New to Planet Derby Bentley

Steve Welton · Joined: 17 Oct 2013 Posts: 105

I have recently migrated from WO to a Derby Bentley with Park Ward Saloon body. One or two questions from a new (older) boy.................
Has anyone done anything innovative but reversible with the fag lighter and ash tray? I do not use them and though correct are not needed.
Has anyone fitted a battery isolation switch? Having some experience of electrical faults that become fires I have generally fitted them to any cars that I have had. Is it needed and where might a switch be located so that it is easily accessible from inside the car? I am slightly perplexed at the number of things that are on (live) when the ignition is off!
There is a rear screen blind that should go up and down is there any knowledge around on how this works? There is a thread through the roof lining.
What are the recommended spark plugs please ?
Anyone any advice on fitting an electronic cut out to replace the regulator and wound resistor ?

Thanks
I am sure more questions will emerge as time goes by

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:07 am Post subject:

Steve,

A good start would be to buy the "Green Book", or The Derby Bentley Technical Manual.

What is the chassis number of your car and is the cylinder head the original cast iron one or a later aluminium alloy replacement?
The best way to eliminate a lot of ignition problems is to fit a modern 12 volt coil, either as a direct replacement, or situated on the side valance with the low tension lead by-passing the antiquated ballast resistor.

You could fit an isolator between the battery and the main starter switch (solenoid) on the left of the bulkhead, but check first if there are any other connections onto the battery itself.
(Although I hesitate to say it (not), you will wish that you had bought a good running R Type synchromesh car.)
Buy all your parts from Will Fiennes, (say no more).

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:19 am Post subject:

Bentley bitsa latest. The first new Derby Bentley since 1939, only the frame and the bulkhead are from the original complete car.

To be christened "Proc T Algia", pain in the bum.

Steve Welton · Joined: 17 Oct 2013 Posts: 105

Thanks Chris
Chassis No B115CW and has original cast head.
Car works well apart from charging, but I am on the case!
I like the build in progress and the Latin name suits ...................

Steve Welton · Joined: 17 Oct 2013 Posts: 105

Car now charges as it should.

There have been no further suggestions regarding:

the fag lighter and ash tray

a battery isolation switch

rear screen blind

spark plugs

John Murch · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 9:03 am Post subject:

Re spark plugs
https://www.bdcl.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1834&highlight=spark+plugs
Is this thread any help?

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 10:21 am Post subject:

Re the battery switch, I fitted a Lucas SSB106 (Google it) in the floor of my MKVI saloon, just next to the driver's seat (in the bit of floor that stays put, as far as I can remember).

The switch came from a lorry spares specialist. In those days it took some effort just to find such things.

Steve Welton · Joined: 17 Oct 2013 Posts: 105

Thanks all that gives me loads to go at.............
Plugs are very interesting!

Steve Welton · Joined: 17 Oct 2013 Posts: 105

I have no Exhaust Cut Out on the car and am unable to find any reference to them. There is a lever in the floor.
I have some idea of what they do but is it worth having one?

John Robins · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 10:27 am Post subject:

It would not be legal to use an exhaust cut out on the road, and for occasional track use you would have to find some way of diverting the hot gases away from the body and oil or fuel lines (and wiring!). It may also upset the mixture to remove the exhaust back pressure and my personal view would be that for general purpose road use you don't need one.

Steve Welton · Joined: 17 Oct 2013 Posts: 105

Thanks John no surprises really but then why did they fit this to the cars in the first place?

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 6:36 pm Post subject:

They were a popular go-faster addition in the early days. With no computers to help design the silencers, the price of silence was a drop in engine performance. I haven't seen one on a post-war car so maybe the Derbys were the last to have such things?

From a 21st C perspective these do seem like breathtakingly antisocial devices. Did people really use them on the road? You wouldn't be allowed to use one on a track nowadays as the noise limits are quite conservative.

It would be a shame if they disappeared altogether as these things are a part of the history of our cars. Hopefully you will at least keep the bits of the system you've got?

Ewan Gallie · Joined: 29 Oct 1997 Posts: 184 Location: Italy

Charles R Simmers · Joined: 19 Apr 2000 Posts: 117 Location: Arizona, USA

These are readily available here in the States. Here is one, for instance.

http://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS-Performance-Products/JEGS-Electric-Exhaust-Cutouts/1231909/10002/-1

Police citations are also readily available.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 8:41 am Post subject:

I pull them out levers and all, they were banned in the 4 1/4 cars, far too noisy and with the CO leaks, lethal!

After 6 months to the day, I got the 3 1/2 litre machined engine parts back last Friday, so it is all go now to get it back to Windsor.

Fairly (B) fiddly as always, until I came to the new, Fiennes, high compression pistons, the gudgeon pin hole instead of being .0001" fit ,hot, was in fact a .010" fit, and I had to obtain a special reamer to scrape out the holes.
So before anybody starts brainstorming, I should have been waiting weeks for them if I had set them back.
Pics to follow if I can remember to take any.

Steve Welton · Joined: 17 Oct 2013 Posts: 105

A further question!
I know the chassis weight is about 2,500lbs does anyone know the approximate weight of a 3.5 with a 4 light Park Ward body please ?

John Robins · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 7:54 am Post subject:

The nearest I can get is Autocar road test #1030, no date shown in my book, 4 1/4 with what is described as standard saloon body, and looks like a PW 4 light.

Weight without passengers 33cwt 1qr 22lb.

A later test Nov 12th 1937, #1149 says 34cwt 1qr 20lb.

Test #1269 April 7th 1939, says 35cwt 0qr 23lb.

Capt. McLeod's "H1" weighed in at 31cwt.

http://www.rrab.com/mcleod.htm

On 28th May 1937 G. Geoffrey Smith wrote an article called "3 1/2 and 4 1/4 litres compared" and quotes 33cwt and 35cwt respectively, and moans that the later car gets through tyres more quickly, recommending the Pneugrippa retread process (!).

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:10 am Post subject:

The weight of the 3 1/2 litre chassis is 2510 lbs. "The Company" ie Rolls -Royce set a weight limit for the bodywork of 8 1/2 cwt and only P W were able to manage this.

McLeod's shorty, B142 MR was an H J Mulliner aberration and originally fitted to his B171LE, he continued this trend right up to the post war S3 Continentals.

John Murch · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 4:19 pm Post subject:

Steve,
Brooklands Books 'Bentley Cars 1934 - 1939' is a compilation of the available road tests.
I have a copy and would be pleased to photocopy or scan any articles that you would like. (not the whole book, its 66 pages!)
There is a brief test of a 1934 PW saloon, doesn't mention weight!
John

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 5:35 pm Post subject:

A recent picture of the McLeod shorty, minus the H1.

You should see the 1947 MK VI!

Steve Welton · Joined: 17 Oct 2013 Posts: 105

Many thanks for such a prompt response.
I will see if I can get "Brooklands Books 'Bentley Cars 1934 - 1939'
In the meantime I would greatly appreciate a scan of the 34 PW Saloon test please John.
The reason for needing to know is I am contemplating buying a car lift arrangement see here http://www.carlift-ramp-mr1.com/ As I get older I need to find ways of making maintenance tasks a little easier, this seemed an improvement on ramps and jacks.

John Robins · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 7:03 am Post subject:

Looking at the relative prices, heaviest is best, anyhow, you might weaken and buy a Mk VI!

You might look for "Autocar on Bentley since 1919" which covers Autocar tests between then and 1988, it's a bit Xerox looking, but might be easier to find at autojumbles. Publisher Bay View Books.