Modestine

[Dilambdaman]

Ummm... 10 miles to the gallon if I'm lucky! 

Robin.

[Dilambdaman]

Dynamo Update.

Not good news. The field windings need re-newing although the armature looks OK and will be cleaned up, dipped in varnish and put on a test rig to ensure that it performs under load. The cutout/voltage regulator needs re-winding and new contacts. The wire needed is very thin and unobtainable, the contacts are beyond repair and also not available. So, it looks as though a modern replacement will have to be obtained and the windings re-wound to suit the dynamo. The replacement will be sighted out of sight and the original, which is mounted on top of the dynamo, removed leaving the cover in place to retain an appearance of originality.

It's a shame when OE can't be retained but I'm not a stickler for complete originality, especially if the modification is not obvious. For me reliability is king!

Apart from the dynamo Modestine is in rude health and for once I'm enjoying lots of summer motoring in her.

Robin.

[JohnMillham]

Why not use a modern Bosch regulator? They look very similar to the old version and are still obtainable as fitted to VWs, I believe. They are now made in Brazil. I use them on both of my Lancias and have had no trouble with them. Regards, John.

[Dilambdaman]

Thanks John, I'll put that sugestion to Rockhall Auto Electricals.

Robin.

[Dilambdaman]

Oil Pressure.

One of the difficulties highlighted by the more than fair share of disappearing oil pressure with Modestine in the past is that the gauge isn't calibrated in increments instantly recognisable. See Photo.

So, removed the gauge from the car and hitched it up to a foot pump and now I know that 1 on the scale is 20psi, 2 40psi and 3 60psi. what the 30 at the top of the scale is I don't know.

At cold start 3 is indicated. When hot and at 40mph 2, 30mph 1 and around .5 at tick over.

So, all would seem to be OK but it is nice to know!

Anyone come across a similar gauge?

Robin.

[DavidLaver]

Perhaps the 30 needs to be replaced with £££

David

[JohnMillham]

The normal Lambda gauge which came with my car is also calibrated 1...2...3....30 and states below "kilogrammes". Could it mean kg/sqare cm?
 Regards, John

[Dilambdaman]

The normal Lambda gauge which came with my car is also calibrated 1...2...3....30 and states below "kilogrammes". Could it mean kg/sqare cm?
 Regards, John

We did wonder if it might be but 1kg/cm is 14.2psi and unless the foot pump gauge is way out it seems a bit on the low side.

Robin.

[fay66]

The normal Lambda gauge which came with my car is also calibrated 1...2...3....30 and states below "kilogrammes". Could it mean kg/sqare cm?
 Regards, John

We did wonder if it might be but 1kg/cm is 14.2psi and unless the foot pump gauge is way out it seems a bit on the low side.

Robin.

Robin,
Have you ever known a gauge on a footpump to be accurate?
Brian
8227

[johnturner]

I think you will find that each interval is 1 bar or, as John suggests about 1 kg/cm sq or about 14.5 p.s.i.   The gauge on my 7th Lambda and I think all earlier cars is calibrated in 'metri d'acqua' (which if you know the cylinder head gasket is very appropriate). Ten metri d'acqua are the same as one bar though I always find running at ten whatevertheyare in the Lambda more reassuring than running at one whateveritis in the Augusta. 

John

[Dilambdaman]

Thanks John, looks as though I need to use a more accurate test method for my gauge. Maybe one day I'll rid myself of this paranoia over oil pressure. 

[fay66]

Thanks John, looks as though I need to use a more accurate test method for my gauge. Maybe one day I'll rid myself of this paranoia over oil pressure. 

Justifiable under the circumstances!

Brian
8227

[neil-yaj396]

Robin

For what my opinion is worth I would say that the fact that you get a fairly thumping pressure on a cold start would indicate that all is OK. The drop off as the engine heats up could be more down to the grade of the oil? An old mechanic friend of mine used to say that a glimmering oil warning light at the end of a long run on a hot day was never something to worry about.

[davidwheeler]

My Lambdas run at similar oil pressures and I think that that is OK as they both have immaculate bottom ends and rebuilt oil pumps.  I use 10/40 semi-synthetic oil with modern filters.  Good oil flow is important as at least half the function of the oil is cooling so I am not convinced that putting thick (more viscous) oil in to raise the pressure is a good idea as it will reduce the flow through the bearing.  The modern oils have much better lubrication properties than 30 grade mineral oil.  I recall that my Rover SD1 V8 ran at a design pressure of 30psi which is only 2 bar and that was a much more stressed engine than a Lambda.  The Book of Words on the Lambda states that a pressure of less than 1(bar) at full speed is worthy of investigation.  Stop worrying, if you know the bearings and pump are OK then all is well.

On the other hand, I had an Aprilia with excellent oil pressure and a run big end.  The rattling was terriffic.

David

[Dilambdaman]

The dynamo arrived back 1st September, just as I went on holiday to France and I've only just got round to re-fitting it.

It now has a Lucas cut out and regulator hidden away to replace the burnt out unit which sits on top of the dynamo. The wiring diagram sent by the repairers was not compatible with the Dilambda circuitry but once again Morris Parry came to the rescue.

So, to the naked eye all appears to be as original, the bonus being that we now have a completely overhauled dynamo poking out the required 10 amps.

Bill Hearsum (one of the 'old school') of Rockhall Auto Electrics did a first rate job with a fast turn round. He even went as far as to rewind the coils in the cut out to suit the dynamo. However, it wasn't cheap!

Rockhall Auto Electrics, Valley Road, Hayfield, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK2 22LP.  01663 742539

Robin.