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Trusty Steed - tractor with Norton engine

There is sometimes chat here and in Roadholder about these machines. There is one on ebay, ends tonight - 222386079356.

The price, particularly as a starting point, is optimistic.

I speak as somebody who has two - 1 restored and 1 part dismantled, waiting its turn, but not this weather!

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Hi Tom,

I notice there were no bids on the Trusty, am I right in thinking it had a motorcycle head not the tractor type? I have an engine for a Trusty, not sure which model it came from but it is the 1938-47 type 633cc 82mm x 120mm which I think they fitted after 1947 to the tractors. I did not want to sell it, but would be interested in swapping it for the 633cc motorcycle type. It is complete but has been standing and needs a rebuild. I am in Buckinghamshire if you know anyone who might be interested.

Regards, Richard.

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Richard - I wasn't aware that the Norton Big 4 heads on bikes and tractors were different, though I'm certainly not an expert.

I see from a reference book that 633cc engines were used in Big 4s from 1928 - 47, and 600cc from 1948 - 54. My 1954 Trusty has a 600 engine according to the V5C. For my other Trusty, the engine size is not given.

There is the Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Club which might help you re ads. Website: vhgmc.co.uk. The Club produces a magazine The Cultivator 6 times a year, editor Alan Rogers at cultivator-editor@outlook.com

They also used Briggs and Stratton and possibly JAP engines in Trusty Steed tractors, But the Big 4 engined versions are more highly prized - of course!

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Hi again Tom,

Thanks for the links, I take a passing interest in agricultural and industrial machines but my first love are Nortons! The reason I mentioned the head is that my engine has the fins running across the head, not front to back as per the motorcycle type, to direct the draft from the cooling fan, unless this engine was made for a stationary machine application ??Other differences are the drive side main-shaft which is several inches longer to take the drive assembly and the cooling fan and also the crankcase breather is moved to the front of the cases instead of behind the main bearing housing. I haven't stripped it down so I don't know if there are any internal differences. I have always believed the engine was for a Trusty but may have to re-think this if you don't recognise it as such. Regards, Richard.

 



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