AN ENGINE FOR HOMEBUILDERS

Wow!

Now that's what I was hoping to see.

Okay, maybe a PSRU using belts. But not vee-belts. There is two
examples of v-belt drives we can use to draw data from, the one on
the Headwind, another on the PL-4. Both call for some wizard
machining and both need matched sets of belts, in that v-belts stretch
and you end up with slippage. This was covered... 'way back when
sometime (and I've probably got the details wrong).

The folks at Valley Engineering (sp?) have shown us how to do it with
a cog-tooth belt... which may also apply to some sort of serpentine
arrangement.

Would a timing belt work? I usta have a Pontiac that had a belt-
driven cam...

I'm thinking more of the machining here rather than the belt, on the
assumption that a cog-tooth belt WILL work... the main question being
how LONG it will do so. Which brings to mind the mention of a rear
axel something. Turns out, the bearing used for a rear axle is NOT
suitable for any kind of prop-drive. Slow prop turns more than 1200
rpm whereas a fast rear wheel is something less than that. Kinda like
the belt problem... you have to keep changing the thing BEFORE it can
fail, which it will in fairly short order. Cost is probably another
factor that needs to be considered here, in that a bearing that WILL
hold up at prop-speeds is probably priced a lot higher than your basic
rear wheel bearing.

Then there's the problem of starting the thing. Direct-drive we can
tweak the timing so it will start at a flip of the prop. But put a
PSRU in there we've got to 'wind it up' to get it to the proper firing
point.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I wish I had a shop full of TATA engines to play with. There may be a
combination of cam & rod-length that can give a reliable 40hp at an
rpm most suitable for a prop.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Speaking of props, has anyone ever heard of one made from bamboo?

----------------------------------------------------------------

I've got to go. Zometa. IV. About a quart. Takes a while (drip-
drip-drip...) Then I gotta look at a faucet that is doing the same
thing (drip-drip-drip...)

-Bob

Bob wrote:
Wow!

Now that's what I was hoping to see.

Okay, maybe a PSRU using belts. But not vee-belts. There is two
examples of v-belt drives we can use to draw data from, the one on
the Headwind, another on the PL-4. Both call for some wizard
machining and both need matched sets of belts, in that v-belts stretch
and you end up with slippage. This was covered... 'way back when
sometime (and I've probably got the details wrong).

The folks at Valley Engineering (sp?) have shown us how to do it with
a cog-tooth belt... which may also apply to some sort of serpentine
arrangement.

Would a timing belt work? I usta have a Pontiac that had a belt-
driven cam...


snip
According to the Valley web site, they are using a 'poly-V belt'. If you
look closely at the pics, you can see that the pulleys are multi-rib,
not cog.
http://www.valleyengineeringllc.com/big-twin.php

Charlie

"Bob" wrote in message
...
Wow!

Now that's what I was hoping to see.

Okay, maybe a PSRU using belts. But not vee-belts. There is two
examples of v-belt drives we can use to draw data from, the one on
the Headwind, another on the PL-4. Both call for some wizard
machining and both need matched sets of belts, in that v-belts stretch
and you end up with slippage. This was covered... 'way back when
sometime (and I've probably got the details wrong).

I have a Gibson tractor that has 4 belts running the transmission. It is
not as much load as the 40 HP will put on the belts, but with enough belts,
the load would be close enough to work I think. I found that if 4 belts
were purchased from the same lot, it was well enough matched. The tight
belts would soon stretch to shed their load to the looser belts.

The folks at Valley Engineering (sp?) have shown us how to do it with
a cog-tooth belt... which may also apply to some sort of serpentine
arrangement.

The toothed belt has been done at high HP levels (over 200HP) and have been
shown to last well over 200 hours. My concern with a setup like this is the
expense and availability of the pulleys and belts, and the machining needed
to put the whole thing together. Not do-able, IMHO.

Would a timing belt work? I usta have a Pontiac that had a belt-
driven cam...

I think the belts on a timing belt are square profile, and the ones being
used in commercially available PSRU units are a rounded profile. I seem to
remember that the square profile belts wore badly, and got too hot to be
reliable.

