[SEL] What I did tonight !

[Jerry Evans]

Hi Guys,
         The SEL Digest arrived a while ago and only 2 posts and none of 
them interesting - damn.

         Just to restore my faith in old engines I decided to have a drink 
with my old Wolseley "R Type" born 18/08/1928.

         What a beautiful old piece of machinery. His name, "Raymond", was 
given to him by my friend Justin Ludewig. When Justin first saw the bore 
and stroke he said "This engine is going to BARK!" Justin had many years 
ago worked for a boss with the name "Raymond Bark" so this engine became 
known as Raymond - because he was going to "bark". As it turned out Raymond 
never "barked" - even before I built him a silencer. Raymond preferred to 
act as the perfect "English Gentleman" - "quiet and aloof" and went about 
his business of delivering power with a minimum of fuss.

         I last started him as part of my "New Years Crankup" and he's been 
standing outside ever since - albeit with his own tarpaulin to protect him 
from the elements. Tonight he fired with just one turn of the crank handle.

         I've often written to the SEL about him but for those who missed 
these posts you can read about Raymond here:
<http://www.oldengine.org/members/evans/WolseleyR/index.htm>

         He is a really beautiful old gentleman (even with his Lister 6/1 
spoked flywheels which are so much "handsomer" (poetic licence invoked) 
than his original solid flywheels) and he  always enjoys a drink with his 
present guardian (that's me).

         Tonight I played with his carby settings  and had him firing 
happily only 26 times per minute (he's throttle governed - not "hit 'n 
miss".). This equates to about 300+ R.P.M. (or less) (He also has an oil 
pump so does not mind running so slowly because the oil pump still gets the 
good stuff to the important parts!)
         This is well below his normal working speed but he spent many 
years working hard and is retired now (and he will never again be asked to 
work to the maximum). All he needs to do now is enthrall crowds at engine 
shows (and have a regular drink with his present owner (me again)).

         Raymond loves having a drink with me - I have a glass of "Brandy & 
Coke" and he has a glass of "Petrol". The only problem is that he drinks so 
much slower than me and I find myself "topping up" for myself more often 
than for him!

         We spent about 3 1/2 hours of really quality time together tonight.

         Some of Raymonds "claims to fame" are:

         a) He is the only restored and running Wolseley "Type R" in South 
Africa.
         b) The Australian Wolseley register only lists about 6 of these 
engines (thats the 6HP version) (Of course there will be more unregistered!)
         c) He's such a gentleman !
         d) His "Dad" (thats me again) loves him to pieces.

         I asked the SEL (and OldEngine) lists to vote (about 18 months 
ago) as to wether I should "slick him up" and paint him or "leave him as he 
is". The "leave him as he is" lobby won but I was not convinced. I decided 
to wait and see. I'm still undecided !

         I love him in his "working clothes". I've got quite a few less 
illustrious engines that are "all slicked up" and they do attract a lot of 
attention and compliments at engine shows  but
these comments just do not seem to measure up to the comment "Hey look - 
here's a really old one!" This usually comes from a person who knows 
nothing about old engines but, because the Wolseley is not "all slicked-up" 
and does have a few oil leaks and is dirty and rusty they naturally assume 
that it is REALLY, REALLY old and it "steals the show" as far as they are 
concerned.

         I think I'll keep him as he is :-) Now to find plans for a Rusty 
Cart :-)







Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm