Stuart uncovered after 35 years or so

On continuing on with my workshop tidy-up I uncovered a coupe of Stuart engines, one I managed to lift out the other is on a plinth with a direct drive 50volt dynamo (too heavy to move at the moment) at least I think its a 50volt dynamo if my memory serves me correctly.
The Stuart I did manage to extract has the mag drive chain cover missing.
A question I have is how were these spun up for starting? was a rope used or a starting handle?  
I have only had a very quick look at the extracted engine, it does turn over OK but it's got no compression I'm hoping that's due to stuck piston rings but that's possibly wishful thinking.
I might have a go at restoring the engine that I managed to dig out but it will be a good while before I get round to it.

These were started from the generator end with a handle as a back up for the electric start.
Nice original example, I made a side plate up for one I had in College, it was also missing the governor so I made an electronic one using them magneto as a cycle counter.

chuffchuff wrote:
A question I have is how were these spun up for starting? was a rope used or a starting handle?  

Sometimes a backup rope start.

Garak wrote:

chuffchuff wrote:
A question I have is how were these spun up for starting? was a rope used or a starting handle?  

Sometimes a backup rope start.

R3 was different to the P4, R3 has the flywheels outboard and driven from the governor end, where as the P4 has the flywheel inboard and no means to start from the governor end (Unless it was a P5LY with the extended crankshaft). P4 generator sets are normally started from the generator end via hook and crook starting handle, R2/3 tend to be rope start from the flywheel.

My old one which Phil Sheppard sorted out and is now owned by my uncle.

Lovely little set!

Alan

Thanks fellows for the photo and video of the two cracking Stuart plants.
I'll need to dig out the Stuart with the generator, it's currently in a place I can't get a good look at it however it does look very much like the P4 500watt as shown in the video unfortunately there is no control box with it though.
Is the P4 500watt a 50 volt generator?

Hi Fellows,
I was wondering what type of main bearings my engine would be fitted with? also wondering what type of main bearing seals are used?
Having raced two strokes in the past I'm aware that they need to have efficient main bearing seals so I'm wondering if I'll need to strip the engine to replace them after the engine having sat unused for so many years . I don't want to strip the engine needlessly.
Another question:- How is the governor and timing chain lubricated?

Standard roller mains, easily obtainable.
Seals changed overs the years, they tend to be ok, early one usually snap on removal if your unlucky.

Timing casing holds its own oil, early ones had a sight well to just view the oil was at the right level, later had a dip stick.

Thanks Steve,
I guess my one must have had the sight glass on the missing timing case cover as there is no dip stick.
I don't suppose you know of a timing cover for me?
I could make a timing cover up ok and instead of a sight glass I  suppose I could simply put a oil level plug.
I guess there is very little oil used in the case?
Any chance you would have a photo of a timing cover with the sight glass that you could post here so that I can see where the oil level should be. Many thanks.

No glass, just a well with a lid. There is only a dribble of oil in them. IIRC there is a bit of rectangle'ish metal which is part of the governor which flings oil around.
Sadly I don't have any spares now

Ah-ha that's great, thanks the photo explains everything. I see there is a wee breather vent in the cover there as well.
Today I made a paper pattern for the cover, I'm thinking I'll make a cover out of 3mm plate, should do the job ok, I'll weld-in a  boss for a oil level NPT or BSPT plug. I see I'm also missing the lower mounting plinth  but I guess I can get bye without that.
I guess Stuart timing covers will be like the proverbial rocking horse you know what
I'm juggling a few different projects at the moment so it may be a while before I get round to getting the Stuart ready for a fire up, looking forward to it though.

Made up a timing chain case cover today. I'll probably drill breather or vent holes in the brass plug.

Really nice that.

Thanks Steve.  Could you tell me please how far from the lowest point of the  external casing the correct oil level would be?    as I'll need to make up a dipstick to fix to the filer plug. Thanks again.

I filled mine up to about 1/4" under the lip. I think it just need enough oil to coat the chain and get flung towards the governor.

Thanks Steve, that's what I thought.  

I had the mag off and overhauled yesterday as no spark, turns out that the armature earth carbon brush spring was missing, all cleaned-up and sorted now and back together.
I applied a ring of silicon sealant to seal the mag to the chain-case I guess there may have been a felt sealing ring originally or possibly nothing at all
I'll need to make up an engine mounting frame/trolley so that I can mount the fuel tank and a radiator, that likely wont happen for a good while yet though as I've too many other project jobs on.