At Last I Have A Dowty (photos may not be visible to none regisitered members)

[BN]

I am now the proud owner of a Dowty Turbo Craft. It will be fully restored and as near to original as is possible. I do need a steering wheel, so if there is one out there, please let me know.

The picture is of the Dowty yesterday on collection from Rob. He looks sad, yet has a half smile, thanks Rob, watch this space, it will be a slow start, but get quicker as it all comes together, but first it all has to come apart and a new trailer.

(sorry about picture quality, mobile phone)

I will also build a section in the new site for Dowty.

I have just located and purchased a spare engine for the boat, so progress will be made.


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[BN]

Stage 2

Now I have a second engine  . It was a military unit that drove a generator  , but it turns over and appears to be quite sound, time will tell  . The plan is that I at least have donor parts and the engine can now be rebuilt. It will be stripped down, checked, new parts installed, then re assembled and shot blasted. Following all of that, it will be painted in the original green  .

The original unit with the boat I think is OK, but at least with a spare I have security with such an old engine.

Picture attached.

[BN]

The engine turns over by hand, not sure what condition it is in yet inside, but that is the next quest if I can lift it. It appears to have been an ex military unit to drive a generator, are there any ex military engineers out there who can give me a clue as to what it is and its true age.By the plate it could be 1965, which is a better engine than the 1959 that the boat age is.

There is a brass plate on it with:

For use with electric servicing trolley
AM Ref 4/F4257
?R Ministry reference No 42AK/1050
Contract No CTS/INE447/447/AC14B1
Contractor Houchin Ltd Date 10.65

[BN]

Spare engine stripped down now and appears to be reasonable, at least it turns over. Next is to open the sump, which has oil in it and see what the ends and small ends are like. I now have a normal manifold for a Zephyr 6 which will be for sale soon and a carburettor, plus some ex military bits, which I have no idea about.

After that it is engine removal time from the boat, subject to weather conditions and my flu bug I seem to have acquired, then strip down of boat. What has surprised me is that when I switched on the navigation lights, they all worked.

[BN]

So the engine is down to basics and it is useful to have a trailer with a canopy to work in. I can take the engine where I need at any time. Pict 1

The exhaust and inlet manifold have been removed and yes I have a new Dowty Manifold, just how lucky is that, they must be as rare as hens teeth. Pict 2
Notice the difference.

I will play with the carbs, but the smaller one is on its way out as I favour the bigger one. Pict 3

Finally, I tried to track down a set of gaskets for the complete overhaul. I found a full set in Australia, then New Zealand, but then in good old Milton Keynes, so sorted so far.

[BN]

I have now identified the jet unit as original and called the Chinook.

[BN]

As of yesterday, I have two Dowty's as projects  .

[BN]

Terrific steering arrangement of the Dowty. I especially like the protective sheathing on the chain to stop the power cables from being cut and shorting out.

[BN]

Anyone know anything about SERCK Metal Services of Park Royal, London who ceased trading in 1980, because my Dowty fuel tank was made by them. I think the year was 2/2/1965 number 34, any other ideas?

[BN]

I even have a steering wheel now, just need the boss and yes it is restorable.

[BN]

The steering unit is off and yes its broken, so a new bit has to be made. Anyone know the best way of getting bolts out of alloy when they are frozen in. Tried all the penetrating oils etc and heat, but not winning the battle.

[alastair_vns]

looks like you are making good progress with the boat.
Cant wait to see it finished. 

[BN]

looks like you are making good progress with the boat.
Cant wait to see it finished.  

Reasonable, but need an alluminum supplier to obtain alloy now to make the new brackets. The one in situ is as it should be, but the one with the white background is missing about 1/3 of the length. If I can get the alloy in short lengths, simply mill it to shape and replace.

The story continues, supplier located on my doorstep together with a machine shop who make bits for racing cars are on the job.

The pictures show the bar and it will be transformed into the bracket, which was originally cast. As can be seen the slider is almost a third shorter than it should be.

[BN]

So now I find that there is a groove in the slider on the reverse bucket assembly. Will have to mill the plate to smooth it off.

It is actually about 3 millimetre, but if it cannot be milled, I will build up with weld and then flatten it.

[BN]

Now heres and easy error to make. Nice restoration by someone, but the sliders have been placed upside down, which means the steering could stick at speed or the slider rails could dig in and snap off when retrieving to trailer of simply beaching. If you enlarge the picture and look closely, you can see that the reverse bucket is proud of the support by installing these sections upside down. See two post above for correct installation.