BSA Owners' Club Workshop Discussions

The BSA Workshop => Singles => Topic started by: EDDIE SIMPSON on 14 Apr, 2020, 21:45

Title: b31 newby question
Post by: EDDIE SIMPSON on 14 Apr, 2020, 21:45
hi , i m new to the singles , took the timing cover off today [ 1958 model ]and saw the timing side(http://[img][img][img])[/img][/img][/img] oil feeds have no oil seals. are they missing or is this normal ?  also is there anything else to check before i try to start the engine other than the obvious .tappet gaps, points gap , oil circulation.
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: chaz on 14 Apr, 2020, 22:02
Looks fairly dry in there, I would give it a good prime with oil first, probably wet sumped
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: EDDIE SIMPSON on 14 Apr, 2020, 22:33
hi chas, i havnt fitted the oil tank yet and need a lot more  work before i fire her up.
should there be any oil seals or fibre washers fitted on the timing side?
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: GLENN on 15 Apr, 2020, 00:28
Hi Eddie, looks like the camshaft oil seals are missing fom the timing cover  -part no,   66-1923. 

I would also advise you remove the sump plate and take out the oil pump.  These usually tighten up after long term storage.  All the best, Glenn
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: Nanonevol on 15 Apr, 2020, 01:13
Why not download and study the parts manual?
https://partsbooks.britishonly.com/partsbooks/20-10194C.pdf
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: idie on 15 Apr, 2020, 09:28
The seals are available on Ebay.
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: EDDIE SIMPSON on 15 Apr, 2020, 13:28
thanks for all the advise. i want to avoid any silly oversights.
i have the parts manual saved but not always so clear. 
is the haynes singles manual a good idea ? been unable to find a genuine bsa repair manual so far.
it seems the oil pump is worth investigation before i start up?
who is the best bsa parts dealer for b31 s ?
many thanks
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: chaz on 15 Apr, 2020, 15:45
Haynes are generic, cover all years and often all of a style eg, C15, B40 etc. In the beginning they were ok for the home maintainence rider but based on car mechanics which often do not apply to bikes. keep looking for a genuine one, they are probably out there otherwise Bruce Main Smith probably do copies.
Oil pump!! ignore it at your peril, if its not working properly all that money you spent on crank regrinds and new bearings will be gone. I would like Morgo ones but cost three or four time the cost of an original.
Draganfly as normal for spares but others like Burton  can supply, often getting their stock from the same places
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: GLENN on 15 Apr, 2020, 17:51
I also like C&D Autos for parts. 

As for a manual, how about:  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BSA-Singles-Restoration-by-Roy-H-Bacon-Paperback-2012/192961792434?epid=112374627&hash=item2ced6b49b2:g:fB0AAMXQNo5TWh1T

All the best, Glenn
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: Blackthou on 15 Apr, 2020, 21:00
I recently bought the Haynes manual supposedly covering "the singles" and to be honest am disappointed as it's virtually no help at all. I will say that I bought as I haven't found Haynes manuals to be to bad previously.
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: Pete C on 16 Apr, 2020, 09:16
Eddie
Send me your email and I will send you some notes I have on the oil pump. If the timing side oil feed seals were missing I would be inclined to check everything to be sure there are no other unpleasant surprises. These engines are really robust but just because one will run it doesn't mean it isn't knackered!
There are many BSA Service sheets which cover most aspects of the engines.
cheers
Pete

check out thethe forum and technical sections of http://www.wdbsa.nl/    Primarily for M20s but a lot is the same as a B model

petercomley@web.de
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: EDDIE SIMPSON on 16 Apr, 2020, 21:25
hi pete, ive sent you my email address and thanks for the m20 information site. its given me some tips and i m going to remove the oil pump tomorrow
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: EDDIE SIMPSON on 17 Apr, 2020, 20:51
i took of the pump today and yes it was solid. luckily the body is in good condition and after i reamed out the spindle holes [1/4 "] it all turned well when bolted together. however,  sadly for me, further engine overhaul  looks on the cards. oil pump gear debris i was able to remove. but look at that horrible silicon and the rounded crankcase bolts. bore looked oily as well. no money to spend so the project goes on hold .
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: cdsdorset on 24 Apr, 2020, 13:47
Did you resurface the side plates on the oil pump? Pretty pointless rebuilding it if you haven't.
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: AdrianW on 25 Apr, 2020, 09:20
Eddie,

Manuals :-
I have the Haynes "BSA Pre-Unit Singles" , it's ok and useable for many tasks..
The Roy Bacon  Singles "Restoration" book is what it says, about restoration. Lots of nice photos if you want to get things right, a workshop manual it isn't..
I have an old (2003!) Draganfly Parts List - very useful, I am sure there is a more up to date version.. ! 
There were also BSA "Service Sheets", I have some of these somewhere, they are the original factory / dealer notes. They may be available online.

Parts - C & D Autos , Draganfly and various suppliers on Ebay !

Good luck with your project !

Adrian
Bristol UK
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: EDDIE SIMPSON on 25 Apr, 2020, 20:09
thanks for recomendations adrian. i am going to buy the service sheets as i have a online parts manual. i think the oil pump overhaul was time well spent as bits of piston ring and bore looked to be wedged in the gears. i will start a full strip later  in the week.
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: GLENN on 25 Apr, 2020, 22:48
Quote from: cdsdorset on 24 Apr, 2020, 13:47
Did you resurface the side plates on the oil pump? Pretty pointless rebuilding it if you haven't.

Just asking what are the side plates on the oil pump?  Cheers, Glenn
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: chaz on 26 Apr, 2020, 09:17
https://www.draganfly.co.uk/index.php/bsa/bsa/a710--b3133--c101112--m202133/category/893-oil-pump
the plates are not available from Draganfly but normally steel and when the gears rotate they can wear circles in the plates. a sheet of flat glass  and fine emery cloth worked on the face can flatten them if surface grinders not available.
applies to other oil pumps as well as the flange face that mounts with a gasket to the case..
Title: Re: b31 newby question
Post by: GLENN on 26 Apr, 2020, 09:33
I see - the oil pump top and bottom plates. Also, in my experience when rebuilding the oil pump the gears will need lapped into the Mazak housing as you will probably see 'swelling' below the gear that will force the gears into the top and bottom plates whe the oil pump bolts are tightened.  Cheers, Glenn