Luvax Valves, Fittings and Pipe

[chris dancey]

I am currently in contact with ' Fiennes Restorations ' who are Rolls Royce/ Bentley Restorers with regard to Luvax Bijur valves, fittings and pipe. It would appear that a similar system was utilised by RR/Bentley in the early years and ' Fiennes ' are reproducing parts for the lubrication system. I have sent them a complete set of parts for them to evaluate, the valve numbering system is different and we are hopefull that a cross match/updating list can be produced, I will be in touch once a comparison is made. The RR/ Bentley set up was operated by a foot pump rather than the vacuum pump, just goes to show that Rover was certainly ahead of RR at this time. A friend of mine has a Derby Bentley and the job of pumping is left to the front seat passenger ....one squirt every hundred miles !!!??

Apparently all the threads are as original, so it won't be necessary to use conversion pieces ( as in the Interlube system )

My findings will be published in Freewheel at some stage when complete.

[MacKellaich]

Hi Chris well done on this I llok forward to the Freewheel article

[chris dancey]

The evaluation of the metering valves have been completed and it would appear that the two systems ( Rover - RR/Bentley ) are compatable. I have been in contact with ' Fiennes Restorations' ,...... all the valves ( Fiennes refer to them as drip plugs ) are equal in value, only difference is that RR valves have a parallel thread and Rovers are slightly tapered, this should not be too much of a problem, it was agreed that probably sealing the thread with a little PTFE tape would cure any problem.

' Fiennes ' have a dedicated test rig on which they matched the Rover / RR valves flow rates and discovered that the values of the numbers 00 - 1 -2- 3 - 4 etc matched, the only difference being is that Fiennes use a ' Z ' instead of an ' S ' in their numbering system...vis :

Rover .../..... Fiennes

SE1 ...../..... ZE1
SE00 ..../..... ZE00
ST1 ..../...... ZT1 etc, etc

Fiennes have an internal item code system for orders which must be used when ordering. I have a complete set of new valves ready to install on ' Snowdrop ' next week, plus some brass 5/32 " pipe and male/female fittings .... I will then report on my findings as to the fitting and any issues with that next week. Costs are £14-89 and £26-26 ( straight / elbow ) and the brass pipe is sold by the foot at £3-37 ( plus VAT & postage )...I was given a 2 1/2 % discount.
I purchased a set of the male & female fittings to test as well.

Once I have completed my findings I will send an article to ' Freewheel ' for publication. Thanks to Dhugal Hunt at ' Fiennes '

[chris dancey]

I have now completed the fitting of the new meter valves ( drip plugs ) from Fiennes and I can report that the fittings are totally compatable, I did not need to use PTFE tape as the threads are the same as original. I found that the elbow valves inlet side were slightly longer ( about 1mm ) but this causes no problems, the 5/32" pipe is very easy to form into the correct contours and looks identicle to the original. I am hopeful of testing the system this week using an oil gun.

[chris dancey]

Today I tested the system, by using Penrite Transoil 90 straight gear oil ( I use this in the gearbox and rear axle also ) and can happily state that the system is fully functioning and all new valves work a treat, there were no leaks on any of the unions and there was evidence that the oil had reached all meter valves, I used an oil gun to send the oil through as my vacuum pump is not yet fitted. So the system from ' Fiennes ' is totally compatable in all respects, the system i have fitted to ' Snowdrops ' chassis is brand new in all respects and I am extremely pleased to be able to report this. I will pass this on to ' Freewheel '.

[MacKellaich]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the work you have carried out I am sure the article will be of interest to all P1/2 owners I look forward to the Freewheel article.
John

[36t46s]

Re: Luvax-Bijur vacuum regulators

These tend to become clogged up and Rover recommended changing them every 10,000 miles. New ones are not available, so I approached Fiennes Restoration, who have re-manufactured most of the other components. Will Fiennes is a Riley enthusiast, but I believe that only the pumps used on Rovers use variable suction from the inlet manifold to operate the piston. However, rather than make new regulators, Will Fiennes suggested trying to clean them ultrasonically, as an experiment.

After numerous reminders he returned two cleaned vacuum regulators today (5.7.13). They had been completely blocked, but after cleaning they are now working fine. While I was waiting for these I decided to buy a James Ultra7000 unit from Maplins. This too has proved effective in unblocking regulators, especially when ammonia is added to the water. Ultrasonic cleaners work by high frequency vibration and I'd strongly recommend buying one, as they have many uses, including removing rust from small items.