Packard (Rolls-Royce) Merlin 224 Clean up

[daveymac82c]

Hi Gang,

Somewhat recently I've been spending my Tuesdays out at the Canadian Museum of Flight, at Langley Airport, BC.

Every Tuesday is volunteer day, where a good two dozen eager volunteers show up and take on whatever projects and/or tasks that need to get done.

My first day back to the volunteering world I helped put sealing tape in the gaps of the ailerons of our 1930 Waco INF, which will probably make it's first post restoration flight when the weather gets better. That was a fairly simple task, so when it was completed I walked around the museum to see what else I could do.

I came across a Packard (Rolls-Royce) Merlin 224 and figured I'd take a shot at cleaning it up, seeing as how it was looking really grimy and dirty.

The story of how the CMF acquired the engine is an interesting one, and maybe some of you out there can fill in the names.

There was a gentleman from the East Coast of the USA who contacted us about getting an aileron off of our static display DH100 Vampire for use on his flyable example. In return he gave us a non-airworthy aileron off of his Vamp, and then asked if there was anything we could use at the museum. Our Executive Director responded that "We have an old Roll-Royce Merlin that we could use some parts for to make it more displayable." In response the gentleman said, "How about I send you a Merlin that I've got?" Who were we to argue, so very soon after, a Merlin showed up at our doorstep. Sadly, relatively soon after we received the engine we learned that the gentleman had an engine failure in his Vampire and it was written off. (Can anyone remember his name?)



The above image was taken a short while into the clean-up. I began working on it with soapy water, a rag, and a scotch-brite pad. It was slow work, but I was making progress.

The next week I got a hint from Dave Beales, a CMF pilot and airplane owner. He suggested I use solvent made of Varsol and Mulsinex. It worked like a dream, and combined with the use of a toothbrush, work carried on much faster!

As I cleaned up the old engine I started becoming familiar with the motor, it's components, and all the little "accessories" attached to it. It was a real learning experience. I kind of got inspired to see if I could eventually get it to ground running condition. There are a number of parts missing, but I checked out a maintenance manual for the Merlin 224 from the CMF library, so I could learn more about it, and see exactly what parts are missing, and potentially track some down.

For those that don't know, the Merlin 224, was a Canadian built example of the engine, with a two-speed, single stage supercharger. This specific engine was used on the Avro Lancaster Mk X.

Below are some more pictures of the work that I did on the engine. I mentioned it was kinda grimy. Some sections were really filthy, as if it had lived in a barn for a while.


















I hope you all enjoyed my story. It certainly was fun working on it. Does anyone know a good source for Merlin parts? And does anyone out there have experience with restoring engines to ground-running condition?

Peace,

David M
Vancouver, BC

[robkamm]

Looks great. I build up engines for ground running. never did a merlin though

[Richard W.]

Thank you for the photos.

I'm curious about the "A.A.F. serial number" on the engine. Does it stand for [US} Army Air Force?

[peter]

What a great story.. If you are serious about getting it ground running if you send me your email address I can put you in touch wit h someone..

[Lightjug]

Very cool. I wish you good luck in your endeavour!

[51fixer]

Thank you for the photos.

I'm curious about the "A.A.F. serial number" on the engine. Does it stand for [US} Army Air Force?

AAF would be Army Air Force.
W on the S/N could be a War Dept order for supplying To Lend Lease partner countries.
The 224 was an US Packard built Merlin 24.

[Richard W.]

Thank you for the photos.

I'm curious about the "A.A.F. serial number" on the engine. Does it stand for [US} Army Air Force?

AAF would be Army Air Force.
W on the S/N could be a War Dept order for supplying To Lend Lease partner countries.
The 224 was an US Packard built Merlin 24.

I see now- Thanks.

[BAJ]

Hi daveymac82c,

1stly as a volunteer congratulations for having the "get up and go" to make a start on preserving the Merlin.

Here at HARS we have two RR Merlin 25's out of Mosquitoes brought into Australia during WW11.

Both had no known history when we got them. However,by contacting the Rolls Royce Heritage Trust with all the engine ID numbers we obtained manufacturing dates etc.The Rolls Royce Heritage Trust were incredibly helpful.

Their Chief Curator is Mr Peter Collins at:

*email address removed by WIXMOD-Baker to avoid spam. Please contact the poster by PM to get the address*

Make sure after you clean up and polish any metal that you clear coat it with some lacquer.

Your tappet covers look to be a nice fine cast finish and should grit/sand blast up beautifully to a nice aluminum finish. (Making sure that any engineers supervising you are comfortable with that)

Baj

[b29flteng]

Help Needed

Rolls-Royce Merlin Book

The Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust is putting together a book about the Merlin engine. We would like to include a list of surviving engines, and to this end any help would be appreciated.

All that is required is the mark and serial number of the engine, be it airworthy, on display, in a museum aircraft or in private ownership. Engines must be complete or substantially complete - no wrecks. All marks are eligible for engines made in the UK, USA and Australia.

We hope to collect serial numbers of all Packard Merlins, including the -3, -7 and -9s, etc., in Mustangs/museums/privately owned (even those built by Continental). Any such knowledge about Merlins other than those in USA/Canada would also be helpful.

If anyone would like to provide me with such details they can e-mail me through (hx@enginehistory.org)

Dave Birch, Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust


A friend I know has the first 224 built sitting in an engine shipping crate, David Birch was quite helpful.

[ZRX61]

Mulsinex?

[m charters]

Gentlemens name you are looking for is Al Reuben who owned the Vampire. Was Canadian owned and us registered. Was based in Batavia and the engine failed at Rochester I believe. I got the call about the aileron and referred them to you guys. The late Carl Vernon was a friend of mine and he flew and worked on the plane and contacted me.
I saw your 224 when we were there in the fall. A nice museum and an interesting collection of aircraft and bits and pieces.

[groundpounder]

Your tappet covers look to be a nice fine cast finish and should grit/sand blast up beautifully to a nice aluminum finish. (Making sure that any engineers supervising you are comfortable with that)



Dave, whatever you do don't glass bead (sandblast) the rocker covers or any other of the engines internal parts. Try to keep away from it all together. Just when you think that you have gotten rid of it all, another few grains will appear from nowhere and work their way into your engine, ruining everything they come in contact with. Stripper, steel wool, heat guns, 3m pads and solvent are much safer alternatives.

[ZRX61]

Your tappet covers look to be a nice fine cast finish and should grit/sand blast up beautifully to a nice aluminum finish. (Making sure that any engineers supervising you are comfortable with that)



Dave, whatever you do don't glass bead (sandblast) the rocker covers or any other of the engines internal parts. Try to keep away from it all together. Just when you think that you have gotten rid of it all, another few grains will appear from nowhere and work their way into your engine, ruining everything they come in contact with. Stripper, steel wool, heat guns, 3m pads and solvent are much safer alternatives.

The engine doesn't appear it's going to be a runner so any cleaning methods should be ok. Those valve covers look just fine as they are though.

[peter]

Nooo...! Do not under ANY circumstances let one grain of sand blasting grit near that engine nor steel wool for that matter.. A good clean down with a degreasing agent and water rinse after sealing up any openings exhaust ports etc is fine.. The rocker covers are fine just the way they are and do not look right being polished IMHO.

[bdk]

I wouldn't let water near it either. Stoddard solvent or kerosene with a plastic brush would be best.