Gilbert the Gilbern - The Ongoing Story

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by MikeL

I need to pull the block forward, and perhaps lower, and somehow avoid a clash between the pump/bottom hose and the column. I have a pair of rams-horn manifolds and a tubular pair, I'm not sure either will fit and I expect I will need to get something custom made.

Are electric pumps/boosters allowed in your race series? When we need anything custom made we go direct to your country with no hesitation! Satisfied with this company http://www.tonylawexhausts.co.uk/ but you must know better and closer to your location I'm sure.
Yes, thanks for the updates MikeL.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Are electric pumps/boosters allowed in your race series? When we need anything custom made we go direct to your country with no hesitation! Satisfied with this company http://www.tonylawexhausts.co.uk/ but you must know better and closer to your location I'm sure.
Yes, thanks for the updates MikeL.

It is a while since I updated. I removed some of the inner footwells and reshaped them, I now have much better room on the near-side and slightly improved on the off-side. The GT footwell is pretty narrow. After many hours spent with the V8 hanging from the engine crane, and the box supported by a trolley jack, I finally found a position that I considered to be the best compromise and this allowed me the get rams-horn manifolds fitted, which is no doubt what it would have used in the day. I had new brackets made to connect the engine mounts to the chassis. It may be possible to have tubular manifolds made, I will look at that again when the engine comes back from it's re-build.

In the meantime I have been getting on with other odd jobs such as trial fitting seat and trim, it needs to be a new seat of course but other trim I want to retain.

[Peter Mallett]

Certainly looking good, but boy is that a tight space.

[delta]

Thanks for the update Mike. Well done.

[MikeL]

The Chevy GT in daylight for the first time in a while en-route to having the exhaust custom made.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by MikeL

The Chevy GT in daylight for the first time in a while en-route to having the exhaust custom made.

Looking very good.

[MGDavid]

Now that would be fun to run in the Spa 6 Hours ! If only...

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Now that would be fun to run in the Spa 6 Hours ! If only...

In the vehicle file there is a transcript of an article from the Western Mail dated 24th Feb 1965 as follows:

Welsh car - but the engine is American

A sports car designed and built in South Wales and driven by Bridgend's Ken Wilson, will be making a bid for race supremacy on British race tracks this season. The new challenger will be based on the race-bred Gilbern sports car made in Llantwit Fardre, near Pontypridd. Unlike the standard four-seater sports saloon produced by the company, it will have an American engine.

The project is being financed by Ken Wilson of Bryntirion Hill, Bridgend. Last November he submitted plans to the Gilbern company and they are now engaged on building a chassis and specially lightened body for the new car.

"I hope to have the car in two or three weeks time" said Mr. Wilson. The engine, a 4.7 litre Chevrolet arrived a few days ago. It was used for research purposes previously and has had nearly £600 spent on it. It can develop between 300 and 340 brake horse power and has triple twin choke Stromberg carburettors.

"The car will also be fitted with the latest E-Type Jaguar gearbox and back axle. By the time we have finished developing it we hope it will be as fast as an Aston Martin DB5 and certainly the fastest true four-seater sports saloon in Britain." Added Mr. Wilson, who also drives a BRM racing car.

The car will almost certainly appear in the South Wales Automobile Club Easter meeting at Llandow. It has already been entered for its first race on Sunday March 14th at the West Essex Club meeting at Blackbushe.

"I chose a Gilbern on which to base the car because it has a very strong chassis, and of course is a Welsh car." Said Mr. Wilson.

[justracing]

What a great project. let's hope we see it on the track this year.

[MikeL]

I'm planning to give it a shake down at the HRDC track/social day on 25th March and all being well the first race will be the HRDC All Stars at the Donington Historic in May.

[Peter Mallett]

Sadly, I can't make the track day so good luck.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Sadly, I can't make the track day so good luck.

Bit of a set-back with the Chevy GT, preparation was on the last lap, I went to start it for the first time last weekend and the starter took some teeth off the ring-gear. Gutted! 25th March now looks very unlikely.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by MikeL

Bit of a set-back with the Chevy GT, preparation was on the last lap, I went to start it for the first time last weekend and the starter took some teeth off the ring-gear. Gutted! 25th March now looks very unlikely.

Swine! What a frustration after so much effort, I was really looking forward to catching a glimpse at Goodwood

[grantp]

Originally Posted by MikeL

Bit of a set-back with the Chevy GT, preparation was on the last lap, I went to start it for the first time last weekend and the starter took some teeth off the ring-gear. Gutted! 25th March now looks very unlikely.

Exceedingly strong starter or rather weak ring-gear?

Either way, very disappointing but who would have expected that (unless the engine is rather "stiff"?

[Peter Mallett]

Well if you're going to increase the CR to 20:1 something has to give.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by grantp

Exceedingly strong starter or rather weak ring-gear?

Either way, very disappointing but who would have expected that (unless the engine is rather "stiff"?

I suspect the engine if stiff. We turned it over for about 30 seconds to build up the oil pressure, we then put fuel in, it turned over a popped a couple of times without catching then whirl from the starter motor. We took the motor off and it looks like it had only been engaging on part of the cog, looking into the bell housing we could see three missing teeth. We hand cranked the engine a part turn, put the motor back on, it cranked for a moment and then whirl again, either stopped on the same spot or more teeth missing.

Any suggestions as to who I should speak to about putting a new ring-gear on the flywheel?

[Peter Mallett]

I would expect any good race prep shop. What about Delta, or my mate Ken Clarke?

[Gerard C]

Worth a phone call? https://www.roadcraftuk.co.uk/
https://massracing.co.uk/specialist-engine-building/
Are you sure the number of teeth of the motor perfectly matches the ring gear diameter and number of teeth? As to the CR and engine being stiff, how does it sound when working?

[Gerard C]

About your issue, Mike, are you sure the starter motor sits well on the bell housing? Just a thought.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

About your issue, Mike, are you sure the starter motor sits well on the bell housing? Just a thought.

Yes I think so. It is a hi-torque type starter. The point about the teeth number non-matching is an interesting observation, it could be the issue. There is a limit to what I can see from under the car whilst it is on axle stands. I need to get it on a ramp, it looks like the box will come out.

[Gerard C]

I see, its something modern like Brise for instance, they are said pre-engaged here. With the old units you could have the fork pushing the axle/teeth witout turning the motor. But if the starter sits well and after checking the number of teeth, it will be possible to start the engine, three ou four ring-gear teeth missing is no big deal. No "visit trap" in the bell housing?

[Gerard C]

Last suggetion implies that you have to remove the gearbox, separate it from the bell housing, refit the last and check. Does this make sense?

[ridaow]

Are you sure that the flywheel ring gear matches with the starter ring gear. From your description of incomplete meshing it does sound like a gear mismatch. The starter motor specs probably say how many cogs there should be on the flywheel.

[delta]

Mike , not sure where abouts you are located . I’m near Reading . Would love to help fellow Gilbern driver . We can get your car on the ramp and have a look and see what’s going on . Past experience with starters and ring gears they can be a pain. Let me know.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by delta

Mike , not sure where abouts you are located . I’m near Reading . Would love to help fellow Gilbern driver . We can get your car on the ramp and have a look and see what’s going on . Past experience with starters and ring gears they can be a pain. Let me know.

I would love to, thanks for the offer.