flaminia

[Richard Fridd]

I am very interested to hear how useful you find this Richard.

Colourtune useful only at idle so far.
Mr Creasey prefers the larger type for better visibility on a flat four, but I find I can see better with the modern 14mm Colourtune  'windows' on my V6.
Made a column sightglass for float level today.
Also found the more professional looking item on a Datsun forum.
Richard

[FERGTS246]

Richard, Looks like it does the job.

On your fuel level sight glass device, what is the brass bit from?
Off-hand can you remember the thread size in the carb body hole?

Thanks

Chris

[Richard Fridd]

I have made another one now.
The drain hole plug also contains a jet for the accelerator pump I think, so that must not be damaged during modification.
 I have tapped a 1/8 BSP thread.
The brass bit is a union available at a plumbers I expect.
The drain tap is now abandonded in the next prototype, as it represents a potential leak.
This device is good for checking fuel level, a marker for which is now on the outside of the fuel bowl in white paint.
The engine will not run properly as the removed plug and jet are not in use.
Regardless of all other float setting information we are measuring the actual fuel level now.

My current design can be used with the engine running.
I have silver-soldered a connector to the original plug and drilled a hole through both.

To test the level turn on an electric fuel pump. I have used gasket paper between the body and lid to adjust the level.

To test the fuel inlet valve, turn on an electric fuel pump.
In my case the fuel rose to the expected level, then slowly rose further, indicating fuel leaking -by. Reducing fuel pressure with the pressure regulator from 3.1psi to 2.8 psi seems to have cured this at the moment.

Now run the engine, and the level can be observed at various rpm.

Now that I don't have a drain plug, l use a syringe down the tube to drain the bowl before removing the device.

My next version will incorporate a purpose made sight glass is used in the HVAC industry. Just waiting for the correct 90 degree connector

[Richard Fridd]

Apart from float level, my other job today was to attend to a noisey tappet. This turned out to be another bent pushrod.  No1 inlet.
I blamed the previous bent pushrod No5 inlet on the broken valve spring.
No problem, one spare pushrod left on the shelf. Pushrod fitted but no tappet clearance. Removed replacement pushrod to find it is longer than the original. So borrowed another from my spare engine, which also turned out to be too long. I thought there might be a chance of swapping the rocker gear from the spare engine to match but the rocker arms are different lengths.
So straightened the original pushrod. The aluminium part of the longer pushrod could be shortened. Heads skimmed so should pushrods be shortened to suit?

Richard

[Richard Fridd]

The next incarnation. Bottom drain idea reinstated with internal thread for removable tap, with external thread for cap with copper seal.Vertical thread to accommodate sight glass.
Richard

[Richard Fridd]

Now installed with the sight glass.
Level OK, but lower with engine running.
I think I need a constant good level for a reasonable mixture.
Sealed with copper gaskets to avoid flexible gaskets deteriorating. Also a tiny hole in the top to avoid air lock affecting the sight glass level.
Richard

[DavidLaver]

...am now expecting a gopro mount.

[DavidLaver]

...or a cinecamera.

[Richard Fridd]

Level reasonable now with engine running, but only with 5psi fuel pressure measured in the engine bay and much reduced fuel return restrictor orifice.

As a precaution against the fuel level becoming too high and overflowing to somewhere it shouldn't, in the event of the inlet valve letting by, I have installed a fuel cut off switch to cut off the electic fuel pump if engine oil pressure drops below 12psi. For example if stalled.
This is overridden by a spring loaded return manual switch for priming, which has taken the place of the previous on/off switch.
Reassuring to hear the pump stop shortly after turning the ignition switch off as oil pressure falls, and not be concerned about leaving the pump on in error, or pump accidentally being switched on.
So the sight glass is very informative.

[Richard Fridd]

So fuel system improved so  no more work to do!
Just a tidy up around the coil.
But wait, the coil wire has shorted.
So now no power to various circuits. Fuse box ok. Auxiliary ammeter blown fuse replaced. So I have installed a temporary fused supply to the ignition switch, and everything working apart from fuel guage and ammeter.
Checking the voltage regulator shows 30 volts and a couple of amps output.
So dynamo ok, battery disconnected prior to further investigation.
May be coincidence but the engine starts and stops with no 'running on' now.

[Richard Fridd]

Test meter faulty. Correct readings 2amps and 14v. Fuel and coolant temperature gauges not working so mechanical temperature gauge and fuel dipstick in use. Auxiliary ammeter working with a swap of wires.
Richard


75012 mileage

[GG]

Apart from float level, my other job today was to attend to a noisey tappet. This turned out to be another bent pushrod.  No1 inlet.
I blamed the previous bent pushrod No5 inlet on the broken valve spring.
No problem, one spare pushrod left on the shelf. Pushrod fitted but no tappet clearance. Removed replacement pushrod to find it is longer than the original. So borrowed another from my spare engine, which also turned out to be too long. I thought there might be a chance of swapping the rocker gear from the spare engine to match but the rocker arms are different lengths.
So straightened the original pushrod. The aluminium part of the longer pushrod could be shortened. Heads skimmed so should pushrods be shortened to suit?

Richard

In the Aurelia, the 2 liter engine has different length pushrods than the 2.5L version - something not widely known. They are about ⅛" different, but its too much to take out with the tappet screw. Perhaps the 2.5L and 2.8L Flaminias are different too...

[Richard Fridd]

Thankyou for mentioning that Geoffrey. 0.5mm difference in this case. I have one spare to shorten, and will try that.
I do need to keep a long set for my spare engine which has the different rockers. Both 2.5 litre capacity though, I think.
Richard

[chriswgawne]

I never knew that Geoff. Are the B12 pushrods 2 litre length or 2.5? .....or different again?
Chris

[GG]

No idea. We ran across that w only two or three engines. Maybe time to measure? I’ll take a look in the parts book.