National Motor Museum engineers have discovered cracks in all four engine blocks, drop damage and camshafts glued by oil in the restoration of the second engine of World Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp.
Dismantling the front engine has revealed more problems than expected in the latest stage of the restoration. Work follows the momentous start-up of the rear engine for the first time in 90 years, as crowds at last year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble heard Sunbeam roar again.
National Motor Museum Senior Engineer Ian Stanfield said: “This engine’s had a hard life and looks as though it’s been dropped at some stage, then repaired before coming to Beaulieu.”
He added: “We knew we were going to find differences between the two engines but the amount of damage we’ve uncovered, while taking apart this second engine, is creating problems and means it will be more time-consuming to restore.”
Cracks discovered in the four engine blocks were caused by frost, after water had frozen in the system during Sunbeam’s earlier life.
Weeks of assessments have been carried out, as well as many hours of soaking camshafts in a hot detergent tank to unglue parts which had been stuck together by Castrol R oil.
Ian explained: “Soaking has to be carried out for just the right amount of time, so the detergent doesn’t eat into the aluminium.
“However, the good news is that while piston rings in the first engine had to be replaced, we’ve managed to get the majority of those in the second engine out intact, so have a complete set ready for the rebuild.”
Other engine parts have been taken off-site to be worked on by experts at Marcos Motor Company’s Formhalls Engine Services, whose craftsmanship and unique skills in white metal bearings also helped with the restoration of Sunbeam’s first engine.
There are no manuals or documentation to help with the Sunbeam 1000hp restoration and while knowledge and experience gained from the National Motor Museum engineers’ rebuild of the first engine, both engines are unique. For example, Sunbeam’s two colossal 22.5 litre Matabele V12 aero engines each run in opposite directions.
Race to complete restoration
The race is now on to complete the restoration in time for Sunbeam 1000hp to be shipped to the USA, ready to take centre stage at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance in California in August.
The aim of the Sunbeam 1000hp Restoration Campaign is to complete the restoration of ‘The Slug’ then take it back to Daytona for the centenary of its World Land Speed Record-breaking run in March 2027.
Funds are needed to complete the full restoration project. Donations can be made online at https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/sunbeam-1000hp-restoration-campaign/.
As work on the front engine continues in the workshop, the rebuilt rear engine and exposed chassis can be seen by visitors to Beaulieu on display in the National Motor Museum. For tickets and details see Beaulieu | Home to National Motor Museum | New Forest, Hampshire.