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Rich5ltr
Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 3:48 pm Post subject: Question on manual advance / retard levers |
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Quick question: I am soon to be the owner of a pre-war car, my first... While not being a complete Luddite I am unsure how and when one uses the advance / retard lever? I am guessing retard to start but how and when does one advance it? And... do you "play" with it while driving or do you stick to fully advanced once the engine is warm? |
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Ashley
Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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Usually you fully retard to start it and run it fully advanced, but if it's reluctant to start you could try advancing the the timing a little.
In the old days when petrols were less consistent you sometimes need to retard the ignition to stop pinking, but not now.
My son has a customer with a Speed 20 Alvis and it never needs retarding once it's running. |
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Rich5ltr
Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks. I am sure I will get used to it. Being the person I am I thought it was something to fiddle with as you go along but by the sound of it, not! |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22447 Location: UK
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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Rich5ltr wrote: | Thanks. I am sure I will get used to it. Being the person I am I thought it was something to fiddle with as you go along but by the sound of it, not! |
Handbooks of the day do talk about altering the timing before tackling hills, and the like, so there's every chance you may need to tweak things while on the move, saying that I don't tend to need to in the Dodge (car).
As Ashley says, retard to start, then advance once running to a setting that works best.
What are you buying, out of interest?
RJ _________________ Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop |
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Rich5ltr
Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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Rick wrote: | What are you buying, out of interest?
RJ | Not collecting it for a couple of weeks but it's a 1933 Lagonda. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6316 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 12:06 am Post subject: |
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If you ever have to start the engine with the handle be sure that the timing is fully retarded or you run the risk of injury should it back fire.
Please post some photos of the Lagonda when you get it.
One of my all time favourite cars. |
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Rich5ltr
Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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Here's a quick picture for those that are interested. I've not collected it yet and I'll post a few more once I get it but I rather excited to say the least!
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6316 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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WOW!
I don't usually get envious but I have to admit to having a few pangs of the green eyed monster variety just now.
Last edited by Ray White on Sun Sep 27, 2015 10:50 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Rich5ltr
Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, of course I am assuming the Red Triangle is an Alvis whereas the car I'm getting is a Lagonda, contemporaries of the era... |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6316 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry. I goofed. I was distracted and lost my thread.
Your Lagonda 16/80 T7 tourer is a real head turner and I have removed my erroneous comments. What you have there is of course one of the finest cars anyone could wish for. |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22447 Location: UK
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Rich5ltr
Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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Ray White wrote: | Your Lagonda 16/80 T7 tourer is a real head turner... | Thanks and you're spot on. You obviously know your Lagondas very well.. I only recently found it was also known as a Lagonda 16/80 Special Six . |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6316 Location: Derby
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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The 1991 cc OHV engine is basically a Crossley unit reworked by Lagonda. The 16 related to a RAC HP rating while the 80 supposedly referred to 80 mph; some say it's the BHP - I don't know which is right.
Does your car have a conventional 4 speed transmission - or was it supplied with an ENV pre selector box? As you may be aware, many pre selectors have been replaced with Alvis 20hp synchro boxes. |
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Rich5ltr
Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 11:29 am Post subject: |
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That's right it was a Crossley engine rebuilt by Lagonda. Mine originally had the pre-selector box but this was swapped for a Lagonda 4 speed manual some time in the dim and distant past. A quick reference point is that the ones with the Alvis conversion have the gear lever in the more conventional central position rather than to the right of the driver's thigh. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6316 Location: Derby
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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That's nice you have an Alvis box. I like the original placement of the RH gear lever; non synchro boxes can take a bit of getting used to but I think double de clutching is a skill worth mastering.
I look forward to seeing more photos. Does the interior feature the intertwined diamond pattern on the door cards?
You obviously have good taste. What other cars have you had? |
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