spare ball bearing

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Michael Starr.
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Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: Hertfordshire UK

spare ball bearing

Post by Michael Starr. »

Here is today's brain teaser. Some months ago I gave my 1929 586 cc Matchless sidevalve single engine to a specialist to be rebuilt. The engine was duly stripped down and the parts placed into a box. Now the rebuild has been finished I have the task of putting together all the various bits and pieces. This I have done, with the exception of one item - a 1/4 inch ball bearing. Now, it's not clear if the ball bearing was a part of the engine, or just happened to find its way into the box of bits. It's nothing to do with the clutch (this was all removed beforehand), and the only other possible place I can think of for a ball bearing is in an oil line, where it might act as a valve. There is only one possible oil union which could accommodate the ball, but the ball would then fall into the engine. The ball bearing has therefore been left out - unless anyone knows any better??
Rohan B.
Posts: 136
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: AUSTRALIA

spare ball bearing

Post by Rohan B. »

if you remove the cylinder, the postwar motors had a ball and spring set down into the crankcase near the cam gear, which regulated the oil flow to the gallery and little holes in the rear of the cylinder. I think the plan is that when cold it flows oil to lube the back of the piston, and when hot reduces the flow.

I think this system was in use for a long time, so maybe your motor is the same ?

And I stand to be corrected on this, I'm not entirely sure my 1949 has this, although there is a little hole there between the tappets that I'm sure is related ???

hth,
Rohan.
Rohan B.
Posts: 136
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: AUSTRALIA

spare ball bearing

Post by Rohan B. »

In studying the parts list more carefully, I see under Crankcase -
000021 ball (1/4 in steel) for cylinder oil feed valve
&
00071 spring for cylinder oil feed valve

In 1951 they cost 1 penny and 3 pence respectively..

hth,
Rohan.
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silverarrow
Posts: 549
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: LEICESTERSHIRE UK

spare ball bearing

Post by silverarrow »

Should explain to viewers that the price in 1951 should read 1shilling & 3 pence or pennies.

Shown as 1/3d and now approximately £0.06!

Les
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Rohan B.
Posts: 136
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: AUSTRALIA

spare ball bearing

Post by Rohan B. »

Geez Les, remind me not to buy any spares at your shop !!!!

I repeat, the price in 1951 was 1 penny, and 3 pennies, respectively.. For a total of 4 pence, you got the 1/4" ball AND the spring......

Cheers,
Rohan.

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silverarrow
Posts: 549
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: LEICESTERSHIRE UK

spare ball bearing

Post by silverarrow »

Eating Humble Pie - that's the trouble with dealing with 64 messages in one sitting!

Les
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Michael Starr.
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: Hertfordshire UK

spare ball bearing

Post by Michael Starr. »

I've just got back from holiday and am grateful to note your various thoughts on the possible position of the "spare" ball bearing, which it seems might well have featured as a crude oil-feed valve. I didn't come across any spring to hold it in place, but I shall definitely be looking for a suitable hole into which the said ball can fit.
33d6
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Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: AUSTRALIA

spare ball bearing

Post by 33d6 »

Hi Mike. As owner of several vintage Matchlesses (Matchlii?) I can say none of them have any form of ball bearing in any oil line. As Matchless had a total loss oiling sytem until 1930 there is only the one oil line to the oil pump and as fitted in the factory it was a straight line with no ball fitted. That doesn't mean to say someone hasn't had a fiddle in the intervening decades. Getting the oil distributed around the engine relies heavily on the engine breather working properly and as the factory used the same 20's design for donkeys years you can probably get the parts from the spares scheme, perhaps a previous owner had bastardised the breather. Regardless of what pump is fitted they all leak oil into the engine eventually but the factory never fitted anything to prevent it. (You are supposed to ride them, not let them sit around to drain the oil into the sump) Perhaps a previous owner rigged up some form of anti sumping valve. My own preference is for a simple on off tap regardless of everyone who claims horrible things can happen. (They don't but that is for next time). BOB
Michael Starr.
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: Hertfordshire UK

spare ball bearing

Post by Michael Starr. »

Thanks for your input Bob. It has taken me some time to get the mechanics of the machine sorted and I am still waiting for some electrical work to be completed, so I haven't had a chance to get the machine running as yet. It is, of course, a total loss oil lubrication system, and I note that a previous owner has fitted an on/off tap on the outlet to the oil tank, presumably to overcome any potential problem with wet sumping. I don't have any experience (yet) with the Pilgrim pumps, and so do not know if these have a tendency to let oil past them or not. I'm inclined to leave the oil tap in situ, since I am hoping that checking the oil pump visually to see if the flow is appropriate will be sufficient reminder to switch the tap on in the first place.
33d6
Posts: 43
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: AUSTRALIA

spare ball bearing

Post by 33d6 »

Don't worry Mike, I've fitted taps on vintage oil lines for about the last 25 years and believe me you don't forget! The sheer embarrasment of forgetting to turn the oil on sharpens the memory more than some what. It's also an odd fact about Pilgrim pumps that because you can see the oil drip from the beak you just have to keep checking it! In fact you get obsessive about it.
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