I see that GKN has closed its Sheepbridge works and is now manufacturing in China. Does anyone have any experience of alternative suppliers?

The uk company Laystall offer liners in spun cast, chrome plated and silicon carbide. Anyone used their products - any thoughts on the last two options?

Happy New Year

Colin

Hi Colin,
I have a spare 54mm liner that I will never use if you want to purchase? I believe it has never been used.
I do not use Iron in my barrels, just Aluminium and plating, this has turned out to be very reliable and in terms of cost for wear rate, probably cheaper than using iron liners.
Problems revolve around initial costs (very high) and getting quality liner material in a form you can use. A small amount of knowledge is needed for the fit of the liner but other than that it is trouble free.
Iron Liner available now, email me if interested.
If you want to know more of the alloy, email me if interested!
Cheers,
Alan

Alan,

Thanks for that.

I have sent an email to Laystall with detailed drawings for their comments. I have applied standard Ford/Ricardo specifications for limits and fits so I am happy with the geometry.

With a Sheepbridge liner unless you could guarantee that it was properly stress relived they could go walk-about. So a move away from cast iron is attractive. Laystall also supply high strength forged aluminium alloy tube so there shouldn’t be any issues with surface treatment compatibility.

Thanks for the offer but I will see where I get with Laystall.

Colin

Hi Colin,
No probs on that, just didn't think you would want to re-invent, when the technology is sorted and reliable.
Good luck with yours,
Alan

Colin

I got Tom and Brian all their cast for liners from a place called CYL LINERS (websearch) in the same district/area of Chesterfield. I've drove up there several times and picked up from GKN and later CYL very cheap and high quality spun cast.


Hope this helps

Tony

update

details:

Cyl-Liners Ltd
Unit 19 Whitting Valley Road
Old Whittington
Chesterfield
S43 1PT(Road Map)
Tel: 01246 456133
Fax: 01246 456134
Internet: www.cyl-liners.co.uk

Tony

Thanks I will have a look at their web site.

This is very much a paper engine at the moment and I have not made any decision to turn it into metal. Although I may produce enough components to carry out some flow work and motoring tests.

The other area I would be very interested is in programmable spark timing. Does anyone use or had any experience on a Bantam engine? I am thinking as a minimum, say 3 slopes over the rev range rather than fully mapped (though that is not a problem).

Thanks

Colin