Random reminder

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 26

Random reminder

MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND

The reconditioned engine — a Jowett flat four, none of your modern rubbish — was causing its owner some puzzlement. A telephone call brought help. An hours work, though, brought no solutions. When the tappets were right, the ignition was wrong. When the ignition was adjusted, the tappets became hopeless. They stood there bewildered. Two and two no longer made four, not even a flat four. It was as if the flywheel and the crankshaft had come from two entirely different motor-cars. Hey! said the owner. I know what is wrong. The flywheel and the crankshaft come from two entirely different motorcars. He was right. Ignoring the timing marks, they did their own with a felt-tip pen. Ignition? Perfect. Tappets? Perfect. Did the engine turn over freely with its reconditioned starter and freshly charged battery? Of course. Did it go? No. ____

'lt coughed and spat and sucked and blew and would not go. They didn’t crank it or tow it. since there was ample oomph from the starter. The trouble had to be deeper, more fundamental. It was a bitter frosty night. They cursed and swore a bit and went home to bed. The next day they cursed and swore a bit and gave it half a turn with the crank and it went like a box of birds. But the starter-motor still stayed jinxed. The Lucas brand starter motor for the Jowett brand engine is identical to any other Lucas starter, of which millions have been made, but it faces the rear. It spins clockwise. There is a million-to-one chance that your reconditioned one does not. In such circumstances, a high-quality thoroughbred engine like the jowett Flat Four will simply spit in your eye. And lucky that it doesn’t start, too! Imagine waiting at the lights — lights change - through the gears - zero to 80 km/h in twelve seconds - backwards.