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Jun 07, 2014 9:29 pm
Jun 07, 2014 9:29 pm
Subject: Re: 4.5 litre engine problems and upgrades
I have enjoyed mostly very reliable mileages from my two LG45s, and racing my now sold 1936 Team Car with a engine that was very competitive. Unfortunately you have experienced a problem with these Meadows engines is that is almost common. The advice from LMB and David Ayre is spot-on, these are long stroke engines and insufficient cooling, poor pistons. liners moving and insuffucent bore clearances have been an issue for at least 20 years. There are some things you can do to improve the coolant flow for No1 and No6 piston. Ensuring the water jackets are clean and changing the "sock" or sludge filter in the header tank regularly is equally important. A good electric fan can help and a modern design water pump essential. I would also suggest that ignition timing is pretty important, 29 deg btdc with a 2 deg gap between the magnetos seems to work well with modern petrol. I am really sorry that you have had such an expensive experience but the meadows engine should be reliable and produce sufficient power to easily keep up with modern traffic. I wish you good luck.
I have enjoyed mostly very reliable mileages from my two LG45s, and racing my now sold 1936 Team Car with a engine that was very competitive. Unfortunately you have experienced a problem with these Meadows engines is that is almost common. The advice from LMB and David Ayre is spot-on, these are long stroke engines and insufficient cooling, poor pistons. liners moving and insuffucent bore clearances have been an issue for at least 20 years. There are some things you can do to improve the coolant flow for No1 and No6 piston. Ensuring the water jackets are clean and changing the "sock" or sludge filter in the header tank regularly is equally important. A good electric fan can help and a modern design water pump essential. I would also suggest that ignition timing is pretty important, 29 deg btdc with a 2 deg gap between the magnetos seems to work well with modern petrol. I am really sorry that you have had such an expensive experience but the meadows engine should be reliable and produce sufficient power to easily keep up with modern traffic. I wish you good luck.