David Bracey

9 October 2014 at 22:35 #51024

Thanks Julian. I doubt the LG45 would get in. I am actually hoping to participate in my 1.5litre Aston.

Is the event particularly demanding on any specific areas of the car? Suspension, kingpins, brakes, etc.

David Bracey

3 October 2014 at 10:06 #51020

I agree also. The Rapide is the most beautiful production car of any make in my opinion. However, I drove one when I was looking for a new 4 seater when they came out and it definitely isn’t a family car. The passengers get thrown about like navigators in fighter planes. Which is why I bought the Maserati QP which also looks great and can be driven like an out of control firework or as a luxury taxi. I suspect the new AML Lagonda will be less of a firework but effortless to drive. How I wish….. Guess I will have the Maser for some time yet.

David Bracey

2 October 2014 at 17:28 #51014

More pictures here http://www.leftlanenews.com/official-images-2015-aston-martin-lagonda-sedan.html
I like the look of it and also the fact that it is the most luxurious car in the AML range. It seems befitting of the Lagonda name to me. I also really like the new Lagonda bonnet badge.

David Bracey

24 August 2014 at 13:18 #50969

How interesting. My car is 12054.

David Bracey

21 August 2014 at 11:55 #50966

Time to provide and update on progress with my LG45 engine rebuild.

The new block has been machined to suit the new pistons. Unfortunately the conrods supplied are the wrong size so have been returned to LMB for them to investigate how that problem has arisen and so things have stalled somewhat.

Unfortunately this now means that the car will not be ready for the Lagonda Club AGM so I will have to come along in a modern car.

Anyone else doing better than me?

David Bracey

16 July 2014 at 17:31 #50941

Hi David,

Robin tells me they are out of stock and he has no idea when they will become available. So, if anyone has one that they’ve bought and not used please let me know.

David

David Bracey

23 June 2014 at 06:18 #50909

Thanks everyone,

Julian, It is very useful to get your thoughts and suggestions. It is also quite reassuring to those of us with these problems to hear that you are so confident about the solutions. You have probably seen more of these cars frailties than the rest of us put together.

With my new block, conrods, pistons and oil pump and a proven working water pump it sounds like I have everything covered so fingers crossed. I will report back once all the new parts have been fitted and tested.

I will not be putting Evans waterless back in however.

David

David Bracey

17 June 2014 at 14:56 #50901

My head is now starting to hurt.

David Bracey

16 June 2014 at 23:45 #50898

A brief observation about Evans waterless coolants. I was at Brooklands last weekend competing in the Double 12 and spent a short while looking at a stand selling oil and coolant. classic-oils.net are a retailer of Evans and I notice that their website says about it: –

” NB: Not for use in thermo-syphon systems (ie systems without a water pump), as the lower expansion coefficient of Evans will stop the coolant’s circulation.”

http://www.classic-oils.net/Product-361/Coolants-and-anti-freezes-for-your-classic-vehicle/Next-Generation-Coolants/Evans-Vintage-Cool-180?

Now, I appreciate that our engines have a water pump but I don’t know that I would want to exclude any possible thermo-syphoning that might take place through a poorly designed circulation system.

Any comments?

David Bracey

16 June 2014 at 13:57 #50897

Hi James,

Likewise, I am sorry to hear about your own problems.

The circumstances that you describe for your engine failure are almost identical to mine. 500 slow miles since rebuild, steep hill 2000 revs, 60mph, 75 degrees C, loss of power, etc? The only difference being that it was No1 piston on my car that seized. However, on my car we had not closed off, or partially closed off, any of the side transfer ports.

I am not sure I understand if the Evans could have made matters worse but am open to any explanation. I knew that something was wrong because I was almost expecting it and so stopped pretty promptly. I don?t think I could have reacted sooner even if I had been using water rather than Evans.

I am pinning my hopes on the new block with matching pistons, rings, conrods, and oil pump all coming from LMB. However, there is clearly a need to improve circulation of coolant (Evans or water) so am really keen to understand whether there is a need to blank off ports or add a hose at the front of the engine etc.

David Hine?s very helpful workshop manual suggest a possible problem with the water pump bearings possibly seizing if they get too hot but as the pump is mechanically driven from the engine we can?t see how that could happen. I wouldn?t be against fitting an electrical pump if I thought it would eliminate a potential problem. Any thoughts?

Your 1,000 mile trial sounds like the perfect test and if you manage to come through that I am sure you will survive anything so please let me know how you get on. You aren?t going to be doing any running in by the sounds of it. Good luck ? plenty of us wishing you luck and are waiting to hear!

David

David Bracey

8 June 2014 at 00:44 #50870

Thanks Stephen, it has been a disappointing experience but I am determined to get it sorted. Can you suggest a modern design water pump that I should look for?
David

David Bracey

6 June 2014 at 19:23 #50862

I don’t think any boost to cooling of that block with those liners would have prevented this problem. Coolant temp sat at a steady 70 degrees C so under the running conditions I described the heat wasn’t getting away from the cylinders and into to coolant efficiently. I’ve spoken to another couple of owners who have had similar problems.
My car weighs about 2,000kg, possibly a bit more.
Best wishes,

David

David Bracey

19 May 2014 at 14:44 #50803

Thanks everyone – that is all very helpful. I suspect that my magneto is failing when it gets hot and that my distributor is an early model probably not best suited to this car. The advice appears to be that properly set up working magnetos are quite up to the job so that is where I will be heading.

Tom Dark Engineering have offered to refurbish my magneto while I wait – well, it’s a 2.5 hour wait – and another ex-member of the club has offered me a reconditioned one as well so I should be in business.

Thanks again.

David

David Bracey

7 March 2014 at 15:15 #50707

Dear Alistair,

have you resolved this Ace wheel disc issue? I presume so after all this time.

I have just finished restoring the inner discs and associated spoke clamps and am having new outside discs made for my LG45 so am now an expert! Happy to help with advice and photos if required.

David

David Bracey

7 March 2014 at 09:41 #50706

This is resolved now. Thanks for all help from the Lagonda community.