ALTA bits

for those with Series MM sidevalve cars produced between September 1948 and February 1953
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RobThomas
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ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

First 'sample' has arrived for machining.
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altapipe1.jpg
altapipe1.jpg (108.34 KiB) Viewed 5277 times
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youngcamper
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by youngcamper »

Looking good! :)
Will
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________1967-Lily________________________1963-Phoebe_______________________1965-Dobby_________
RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

Yeah, not bad. I need to open out the inner bore to the right size and drill the mounting holes before making good the flange where it sits on the head. If it all fits OK then I can get the other 5 made.

Shouldn't be long.

Next job is that rocker cover.

Rob
Cardiff, UK
RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

Alta head is off for a leaking valve. Good news is that there is almost zero corrosion, the valves and associated gear look to be in mint condition and the bores are +40 with little sign of any wear at all. Phew!

I need some new head studs and nuts and some Shellac to seal the head stud covers to the block. Is there a modern replacement material?
Cardiff, UK
Sleeper
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by Sleeper »

Wellseal

John :wink:
RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

Ahhhhh, the VW engine casing stuff. Thanks.
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RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

altr5.jpg
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ALTR4.jpg
ALTR4.jpg (107.12 KiB) Viewed 5215 times
aLTR3.jpg
aLTR3.jpg (156.48 KiB) Viewed 5215 times
Oops. Spoke too soon. Mostly it is in great nick but there is one area of corrosion where it looks like there has been some localised boiling next to the rear spark plug hole. Bu66er!
Cardiff, UK
philthehill
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by philthehill »

Rob
Bad luck.
Unless you can be sure that welding is not going to distort the casting I would be tempted to clean up the corrosion and use some heat resistant aluminium putty to effect a repair.
I have not used this product but it seems to tick all the boxes.
http://www.prkntekindia.in/index.php/pr ... al-casting
Phil

RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

The corrosion looks like it might go right through to the spark plug hole and into the chamber so it'll have to be a weld. I assume Birmidal is a high-silicon ali and will weld with 4043 rods but have got someone checking for me. If I'm careful I can weld just enough to get the strength back near the plug hole and then use something like Lumiweld if there are any last bits needing filler.
I did look at some Belzona repair putty but it is still only goes for about 220 degrees C, like that other stuff. Might get hotter than that near the plugs?

Wife is out tomorrow. Head going in the dishwasher!
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RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

Just got a quote for a batch of Alta valves. Anyone need some?
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TvdWerf
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by TvdWerf »

20170211_130605a.jpg
20170211_130605a.jpg (138.5 KiB) Viewed 5162 times
Also this Alta is missing the water pipe....
So can I put my name on the list?
MM '51 LHD sidevalve
RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

Might be a bit too late to get another one added to the production line. I'll try when I next speak to the casting company.

Next order for them won't be for another 50 years!

Alternatively, I can make them from welded-up sections, or you could sell me the Alta you've got???? :D
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RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

Final invoice has come in for the Alta water castings. It works out at £58.20 including postage to the mainland UK. They are spoken for, so long as everyone who wanted one still wants them. There is now one more person wanting a casting if someone wants to drop out.

Cheers

Rob
Cardiff, UK
RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

Sets of Alta valves are in the process of being made between myself, Will and Ian. If anyone wants some valves, now is the time to shout! Probably won't be any more for the next 50 years. :D
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youngcamper
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by youngcamper »

RobThomas wrote:Sets of Alta valves are in the process of being made between myself, Will and Ian. If anyone wants some valves, now is the time to shout! Probably won't be any more for the next 50 years. :D
I'm hoping to get these produced at some point later in the year, so if anyone does want a set please let me know!
Will
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________1967-Lily________________________1963-Phoebe_______________________1965-Dobby_________
RobThomas
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Re: ALTA bits

Post by RobThomas »

I've just had some deliveries. I bought a bulk supply of M8 studs for MM exhaust/inlet manifolds. These are 13-8PH stainless high tensile bolts. The tensile strength is almost the same as ARP racing bolts (circa 160,000 psi) and are corrosion resistant. I have about 5 sets for anyone fed up with rotten studs. Next job is to see if I can get complete sets of head studs for the MM and the Alta.
These are precision rolled threads unlike the normal cut threads sold.


What a nightmare it is to put up pictures!
studsm8.png
studsm8.png (2.16 MiB) Viewed 3782 times
studs2.png
studs2.png (739.06 KiB) Viewed 3780 times
Cardiff, UK
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