after VERY short time.Assuming you had both engines stripped out , did the ungoverned one have any sign of the internal govenor components.When correct they are one of the easiest starting engines , I’ve just finished one on a Howard Bulldog for a friend , starts first pull and runs like a clock.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

I’ve worked on quite a number of 2As , and have seen both types of camshaft , but have NEVER seen one without govenors , out of interest is the block machined to take the govenor shaft. I can’t envisage a 2A lasting very long at 4000RPM…… something doesn’t seem to add up here.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Grahame , Cox and Turner should be able to help you with SV54 rings.

Andy.

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