Recommissioning Ariel Square Four 4G MkII

[graham brookbanks]

My 4G Mk II has been stored at the side of my garage since an engine rebuild about nine years ago. I've decided that 2020 will be the year I finally get it back on the road. I am seeking any advice I can get about how to re-commission it.

The steps I have in mind are:

1 Fit a new battery.
2 Drain the fuel from the petrol tank and the carburetor.
3 The SU carb was refurbished by Burlen Engineering when I had the engine rebuilt so I'm hoping to get away with just putting a few drops of light oil in the dashpot and checking that the piston rises and falls smoothly.
4 Remove inlet manifold and rocker covers and check/adjust valve clearances.
5 Check/re-torque the cylinder head bolts.
6 Remove air filter, rinse with white spirit and drain then immerse in engine oil then drain before re-fitting.
7 Remove spark plugs, put a squirt of oil into each cylinder and make sure the engine turns over easily and fit new spark plugs.
8 Drain the lub. oil from oil tank and sump and refill with new straight 40 oil.
9 Check primary chain case oil.
10 Inspect/clean/reset contact breaker points.
11 Strip/Inspect/Clean the brakes.
12 Lubricate all cables.
13 Check all lights.
14 Fit new tyres (It's always been fitted with Avon SM. Are there better alternatives?).
15 Inspect/adjust/lubricate final drive chain.
16 Put new fuel in the petrol tank.
17 Turn the engine over a few times.
18 Switch on, cross fingers and try for a start.

Have I missed anything?

Any comments/suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks

[chris.shearwood]

Welcome to the Forum. A couple of other things to do: Check primary chain tension and also gearbox oil level.

[roger.fellows]

Otto head gaskets - check detailed instructions on Drags' website for tightening if you don't have them to hand otherwise.

How many miles has it done since rebuild - are you still running in - do you need running-in oil rather than straight 40?? See other recent posts.

Check engine mounting nuts/bolts.

I can never remember which way to tension the adjustment nut to maintain primary tension correctly - the gearbox wants to pull one way under load - loosen pivot bolt before adjustment and tighten after.

Is there any need to remove the inlet manifold unless you suspect a leak?

Some oil down through the rocker boxes to get some to the cams before starting.

I'd be inclined to kickstart or turn the back wheel in gear without the plugs in until oil was returning to the tank with bubbles. Morgo might need priming.

Apologies if all this is obvious to you!!

One last thing - keep badgering me until mine is on the road

[JohnnyBeckett]

has it got sludge traps if it has remove them and make sure they are clean

[paul.jameson]

Point 14. Avon AM26 are a lot better than the SM variety, but have a modern tread pattern.

Do grease the rear plungers.

[Thoward]

Hi, how do we get at the sludge traps without stripping the engin?
Thanks

[paul.jameson]

You cannot get to the sludge traps on a Square Four without stripping the engine completely. But if they are not cleaned out your engine will blow up in 500 miles or less.

[Thoward]

Thanks, after how many miles would you suggest the engine is stripped and the trapes cleaned, 5000, 10,000?
Thanks

[paul.jameson]

The 500 miles is the figure for an engine full of black deposits once you change to a detergent oil (= all modern oils). Once the inside of the engine and the sludge traps are scrupulously clean and you have fitted an oil filter, 20,000 miles is a prudent figure before stripping and cleaning the sludge traps once more.

[Thoward]

Thanks, why once changed to a modern oil.
Thanks