1944 A27M Cromwell MK IV Restoration

[lssah2025]

Looks like everything is going good Dave.

Well the engine is currently being rebuilt, one cylinder bank was bad, so he had a spare spitfire bank, which is going in mine. So it will be half spitfire...The manifold will be rewelded so no issue there.

Also it looks like we are going to make a mold for the wheels to redo the rubber, so we will probably have some makers marks and some other goodies put into it. I need all 20 of my road wheels redone, and I know a few others do too, so look for more info.

And don't be to hard on Rick for picture updates, he decided to step on his laptop again and broke it, so he will be back in service some time this week enshallah.

[Andrew Rowe]

Have some guys in the past used Centurion roadwheels, are they the same diameter??, Just a thought.

[lssah2025]

You can use the road wheels, you have to weld the mounting holes and and then re-drill for the Cromwell bolt pattern, you also have to shave off some of the rubber since it is wider than then Cromwell wheels. I would consider that if my wheels were all destroyed, but I want to keep the original road wheels to keep it original and to try and not use anything modern on it. But in the end, it will really depend on what the total cost will be, if it is going to be very expensive to do the road wheels, then I might look at the other option, since they can be had for around 40-50 quid apiece, then the wheels have to be welded and put on a CNC machine.

[lssah2025]

From Rick,

"the engine rebuild has been progressing nicely, although there have been one or two issues which is inevitable with an old engine; first the inlet manifold water jackets were corroded to the bolts and had to be drilled out. after that one of the cylinder walls was found to be cracked on the left bank, fortunately peter the engine specialist had a spare spitfire bank lying around, (as you do) and this has now been fitted. most of the piston rings needed to be replaced as they were seized solid which is not unusual for a meteor that's been stood for a long time. the mag's will be replaced and if we can get hold of one a new loom as well. there will be other small bits and pieces but on the whole it's going well."

[lssah2025]

Well supposedly the engine is done, rebuilt etc. by flight engineering UK, cost a little over 5K pounds to redo, so lets hit Rick up for some updates..

I found the engine on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBMOB2zYQP8

Sounds good... next thing is for the gear box to being finished, currently soaking to clean out the gunk, Rick replaced the filter that was friggin clogged to a point of no return, we just also just got a new steam/power washer to do the interior and other bits and bobs..

Fingers crossed working on another project to speed along the Cromwell restoration..