Prewar V12 aircraft engine in a Land speed racer

[woz]

Here is a picture of the "flipped" air-cooled 773 cubic inch Ranger V12.

It has had significant modifications to the oiling system.  I made the intake and the two Holleys replaced the giant updraft Bendix Stromberg unit.

It is not terribly heavy (less than 1000 pounds) it has two overhead cams, 20 pounds of boost and sounds sweet.

I have adapted a Turbo 400 trans and am not sure what it will end up in.

The inertia starter works well but I am also installing a GM 24 volt CUCV starter for a backup as the inertia starters can be problematic and are kinda hard to find.

The engine and trans are approximately 8' long.  One option was to install it in the back of a truck ala Dunn's Salt Toy.  I know no class exists for a gas powered rear engine truck but in "AA/BG anything" we will be "time only" anyway.

We shall see what happens down the road....
  

[grumm441]

Woz
Nice
G

[lvsalt]

I like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SPARKY]

I guess, put a gearvendor on the back of that AT 400 with a 1.1 rear with some dunlop 32" tires would be music on the salt

[woz]

Here is another picture of the Ranger....

[woz]

I find this view most pleasing...

[woz]

Sparky, thanks for the information regarding putting our engine in a truck and running in AA/BMP.

I will need to confirm at some point the engine installation in the front with the number one plug location specified.  The firewall will need to be modified and the seating position moved rearward.  The crew cab truck is what I had in mind initially.  As it is air-cooled, I will utilize the grille opening for ducting to the engine.

I look forward to hearing any thoughts on the legality of such a creation.

Thanks,

Ron
  

[jdincau]

Woz
which model is it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_V-770#cite_note-Janes-1

[Dr Goggles]

and found to be unreliable with a tendency to overheat in low speed flight

might want to get a push start so as to spend the minimum amount of time at low speed...

[woz]

jdincau,

Ours started life as a V770-6 model.

They had a terrible record and they were in some really bad planes.  Look up the Curtiss Seamew for an example.  I read that an engineer, after seeing the Seamew said, "A plane that looks that bad can't possibly be any good"

The cooling is certainly something we will address regardless what it goes in.  With a box fan running behind it we have run the engine for several minutes getting it good and warm with no issues (with minimal load of course)

 Ron

[woz]

Here are a couple examples of Rangers in early drag race vehicles...


http://www.the-rocketman.com/rocket_cars/JET-FRED-SIBLEY-12_lg.jpg


http://nitrogeezers.smugmug.com/Photo-Collections-From-The/The-Don-Elloitt-Collection/Drag-Racing-in-the-Fifities/3911880_3zFF2/3/233713238_qAJku/Large


http://nitrogeezers.smugmug.com/Photo-Collections-From-The/The-Don-Elloitt-Collection/Drag-Racing-in-the-Fifities/3911880_3zFF2/2/233713244_DEYFV/Large


http://nitrogeezers.smugmug.com/Photo-Collections-From-The/The-Don-Elloitt-Collection/Drag-Racing-in-the-Fifities/3911880_3zFF2/2/233713252_XtroM/Large

[crusher]

Cool stuff.Fred Sibily got one of these motors.Turn the heads  around and has two 6-71 blowers mounted on top.I am not kidding i seen with my own eyes.

[kainzow]

Woz - do you have video to post?  Also, what are your plans on the reduction gearbox?

[woz]

The engine has a 3 to 2 reduction box that slowed the prop down.  The engine in an aircraft was limited to 3150 actual rpms so the flexplate speed is very low.  If it should ever get in a race vehicle, the reduction box can be mechanically reversed to provide an opposite overdrive.  Not easy like a quick change, but it can be done $$$$.  We will see what happens later.  Maybe video in the spring when we run it again after the deep freeze.


     

[Billqvist]

Thanks to all who replied to my topic.

I just want to give all an update of the project. The V12 hasbeen disassembled and reassembled and is now in good condition. Hopefully I can start the engine in December or January time frame. The body is in a final stage, but lots of work to put all the rivets (+1000) in place. Some work on the chassis still. The rear end is a quickchange, so I can get a fair top speed (the max RPM is only 2500). One of many challenges is to design the adapter between the engine and the Ford Truck (40´s) transmission. Any advice on the transmission or other pit falls. After many suggestions, the car have got its own name now. "Il Drago Ruggente".

I will keep you all posted when the first start of the Engine.