Starting R/Royce "B" Series crate motor

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

We have just taken delivery of a new in the box (well.. half a box) B40 for the Austin Champ.
It is tagged with:

WARNING
THIS ENGINE HAS BEEN INHIBITED
WITH CS 1746
Must not be turned over.

CS 1746 may be a lanolin based preservative, there was a small amount in the sump when the plug was removed.

Hopefully someone here has more knowledge on this subject than I do!
Is it a matter of just pouring in oil? Do we need to run a flushing agent first?
We have also been told that the motors are stored in a crank position that has all the valves closed.. is this true?
Flywheel has been cleaned of lovely black preservative and clutch fitted, cooling fan clutch also cleaned, still need to fit a few items, plugs, carby, generator etc. and look to see if there is a rotor in the distributor.
Any advice appreciated.
Rich.

Hi Rich,
I was once involved in building reconditioned engines while working in REME workshops (not B40's though) and they were test run on the standard engine oil, then drained and filled with a lanolin based preservation oil, with a short light run, then drained, The lanolin oil was sprayed in to the plug holes with a pipe with radial jets on it, into the intake and exhaust manifolds and coolant orifices. The crankshaft pulley or flywheel was taped across with a label saying not to rotate. I recall if the engine was not used within 5 years it had to be re-preserved. No idea how long ago your engine was built. You may want to pour some light oil in the bores to seep around the rings in case there is any rust there.
Normally when fitting a recon engine you just fill with correct oil and away you go, but due to the age on this one and how it may have been stored I would be cautious.
Is it a REME rebuild or a RAEME one?

Oh and there is no position that a 4 cyl engine can be in where all valves are closed.

regards Richard