Reply To: Hello everyone.

[ChrisParticipant]

Hi Ian

The original (e.g. Perfo) engine has white metal “Babbitt” bearings which, when they wear out, need to be remade by specialists, unlike the later 11D and ID engines which have shells for all the bearings. There is no oil filter so bearing damage is almost inevitable at some point. The ID engine also has a higher capacity oil pump than the earlier engines. I think these are the key differences as fas as maintenance are concerned. I would not say it is “much” easier as it still needs frequent oil changes.

My own 1951 Normale had a Perfo engine which was, I believe, rebuilt before I bought it 29 years ago. It gave me no trouble until a couple of years ago when one of the big end bearings picked up and failed. Knock, knock, knock…

You can buy a complete set of crankshaft and conrods from Pat2D to convert a Perfo engine to shell bearings and I was thinking of going down that road, but then I was offered an ID engine, minus its head and flywheel. I took that route instead so now I have the benefit of the shell bearings and uprated oil pump. So far so good. I still have the Perfo engine and one way or another will fix it up at some point, probably…

Chris