DERBY BENTLEY HEADING FOR AUSTRALIA

1934 3 1/2 LITRE DERBY BENTLEY

This is one of our regulars.  The car is used extensively and serviced at least a couple of times a year depending on the miles covered.  It regularly goes abroad, driving from Scotland all the way, covering thousands of miles.  The past few years have seen trips to Croatia, Portugal and Ireland, to name but a few, but this year it is heading for a trip "down under".

Water pump stripped for servicing

We collected the car just before our Christmas break and have now carried out a full service which picked up one or two potential problems including a small leak in the elbow of the water pump, and the early signs of a points failure in the fuel pump.  Thankfully these have both been sorted out before they caused any major failures and the car is now getting cleaned and prepared ready for collection.
It is being shipped from Felixstowe and will arrive in Melbourne ready to join the Bentley Drivers' Club in Australia for a tour from South to North right the way up to the Cairns area.  We have put together a comprehensive spares kit, just in case, but hopefully this will not be required.  We often accompany cars and their owners on trips such as the Veteran Car Club's London to Brighton, but unfortunately we were not required this time.

1935 3 1/2 Litre Derby Bentley

 During investigation of the cooling problems this car was experiencing, we removed the side plates to inspect the waterways and the visible areas appeared free.  Using our bore-scope we were able to see further into the hidden areas where it became apparent that there was a great deal of corrosion and debris blocking the water circulation around the push rod side of the cylinder block.
This has all been cleaned out and new copper tubes inserted.  Raymond is now lapping in the valves before putting the engine back together.



Side plate removed from block showing some corrosion although
water was still able to circulate (small gap visible on left).
Main corrosion found on opposite side of block out of sight




Corrosion visible in the cylinder head



Cylinder head and block with new copper tubes inserted



Cylinder block



Raymond laps in the valves

DERBY BENTLEY 3 1/2 LITRE

Ready for collection



 The 3 1/2 litre Derby Bentley is now ready for collection following some work to the back axle, a new exhaust system, full service and MOT.  This car does a number of foreign trips so look out for her on the roads around Europe.