Mamod SE4

steamman · Mamod SE4

Well here it is, The Mamod Se4 as seen on Ebay last Monday. The engine arrived safely this saturday and restoration started almost straight away!!!

The seller also provided some history about the engine. It was given to him brand new as either a Christmas present in 1945 or a birthday present in 1946. It was bought in Dereham, Norfolk where he lived.

As the Mamod SE4 was produced from 1937 - 1940 this engine must of been produced in late 1940, remained at the factory during the war and sent out in 1945. This must make it one of the last SE4s sold. This isn't uncommon as you could still by new Bowman models after their factory closed at many shops.

The boiler and engine was very dirty so I cleaned these parts with an electric wire brush and then polished. I have also given the paint a light clean and oil.

The only problem I have found is that the safety valve is stuck on the boiler. Any suggestions?

The Mamod SE4 as it looked on Saturday evening

And how it looks now

There is still plenty of work to do!!!!

hope you enjoy

Les

Have you tried heating it slightly, or spraying with a penetrating fluid?

Very nice by the way.

Mamodman123

Beautiful engine there!

For the safety valve, boil the kettle, pour the boling water over the valve then try unscrewing it by hand! If it doesn't come off then. Try a few light taps with something that wont damage the valve.

Just don't force it too far, these are soldered up well but the threads can break easily!

Is that a paint drip down the engine frame? Would probably come off with a bit of t-cut/white spirit

Steamed it yet?

Thanks for sharing, its ALWAYS good to see these engines

mj

Superb engine

If the safety valve is operational. Get it up to running temp, carefully let the pressure off via the piston ports & then the valve should unscrew fairly easily.

Sandman

Excellent piece of kit.

Just be gentle with that valve.

Nice and easy does it.

Les

Or you could let Reid loosen it for you.

shaygetz

What a beastie, a sharp looking machine.

MamodFan

Mamod type safety valve on that one, SE4's are more commonly seen with the Hobbies type. As has been said, try unscrewing when it is hot.

bessytractor

cracking engine, are you going to run it?

whats up with the blobs on the burner tank?

I envy you a lot!!!

Nick

I'm glad it made it to its new home safely. Have fun with it!

Wallace

That's great, and well done on your purchase

I can't really add to the suggestions of the S/V removal other than try all of them if need be.

Graham-Jilly

great looking engine good luck with it

Cranko

Great piece there , look forward to seeing it running

erikl

Great engine! Are you going to run it?

Nick

I think earlier he said he does plan on running it. I am really looking forward to this.

steamman

Hello every one, sorry I havn't replied, I been busy polishing!!!

I have tried to remove the safety valve but so far no luck. When the engine arrived there was still water in the boiler and I think the washer on the safety valve is sticking. we have tried to turn the valve gently but no luck. Also the water level plug turns in the hole, I hope we can repair it

otherwise the engine is in great condition and I do hope to steam it. I just need some new wicks

mc_mc

Welcome to the club.

I was going to suggest filling the boiler with boiling water via the over flow plug then putting a small burner under it to heat things up. Then gently try the safety valve with some leather wrapped pliers. But I see other people got there before me.

If that doesn't work a few cycles of warming up then cooling down may free it. Some WD40 left to soak in might help too.

Can't wait to see it run.

steamman

Thanks for the help every one, I can't wait to see it running

I know the engine does work because the seller steamed it before he sent it to me. He hadn't used it in over 20 years!!!

Minor1PJG

Superb. I'm sure you will sort out all the little bits & pieces - that's half the fun.

I look forward to seeing it running in due course

big d

can we have some new pictures

Mamodman123

Wallace

It's a bugger about the water level plug turning but I'm sure you'll get it sorted.

I have had S/V's that simply cannot be removed, no matter what I tried. Even down to freezing the valve to minus 40 cels with a special spray that also has a pentrant like WD 40, then boiling water. Nothing would crack it. My last engine was like it, so I just used pliers with a lot of force.

One thing I did try, but varying opinions on vinegar make me hesitant to suggest.

A MEC1 had a overflow plug that wouldn't budge. In the end I put some vinegar in the boiler, and sat it on it's end for 24hrs. The plug came out no worries.

tmuir

What I have done in the past to free stuck threads is to heat it with a blow torch to just below the melting point of the solder (Hard to judge) and dunk in cold water, after doing this a few times it comes free.
Be warned it will ruin any O rings or leather seals though and they would then need replacing.

Nick

Sounds like you got a small challenge ahead of you, Good Luck!

CCairns

It is interesting to hear that although the seller had steamed it, you cannot remove the safety valve or water level plug. One of these must have been able to be removed before filling up (unless he used the whistle for that).

Good luck with getting these removed and I look forward to seeing it in steam shortly.

bessytractor

the water plug could have a stripped thread if the bush is still fixed to the boiler. It happened to me on a boiler once, the thread will screw down ok until its supposed to tighten.....it doesn't!