Coventry Victor

Nasher · 28 May 2009, 20:24

Thought some of you would like to see this interesting piece of kit.

It is a Coventry water-cooled flat ‘Boxer’ twin with an Aluminium integrated fuel tank on top that hinges back for access.

It looks like it has been taken from a mobile pump unit or similar application.
It could have had military, civil aviation or marine use.

I brought it from ebay just a few days ago to use in my canoe project, but I discovered it’s too wide, and the crankshaft centre height is too high for my application. The ebay seller didn't really have a clue, and I was hoping it was a Coventry Victor Minor, and it turned out to be a Major.

It’s a shame really, as it’s an interesting piece of kit that if I had more time and space I’d have liked to have kept and spent some time on.
So it's going back on ebay very soon unless somebody on here wants it at a reasonable price.

The block itself is in reasonable condition, and by turning the Flywheel or the Starting Handle Mechanism there appears to be plenty of compression.
It has been stored with the plugs in, and turns over smoothly, so I can’t envisage any internal problems.
The exhaust silencer appears in good condition externally

Unfortunately there are some bad bits.
It appears not to have been used in quite a while, so all the little brass taps for fuel and cooling water need freeing off.
The Magneto is completely missing but should be readily available.
The carburetor is all there, and moves freely enough, however it’s a bit dirty/corroded and will need stripping and refurbishing.
The fuel pipes are perished and broken but are easily replaced.
The cap to the fuel tank is seized in place, and is badly corroded.

Generally the block is in good nick, but the ancillaries need some TLC.

Interestingly It's obviously water cooled, but I can't find the water inlet.

All this means I am still on the look out for a Coventry Victor Minor, or even a British motor boat company ‘Mariner’ with right angle gearbox on the bottom.
If you have one, or any other small water-cooled boxer twin please let me know.

Nasher

Nasher · 02 June 2009, 19:42

I'm trying not to fiddle with this engine too much as it's up on ebay and I'm scared of stripping a thread or something as its a bit corroded.

However I had a play today and discovered some serial numbers, plus that it was once dark green with some stenciled on white lettering, so I'm now assuming it was MOD before being painted light blue.

I'd assumed it was a two stroke, but something didn't stack up, so I removed the covers on the top of the barrels, and found it's actually a side valve 4-stroke.

Nasher

Sailmaker · 03 June 2009, 10:48

Hi Nasher
Might be being a bit obvious but have you contacted the Coventry Victor people?

http://www.coventryvictor.free-online.co.uk/index.html

They might even know of an engine somwhere.

Nasher · 03 June 2009, 11:45

Sailmaker Hi, hope you are well.

For some reason that link is being blocked as 'Unsuitable content' by my work internet access so I'll have a look later at home.
I think it's one I've tried, but did't get a reply.

Coventry are still lised as an engine manufacturer, registered on the isle of Wight, but over the last year I've emailed a few times, and sent a letter with no reply. I've tried to call loads of times at all different times of the day and only ever get an answerphone.

Nasher.

chewy · 03 June 2009, 11:52

Here you go mate:

14 Node Close,
Ryde,
Isle Of Wight
PO33 3HL, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 8449 333563
Voip: **448 08449 333563
Email:info@coventryvictor.idps.co.uk

Nasher · 03 June 2009, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Here you go mate:

14 Node Close,
Ryde,
Isle Of Wight
PO33 3HL, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 8449 333563
Voip: **448 08449 333563
Email:info@coventryvictor.idps.co.uk

Yep, thats the people I've written to, emailed, and phoned at all different times of day, and never had a reply.

Nasher.

m chappelow · 03 June 2009, 12:37

mod used them on all sorts from fire pumps ,generators ,and a lot of the navys whaler /and liberty boats had them ,

bedajim · 03 June 2009, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Yep, thats the people I've written to, emailed, and phoned at all different times of day, and never had a reply.

Nasher.

A few mentions on here

http://www.oldmarineengine.com/index.html