On Fri, 26 Aug 2005 00:28:54 -0400, "Morgans"
wrote:


"George Patterson" wrote

The web page says no; they intend to use original engines and other
systems.

I had read that there are no machines left that are capable of machining new
crankshafts. True?
--
Jim in NC

While I'm not a machinist, I don't think this is accurate. There are
not a small number of V12 engines still being manufactured today. Ever
heard of Ferrari? There is, or was, also a V12 being used in
Scandinavia for a fishing boat engine. And then there's the "Thunder
Mustang" http://www.thundermustang.com/ which uses a Falconer V12
and is still being manufactured.

I think that any lathe designed to turn out crankshafts could probably
mill something with 12 throws as well as 8. It should be just a
matter of telling it to make four more. But I could be mistaken, the
length of the crankshaft might make it impossible for it to fit in the
most common machines. On the other hand, there are the large
locomotive diesels still being manufactured so someone can still do
big crankshafts.

6 years ago our library installed an emergency diesel generator in our
new addition. It was about 350 cubic inches in displacement, and was
a V12...

Back when V12's were common in the automotive world, in the 20's and
30's, the auto manufacturers didn't seem to have a problem milling
them out with the equipment available then. Ever see a straight
eight? It's a looonnnngggg engine.

Corky Scott