Man successfully revives unused 70-year-old Rolls-Royce engine
- The 70-year-old engine is a Rolls-Royce ‘B-Range’ engine
- The engine was developed specifically for military vehicles
- It’s a 2.8-liter, four-cylinder engine, putting out 80 hp
Published on Jun 26, 2024 at 3:41 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jun 28, 2024 at 1:30 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
This guy bought a 70-year-old Rolls-Royce engine that has never been used.
The engine in question was manufactured in 1954, put in a box, and no one has used it since.
Amazingly, he managed to get it running.
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Rolls-Royce makes all kinds of engines for all kinds of vehicles, including aircraft.
Through the years, Rolls-Royce engines have been used for just about any vehicle you can think of, from odd motorcycle prototypes to hydrogen engines for futuristic jets.
They also make engines for military vehicles, which is what you’re seeing here.
The story behind Rolls-Royce ‘B Range’ engines
In the 1940s, Rolls-Royce began developing new military engines known as the ‘B Range’ engines.
The company built five different versions.
The mid-range engines, so to speak, were known as B60 and B61, a 4.3- and 4.9-liter inline-six respectively.
Then they made the 5.7-liter, 160-horsepower B80 and 6.5-liter, 185-horsepower B81, for even larger trucks.
Lastly, they also made the B40, a 2.8-liter inline-four engine, putting out only 80 horsepower.
This was the smallest military engine they made, and it’s also the one you’re seeing here.
Starting a 70-year-old engine
A YouTuber who goes by Pacific Northwest Hillbilly bought a brand-new B40.
According to what he says in the video, the engine was manufactured in 1954, put in the box, and sort of abandoned for 70 years.
The engine never ran but something clearly must’ve happened at some point, because the original carburetor was gone.
Amazingly, in order to start the engine, the YouTuber didn’t really have to do much.
He just added a new carburetor, fuel, clean and fresh oil and (Billy) Bob’s your uncle, the engine started right away.
Imagine trying to start an electric motor 70 years from now.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
