Recreating History

Machining an engine from a 1903 Renault. This was engineering from a time when the automobile was still considered a fad by most and would never replace horse drawn carts.

It was a step back in time when an engine out of a 1903 Renault came into the workshop. This amazing engineering was developed at a time when the automobile was still considered a fad by most and would never replace horse drawn carts. How wrong they were!!

The challenge presented, was the fact that parts for a 1903 Renault engine are not a commonly found article! Here is a collection of photos of the machining we carried out on this engine...

		Original bores sleeved to remove 113 years of rust damage. 1903 Renault technology was very different to the engines of today. These cylinder bores are separate units which are bolted to the crankcase.
		Bores finished honed ready for assembly.
		The crankcase two halves mounted together on our line boring machine.
		The main tunnel was line bored over-size to suit new custom bronze bearings. The main caps were out-of-round, so they were firstly bolted to the crankcase and line bored to match the crankcase.
		These new bronze main bearings were manufactured to fit into the main tunnel. This picture shows the bearings prior to white metal application and final OD grinding.
		The thrust face after the final line bore finish.
		Centre main bearing prior to oil groove machining.
		Main bearing oil grooves. The grooves in the end supply oil to a slinger that directs oil to the big end bearing. Hi-tech for 1903!
		Final ground finish on bearing od.
		The bearings assembled in the crankcase ready for a crankshaft trial fit.
		Lower crankcase and bearing trial fit
		The crankshaft was ground for correct clearance and large radius for strength.
		Finished custom billet conrods. The conrods were custom made to replace the bent originals. Made in WA and finish machined in house.
		Finished conrod including white metal, oil grooves and radius to clear crankshaft.
		Small end bushes made in house and finished for correct pin fit.