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The Aircraft Engine Historical Society encourages the restoration of aircraft engines, both by individual collectors and by museums. Restorer Andy Lloyd: "I am making progress with the Napier Lion engine; my biggest worry was the 80 year old plus water jackets. I pressure tested them with the help of Chris Williams, who has a Lion engine in his racing Bentley. He also had a spare set to test; we were both very pleased to have water tight cylinders. Chris has been very helpful throughout this rebuild. The rod assemblies have been stripped, checked and rebuilt. The timing case has had the same attention and is now finished having had the hand starter area remade with a lot of time spent on the milling machine and lathe producing components. I have ordered pistons which will hopefully arrive in March or April. The original piston's had varying amounts of corrosion, which I assume is down to age; I could not risk re-using them. The cylinders have been honed and I am currently working on the valves. Luckily they are very good and have only required a small amount of grinding and seat cutting. I am also working on the engine carrier. This started out as an electric 'trash cart' for use in the city centre, I have removed the cart body and made up mountings with wooden engine bearers. This will also house the tanks, radiators and ancillaries." July 30, 2009 -- The crank and rod's went together very well and the magneto's fitted easily. I am at one of those times when I am waiting for things and feel I am not getting much done, although I am picking up a few bits and pieces of ancillarys that I require; I recently got a beautiful WW1 aircraft revcounter with a 500-2500 rev range in working condition. January 23, 2010 -- The pistons arrived and the engine is now fairly complete. The ancillaries and all the little parts that were missing are taking quite a bit of time to make but if it was easy everybody would be doing it ! July 24, 2010 -- A lot of time has been taken on the coolant system, making all the fittings, pipework and seals. Both mags are timed in, oil pipework to the head's is going well, control rods and support have been made along with a coolant header tank. The under body oil system is fairly complete as is the control panel. This weekend I am aiming to finish the fuel priming pipework; I had some help with the tiny jet drilling, which was to small for my general drilling equipment. All the valve clearances are done, cam cover gaskets in position and the engine turns over with a nice "whoosh" when cranked by hand.
Restorations by Brian Peaden This is a Bristol Centaurus cutaway recently completed and donated to the Aerospace Museum of California, McClellan, California. Brian did not have a fuel control unit for the engine. Perhaps someone may know where one can be obtained? The museum would love to have it to complete this display. The last image is a progress photo of a 4360 which should be in the museum this summer.
Restorer Brian Peaden: "The R-4360 has been completed and donated to the Aerospace Museum of California, McClellan, California. This is my hobby and retirement project so progress is slow. The complete 4360 has one damaged cylinder, which I am trying to find a replacement for. If I can locate one and a starter motor I hope to be able to start and run this engine."
This engine is currently is installed and flying in a 1939 Rearwin 9000KR Sportster, N25431
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