Gardner Engines: we take a look at Gardner pistons.

[@manfromthemist1958]

Hi Joe, you keep saying your not an expert, your depth of knowledge is absolutly amazing, thank you very much for sharing👍

[@andrewthomas7129]

Hi there. Another lovely little video, very interesting and most informative ! - Thank you !!!

[@paulbarker1132]

That takes me back. I used to work in the aftermarket division of Wellworthy, the main manufacturer of these pistons. The main idea behind the offset pin is to reduce noise when the piston reaches tdc and moves across the bore. Great video.

[@scrumpydrinker]

Interesting video as always Joe, if I may, a few comments. 1, taking the bores out to +30 was common practice, bus companies were notoriously tight with their cash and if they could save a few bob they would, the blocks would be painted black for standard and dark green for +30 bores. 2, To carry on from that, pistons would not only be obtained directly from Gardners but they would have also been sourced from other suppliers, Wellworthy and Hepolite springs to mind. Bearing in mind that on an LW the piston had to be removed by taking it down past the crankshaft and replaced in the same way. Gardner pistons had relieved skirts and were (relatively) easy to fit. The other pistons didn’t and consequently, especially the +30 pistons were much more of a fiddle due to the limited clearance between the crankshaft and crankcase. LX / LXB pistons weren’t affected as they were removed by taking them up through the bore, the conrods were 4 bolt big ends and were shaped so that the bottom end of the rod had clearance to allow this. 3, We had to be aware, when fitting a block and pistons that all the pistons had to be the same. Stores being stores, weren’t above dishing out a set of mismatched pistons in the rather vain hope that no one would notice. As for the horizontal engines I was given to understand by a Gardner work’s engine builder that the gudgeon pins on the horizontal engine pistons were offset 30 thou compared to the vertical engine pistons to allow for the fact that the things were on their side so to speak.

[@tangentgardner]

Ah, thank you so much for that Geoff. Super stuff.

[@alanmorris7634]

That was very interesting about the piston pin hole being offset to reduce liner wear. 👍

[@rolanddunk5054]

The way the offset pin was explained to me when I was an apprentice was that it reduced piston “slap”,reducing noise and wear

[@johnmacdonald8399]

Joe, as always, very interesting. Would the offset gudgeon pin have been designed to try to ease wear on the thrust side of the cylinder, and was this process unique to Gardner? Thanks again. J

[@garyrhodes7089]

Always interesting thanks for posting Joe

[@MGWilliams]

I'm curious what the difference is between the LXB piston and LXC piston?

[@stottybox3185]

I used to cut the piston skirt off the used pistons, to make ashtrays from the top half.

[@snowgorilla9789]

How much weight difference in a set would you allow, and would you grind off a little to make them even. If so where, a bit off the skirt, only guessing and curious

[@tangentgardner]

Nah, we would not mess with them. Sorry to appear unadventurous!

[@pepsibear4385]

Still never heard anything about timing chains, I used a piece of string around 2 timing case studs, to line up with the pop marks on the chain sprockets, this was the Gardner way apparently.

[@bimble7240]

"As always, I can't pretend to be an expert" . I would like to meet someone who knows more than you about these engines, Joe ☺

[@darrenfarrell-bn2cb]

Hi Joe I Have 3 Gardner Engines Here if Your Interested in Them , out Of FODEN 8 Wheeler Lorries and One ERF. In Perfect Running Order South of Ireland And Can Deliver.

[@tangentgardner]

Please email: [e-mail]

[@brianshields7137]

Hello Joe from Australia, I have had gardeners in all my boats from 3lw up to 8L3B and 6Lxb I have been able to find parts in Singapore there is a good amount of new old stock I've been trying to find the dockets for there address and contact details for you , I will keep trying cheers for now

[@tangentgardner]

You are very kind Brian. I'd really appreciate any help you can give. Best to email: [e-mail]

[@Iowa599]

The resolution is messed up…

[@tangentgardner]

Yes, sorry about that. I had lent my good camera to a family member.

[@DrZoidbergism]

This Video is really interesting, but the aspect ratio is horrible

[@tangentgardner]

Again, sorry about that. I was keen to get a video out, as I had not published in some time.