The Art of the B Series.

[Seth]

Please forgive me for this self-indulgent thread. I have always liked the look of complete engines, all shiny and new, on a stand just waiting to be slotted under the bonnet of something interesting. This book sits on my shelf at home and is often thumbed through.

Since I might never have an excuse to do it again, a mini project within the works on my Morris has been to put together just such an assembly and then take some nice photos of it. Today I finally reached that benchmark so I took the engine to Venice to get some shots with a sympathetic background. (Not really)

































As boat anchors go, I'm quite proud of it.

[Rich G]

Love those braided inginiton leads and the colour of the block! :-)

[courseout]

Fantastic photos! You have inspired me to do something similar when the engine comes out of my car for a freshen later in the year. I might even clean it, who knows...

I love what you've done here, I have spent a lot of time stepping over, swearing at and pleading with engines, but its rare to view one purely as a work of art, clean and shiny and full of potential. I do believe I am getting a bit giddy

[The Jackeria]

Looks fantastic, and I totally agree (I also bought that book!)

[georgeb]

Funny I was just looking at the Jaguar XK engine as a feature in the Ronart thread, now this. Lovely stuff.

I'd love to do the same, but would really rather not have a need to remove my engine!

[SmokeEm]

Great photo's!

I am the same, engines are a work of art.

I am good friends with the legendary Harris family (Ford engine specialists) so I get to see a lot of their builds for customers. Automotive Porn!!

[EmDee]

Always love a Seth photo.

You may consider yourself forgiven.

[adam73bgt]

That looks great I hope mine looks as good once it comes out and gets a good going over..

I shall have to have a read back through your thread to see what that alternator is off as I could likely do with a smaller one as well!

[PHUQ]

Lovely stuff Seth- something to aspire to

[kevfromwales]

Needs moar oily gunge

Only joking, looks great seff

[taurus]

Very nice - very nice indeed.

However, I had just weaned myself off the idea of doing an engine build just for the hell of it, and now you've gone and started me off again. My missus is not going to be pleased with you.

[WillCarter]

Absolute class. I'd expect nothing less from you Seth.

[Seth]

Thank you all for the kind words. Happy if it inspires others to do the same as then I'll have more, different, engine pics to look at!

Apr 7, 2015 20:08:56 GMT Rich G said:

Love those braided inginiton leads and the colour of the block! :-)

HT leads are modern carbon cored lead covered with old style fabric by AES. I had to get a minimum quantity done when I was making the Mazda/Herald swap look period so I've got left over from that. The colour is a RAL code (telegrey 2), made up in engine enamel by Ken & Lyn. The paint I bought from them for the Hillman's engine is still looking good and has far outlasted any propriety 'engine paint' I've bought over the years from motor factors.

Apr 8, 2015 10:48:06 GMT adam73bgt said:

I shall have to have a read back through your thread to see what that alternator is off as I could likely do with a smaller one as well!

It's a Nippon Denso one that was I think from a Deawoo or similar small car. I had to cobble together brackets to raise the old Lucas alternator so it cleared the steering box. This is tucked in nice and tight so should have plenty of room and sits much lower.

Apr 8, 2015 12:11:37 GMT kevfromwales said:

Needs moar oily gunge

I'm sure that will come!

[ToolsnTrack]

The internal combustion engine has had over a century of development, from the furthest corners if the world, in as many configurations as you can imagine and more. It is the definition of function over form by concept, and yet in its lifespan has evolved into such precise, exquisite engineering beauty that it is by default a work of art.

It should be savoured, it should be admired, and it should be respected. It is one if few things in the world that have both expanded the human race, and jeapeodised it's existence. The simple principle of suck, squeeze, bang, blow has defined generation after generation.

As such, please... Snap away.

[Amazosan]

Ain't it great that we have a fine art backdrop in the Dungeon? Hopefully, there will be an 'art of the BMW M20' post from me to follow.

[vanpeebles]

Can't beat the B, here is a pic of mine:

[Nathan]

I do miss mine at times I have to admit.