Lagondaforum

Subject: Lubricating the dynamo on a 3.5 litre engine

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Please can anyone tell me if the crankshaft driven dynamo on my 3.5 litre Lagonda engine requires lubrication, and if so how this is done? There are no grease nipples or "Winkley" oilers so I'm wondering if the dynamo shaft has sealed bearings at each end or if the rear end is somehow lubricated by the engine with a sealed bearing at the front (commutator) end. I need to be sure about this and so far no one has been able to supply an answer. Thank you.
Malcolm Crump

Subject: Re: Lubricating the dynamo on a 3.5 litre engine

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Malcolm. Sorry only just been able to read your post as we have been having broadband problems. I had a 3 litre for 15 years and I never lubricated the dynamo as there was no provision for it. I feel fairly certain that it does not have sealed bearings and is not lubricated by the engine. The front plate is solid and nothing could get through. I would be worried if there were any holes for "oil mist" !
My father in law was an autoelectrician and he always told me that far more damage was done by lubricating a dynamo than by leaving it alone. If you oil the dynamo it usually gets on the commutator and then you lose charge ! Literally one or 2 drops of oil are plenty very, very occasionally. Personally I would leave it well alone. If you are very concerned then get the Dynamo off, take it apart and inspect it - if necessary fit sealed bearings. They are fairly easy to work on and you should not be frightened of it ! Hope this helps.

Subject: Re: Lubricating the dynamo on a 3.5 litre engine

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Unfortunately I have no knowledge of your dynamo, but I think just leaving it is foolhardy.

It seems extremely odd that an instrument from that era has no obvious lubrication points. That being the case, there is a strong likelihood that it has never been serviced, or not for many years.

If you leave it, it will surely wear more quickly, resulting in possible bearing collapse, which could result in irreparable internal damage. Perhaps the manufacturer's ethos was that servicing would be forced by brush wear...ie, once the brushes wear sufficiently for charging to cease, the owner would have to dismantle the instrument to renew the brushes, and would then take the opportunity to clean and lubricate it.

I'd certainly recommend taking it off, dismantling it and cleaning/lubricating it...bearing in mind the previous poster's advice, in so far as don't overdo it.

Dismantling should be straightforward; hopefully there is access to the brush springs so that these can be released before you withdraw the brush carrier...not a great problem dismantling, but reassembly could be problematic without.

Laurence

Laurence

Subject: Re: Lubricating the dynamo on a 3.5 litre engine

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Thank you Bill & "H14" The whole car was comprehensively restored by professionals about 15 yeas ago and is in immaculate condition so I believe that it is most likely that the dynamo will have received attention. I think I'll leave well alone for the time being and perhaps another member will be able to confirm the lubrication arrangements from definite first hand knowledge. My best guess is that sealed bearings are used.
Regards
Malcolm

Subject: Re: Lubricating the dynamo on a 3.5 litre engine

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Dear All,

I can now answer my own question. I understand that the dynamo was originally fitted with felt seals to help retain the grease in the bearings. I have now had my dynamo overhauled and fitted with modern sealed bearings.
Regards
Malcolm Crump