1953 Works Manx valve timing

See attachment

Hi Phil,

   Back in 1953, few people would have acces to this information outside of the Norton race shop and I doubt if any figures were put into the public domain. Subsequently a few engine tuners such as Beart, Petty, Lacey etc rebuilt these engines and would have made records, so you will need to trace back to them, perhaps through Summerfields or others. You could make an educated guess by measuring the the full opening periods and setting them around those of a production Manx short stroke. If you have the ex Harry Whitehouse machine, you may be able to contact Anthony Edwards, son of works mechanic Charlie, who used to maintain it.

Hi Phil,

Does the attachment help.

I have factory information up to 1952 and 1954-61.

Seems there is little information available for your engine specification.

Send me a p.m. if you would like to discuss further.

regards Ian

Do you have "500cc hints and tips" by Francis Beart? I can't remember where I downloaded it from...probably Nortonsingles site. I don't know it it's what you want. Extract attached. It does say "standard Manx cams". I expect you already have this but just in case...

I see the numbers posted by Ian are for much wider cam angles...both opening and closing much earlier and later respectively.

Extract from earlier posting related to ‘56 short strokes.

submitted by Gordon Jackson.

Data for your model 30:

Valve clearance in: .010", ex .020". Ignition 42 1/2 degrees btdc fully advanced. Inlet opens 47 1/2 btdc, inlet closes 70 abdc, ex opens 85 bbdc, ex closes 42 1/2 atdc. To check valve timing, set inlet and exhaust tappets to .004".

 I’m sure if you search the forum there are more nuggets like this.

 Data from 1957 book. Gordon.

Hi Phil/all,

   All the data in the public domain probably won't be completely accurate for this particular engine as there were most likely 10 or less made for works use only. These engines ran to more than 8,000 rpm and used a 5 speed gearbox. This, along with Joe Craig's obsession with keeping information secret and parts bespoke to works machines, will mean lots of trial and error testing to acheive maximum performance.

This is the first year of short short stroke (88x82) with oil cooled exhaust and weir carb.  The distraction of “the kneeler” and lack of established riders for the team plus the buyout by AMC makes it dynamic year for Norton.  That makes for a special machine you have there Phil.  
 

Do you have any history on it?  Amm, Lawton and Kavanagh were the works riders with a further machine available for Duke.  I wonder which one is yours….

Cheers

Jon

Hi Jon,

   Just to clarify, Geoff was on a Gilera for 1953 after his acrimonious departure from Norton the previous year. I guess there would have been spare engines in case of mechanical failures.

… but according to Mick Walker the Duke was available for non champ races but the three contracted riders Insisted he had a contract like them to ride, preventing his take up of the machine. I think Jack Brett also joined the team in 53.
Got to be a bit special, this machine though, hasn’t it

Best regards

J