Sylva Kit Car with GC Engine for Sprints/Hillclimbs

[matt36]

Hello Guy

My first post,hopefully in the right section!

I have just aquired a Sylva Leader kit car.The car is road registered but i would also like to use for Sprints and Hillclimbing.
The car is fitted with engine number 146,the front of the head has 125 and 146 stamped on it.
It came with a damaged twin choke which i have subsequently changed for Dellorto 40 DHLA carbs.
I have changed the cam belt,plugs and oil and it seems to run well.
Before driving it with enthusiasm i would like some advice please.

The car has a 4 into 1 exhaust,BP6ES plugs and a mechanical fuel pump.I will be changing back to a one inch cambelt which it had when i bought the car.
Will i need different plugs and an electric pump for racing?
Would it be possible to give me the specification of the engine?
Any further improvements i can make?
Thanks very much for reading my first post.
Matt

[Guy Croft]

Hullo Matt,

thanks for the nicely illustrated post, sorry been pretty busy hence lack of response from GC!

You don't need an electric pump if the mechanical one works OK. One advantage of an electric pump is that you can cut off the fuel pump lobe and plug the oil gallery in the aux driveshaft - it can hit no2 con rod if that shaft is not positioned ('timed') on exactly the right place (affects all TC engines with stroke 79.2 or greater). Plus with an electric pump (and you would want a Facet interrupter 'Silver Top' which will function perfectly without any regulator if the float needles are good and set correctly) the carbs prime up without cranking the engine for ages and you don't get any pressure drop in line betw tank and carbs that can cause boiling on hot days at altitude.

As for the belt I introduced the 1" belt to prevent the belt jumping on standing starts. However, the 3/4 belt will be OK if tensioned correctly - under 'reasonable' conditions. And my engines were never subjected to 'reasonable conditions'..

I would use NGK race plugs - which I stock being an NGK appointed Race Division distributor.

That's all I have time for just now,

G

[dflinkmann]

I would use NGK race plugs - which I stock being an NGK appointed Race Division distributor.

Oh, you are ? I will write you an personal message in some minutes :-)

thank you,

Daniel

[Guy Croft]

both GC numbers, sure.

The 146 block was originally build for one Bill Batty in the early 90s for racing in that car or one like it, and then the block was later bought by a guy called Wheeler. It's originally from a 124 Sport CC Coupe 1592cc

Not sure I have any other details.

GC

[matt36]

Hello Guy

Thanks very much for your reply.
The engine code on the block is 132B1000,in your book(p13) that number relates to 1756cc engines.
Could it be a 1756cc or did the 1592cc engines use the same block?
The pistons have a dome on them,very similar to the Venolia ones shown on page 106.
Presuming the engine hasn't been touched since you built it could you estimate the Brake Horse Power/RPM
i could be expecting now the car is fitted with Dellorto 40DHLAs?
It has a Mocal 13 row oil cooler,big wing sump and an electric fan.

Thanks very much for taking time to read this.
Matt

[Guy Croft]

Matt, hi

146 was defintely a 1592 unless my record is wrong - are you sure the number isn't 132B000? Actually on revisiting the engine codes I'm lost! Head off and bore and stroke check will nail it.

Presuming the engine hasn't been touched since you built it could you estimate the Brake Horse Power/RPM - no, sorry.

G

[matt36]

Hello Guy

I have attached a couple of pictures(sorry about the quality) of the engine codes.
It reads 132(small B1) then 000
Below this is 0544696
To the left is your number 146 in red.

As for the question regarding BHP I was just curious as I am having the car put on a 'rolling road'.
I realise not knowing the full specification it would be difficult to guess.
I will post the results

Thoroughly enjoying your excellent forum!

Thanks Matt

[Guy Croft]

Doh!

I'm all at sea with my records, what?! Anyway, 132B1000 is Fiat 132 1756cc 1975-77,

thanks for your very kind comments about the site. All members share the credit for that.

G