Bringing a Norman T600 Mk.1 back to life

Two weeks ago, I noticed a nice little boxerengine on a local dutch version of ebay. I mean, look at those pictures, who could resist that?




Following my shallow nature, I completely fell for the looks and made a cheeky offer.
To my surprise my bid was accepted and before I knew it I was on my way to collect my newest addition to the fleet.

I bought this Norman T600 from a gentleman with an impressive collection of oil cans (really, that was his passion). Interesting fellow, who had taken over the complete collection of a former private oil relic related museum. Apparantly this included a couple of stationairy engines, which didn't fit in his collection.

Now, I'm complete new to stationairy engines. In the past couple of years I visited the annual rally in Nuenen and admired those hissing and puffing engines, but I never owned one myself.
However, I do have two decades of experience with nursing old- and newtimer motorcycles back to life, so I thought it was worth a try

After dragging my precious freight into my shed, a victory beer and some explaining to my wife, I started wondering what to do now.

A manual was found online and I started doing the first checks on the engine. First thing first;





I believe this means that I have bought a Mk1, dating back to 1945.
The engine turns over and appears to have good compression. Sounds promising right?

The Wico ignition turned out to be missing it's coil. The rest of her internals looked miserable. This weekend I brought it to an oldschool craftsman, specialised in magneto's (and owner of one of the nicest workplaces I've ever encountered). He will be overhauling my Wico to it's former glory, or so I hope  

The carburettor in in desperate need of some TLC and the slow-running-device seems to do nothing. I really love to spend my evening hours to figure out on how it's supposed to work  

The first thing that needs to be done now leads to my first, emberassing, question; I would like to drain the oil, but is it correct that there isn't a drain plug to be found  

Hi Daniel,
Nice find. Good luck.

Never be embarassed to ask questions. We are all here to share our knowledge, experience and sense of achievement.
I've asked some real numpty questions in my time

Looks a nice example of the T600, the only thing that looks to be missing is the cowling, seems to have been often removed and not refitted, or removed in later life as people prefer the look.

StuartTurnerSteve wrote:Looks a nice example of the T600, the only thing that looks to be missing is the cowling, seems to have been often removed and not refitted, or removed in later life as people prefer the look.

I was told that the first series T600 Mk1 wasn't equiped with the cowling, however I'm clueless wether that's fact or fiction...
How essential is the cowling anyway? It was probably not only designed for it's good looks, I suppose?

They got a bit hot underload without, so fine for show working.

Hi Daniel,
Welcome to the forum.

Norman T600 engine number TL314

Supplied to a company called Vol-O-Pep on 28th January 1947. The date list you quoted was a quick guide that I assembled more than 30 years ago, it was only an estimate. I now have the post 1945 dispatch book and can date later engines accurately. The engine was fitted with a Wico A magneto and twin canister exhausts, both of which I see it still has. Vol-O-Pep of Leatherhead, Surrey bought quite a lot of Norman engines between 1945 and 1948. I don't know why, as their main business seems to be a tablet petrol additive to clean cylinders of carbon deposits.

All T600 engines should have cowlings for efficient cooling when run on load. If you don't intend to work this engine and only display it running off load at below rated speed then it will probably be fine without the cowling (that is not a gaurantee, but they are seen at shows running lightly without cowlings).

The slow speed running device was only fitted to the early T600 engines. The T600's are all Mk1, a Mk2 version of this engine was never produced.

Draining the oil - It is true that some engines were produced without a sump drain plug !! If one is fitted it may be on the lower left had side (either a brass plug, or a drain tube), or at the front right hand side (brass plug), or underneath the engine (brass plug). Have fun hunting for it.

Wow, Blue Cat, that is unbelievable! I never imagined to find out it's history. Thank you, very much appreciated!

I thoroughly checked the whole sump again for a drain plug, I can now confirm there's none. Does anyone know why the designers came up with this idea? I'm used to soviet motorcycles, they do also have their curiosities, usually due to a drunk craftsman or poor choice of material. Would really be interested in the reason behind this.

However, it appears that the only way to get the oil out of the engine will be to tilt over the whole thing, or to come up with some kind of pump. How inconvenient

Not unusual, I have a petrol lawnmower, six years old, that to get the oil out I have to tip the mower upside down.

Maryalice