I'm thinking more of the machining here rather than the belt, on the
assumption that a cog-tooth belt WILL work... the main question being
how LONG it will do so. Which brings to mind the mention of a rear
axel something. Turns out, the bearing used for a rear axle is NOT
suitable for any kind of prop-drive. Slow prop turns more than 1200
rpm whereas a fast rear wheel is something less than that. Kinda like
the belt problem... you have to keep changing the thing BEFORE it can
fail, which it will in fairly short order. Cost is probably another
factor that needs to be considered here, in that a bearing that WILL
hold up at prop-speeds is probably priced a lot higher than your basic
rear wheel bearing.

How about the wheel bearings used on those itty bitty trailer tires? They
turn a lot more RPM's. With a good oil supply (from the engine) they ought
to last for a couple hundred hours, then they are cheap enough to just
replace them.

Then there's the problem of starting the thing. Direct-drive we can
tweak the timing so it will start at a flip of the prop. But put a
PSRU in there we've got to 'wind it up' to get it to the proper firing
point.

Yep. Gotta have a starter.

I wish I had a shop full of TATA engines to play with. There may be a
combination of cam & rod-length that can give a reliable 40hp at an
rpm most suitable for a prop.

TATA?

Speaking of props, has anyone ever heard of one made from bamboo?

I can't imagine. Props need to be solid with no voids, and voids bamboo
gots plenty of! g

I've got to go. Zometa. IV. About a quart. Takes a while (drip-
drip-drip...) Then I gotta look at a faucet that is doing the same
thing (drip-drip-drip...)

You make it sound so tempting. I almost want to go out and get some for me!
;-)
--
Jim in NC

On Thu, 21 May 2009 16:58:16 -0400, "Morgans"
wrote:



I wish I had a shop full of TATA engines to play with. There may be a
combination of cam & rod-length that can give a reliable 40hp at an
rpm most suitable for a prop.

TATA?


Tata is a company in India probably every bit as big as General
Motors. primarily selling within India but we do see Tata trucks here
in australia on occasion.

Stealth Pilot schreef:
On Thu, 21 May 2009 16:58:16 -0400, "Morgans"
wrote:


I wish I had a shop full of TATA engines to play with. There may be a
combination of cam & rod-length that can give a reliable 40hp at an
rpm most suitable for a prop.
TATA?


Tata is a company in India probably every bit as big as General
Motors. primarily selling within India but we do see Tata trucks here
in australia on occasion.

On a recent trip to France I saw Tata on several industrial buildings,
guess it was truck distributors but cannot be sure. BTW Tata are also in
the IT consulting business under the name TCS for Tata Consulting
Services - one of the biggest, and that in a very big market.

On Thu, 21 May 2009 10:53:40 -0700 (PDT), Bob
wrote:



I've got to go. Zometa. IV. About a quart. Takes a while (drip-
drip-drip...) Then I gotta look at a faucet that is doing the same
thing (drip-drip-drip...)

-Bob

and then there's the prostate (drip-drip-drip...)

.....sorry :-)

Stealth Pilot

On May 22, 1:14*am, Stealth Pilot

and then there's the prostate (drip-drip-drip...)

....sorry :-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Stealth,

Prior to its active ingredient being synthesized in the late 1960's
the only thing in the in the Pharmacopia specifically for 'urinary
tract health' was Serenoa repens, commonly known as Saw Palmetto.
Even more surprising is that the stuff actually works (!!)

It is available in the herbal section at most pharmacies and health
food stores.

If you have never taken it before, begin by taking two 450mg capsules
twice per day. That is, 1800mg total. If there is no evidence of
benefit, as might be the case with old herbal stock or with an over-
weight individual, you may increase the dosage up to 2700 mg per day
in 450 mg steps with at least five days at each new level.

When you have evidence the herb is working you should begin REDUCING
your dosage (It is available in dosages smaller than 450), seeking a
minimum level that provides the desired result.

As I said, the stuff actually works -- which is a surprise to many
physicians, who seem to think all drugs come from the pack of salesmen
who flood their offices with free lunches, free tickets to what-ever,
and ANYTHING ELSE that will cause the physician to prescribe their
product, a sad state of affairs that would be illegal were it not for
the POWERFUL drug company lobby that makes sure this form of bribery
remains legal.

But you want to make sure you are taking only the MINIMUM amount
required. So be warned.

-R.S.Hoover

But you want to make sure you are taking only the MINIMUM amount
required. So be warned.

I have to ask- what is the reason for only taking the minimum amount? What
kind of nasty things happen if you don't go the minimum way?
--
Jim in NC