Re: The Eagle has landed. Repeat, the Eagle has landed. Pics!!!!!!
I'd be all about a turbine engine.
Future Fleet: 1957 Ford Prefect 1942 Buick 1959 Bugeye Project GLCOAT
The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Project G.L.C.O.A.T. → The Eagle has landed. Repeat, the Eagle has landed. Pics!!!!!!
I'd be all about a turbine engine.
It's ALIVE! Had it running for about 5 minutes yesterday. I tried easing the clutch out in 1st gear, and it moved. Later, when I went to restart it, I couldn't get spark. It has a custom 4 sensor crank trigger and 4 MSD boxes, so diagnosing it in sub-freezing temps proved difficult. Still no spark an hour later, and we were too cold to continue. It sounded loud and mean, but at least one rotor was misfiring.
video or it didn't happen! we disbelieve aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!
kidding! would love the video tho.
We tried to restart it to get video.
You can eliminate one MSD box and keep it handy as a spare without any power loss. I'm assuming the motors are locked together? If so and they're timed to TDC together, you can run the entire ignition off a 12A distributor, 3 MSD boxes, and 8 coils, or maybe even less. If you have more trouble with the crank trigger, let me know and I can give you more info and even send you a spare 12A distributor.
Since it has plates, can't you look up the registration to see what it was called?
Rotaries are notorious for flooding when you start them and shut them down without letting them fully warm up. Not saying that it wasn't a spark problem but since it's freezing out right now this could be a likely candidate.
It's ALIVE! Had it running for about 5 minutes yesterday. I tried easing the clutch out in 1st gear, and it moved. Later, when I went to restart it, I couldn't get spark. It has a custom 4 sensor crank trigger and 4 MSD boxes, so diagnosing it in sub-freezing temps proved difficult. Still no spark an hour later, and we were too cold to continue. It sounded loud and mean, but at least one rotor was misfiring.
Rotaries are notorious for flooding when you start them and shut them down without letting them fully warm up. Not saying that it wasn't a spark problem but since it's freezing out right now this could be a likely candidate.
Many a morning I sat with all four plugs pulled, turning the motor over and over until it cleared itself enough to run. I still miss that car sometimes....but not on cold mornings with weak apex seals.
-=Tom
It's ALIVE! Had it running for about 5 minutes yesterday. I tried easing the clutch out in 1st gear, and it moved. Later, when I went to restart it, I couldn't get spark. It has a custom 4 sensor crank trigger and 4 MSD boxes, so diagnosing it in sub-freezing temps proved difficult. Still no spark an hour later, and we were too cold to continue. It sounded loud and mean, but at least one rotor was misfiring.
NewbernD wrote:Rotaries are notorious for flooding when you start them and shut them down without letting them fully warm up. Not saying that it wasn't a spark problem but since it's freezing out right now this could be a likely candidate.
^^this. i'm willing to bet you flooded it.
Holy Crap!! I saw this thing on Ebay when it was listed and thought,"that would be awesome!" Then I got busy and never gave it another thought. I had no idea someone else from Lemons bought it until today. That is so freakin' awesome!! Good Luck.
I'd be all about a turbine engine.
I'll look around. A good helicopter engine can easially be mounted the an automatic transmission. Put a gear reduction unit (if not already equipped) and a high stall converter. You're good to go. Problem with noise though.
But the awesome would outweigh the loss of hearing.
Speedycop wrote:I'd be all about a turbine engine.
I'll look around. A good helicopter engine can easially be mounted the an automatic transmission. Put a gear reduction unit (if not already equipped) and a high stall converter. You're good to go. Problem with noise though.
But the awesome would outweigh the loss of hearing.
There's a small(ish) turbine engine regularly listed in the south NJ CL auto parts section. Just sayin.
There's a small(ish) turbine engine regularly listed in the south NJ CL auto parts section. Just sayin.
Problem with that one is it is a starter motor and not designed for sustained use. Exceeding 15 minutes run time can usually lead to failure.
Now if he were to find a APU from a C-130 or other similar direct drive unit. That could be workable.
Problem with that one is it is a starter motor and not designed for sustained use. Exceeding 15 minutes run time can usually lead to failure.
That sounds perfect for Lemons!
Riktor wrote:Problem with that one is it is a starter motor and not designed for sustained use. Exceeding 15 minutes run time can usually lead to failure.
That sounds perfect for Lemons!
Failure at 5k with a piston engine is one thing. Failure at 20k with a centrally spinning turbine is another. Granted it will undoubted be the oil seals that go first but it could cause the engine to sieze and shed a few of its blades.
Even one inch titanium blades carry a lot of momentum at 20k.
CowDriver wrote:Riktor wrote:Problem with that one is it is a starter motor and not designed for sustained use. Exceeding 15 minutes run time can usually lead to failure.
That sounds perfect for Lemons!
Failure at 5k with a piston engine is one thing. Failure at 20k with a centrally spinning turbine is another. Granted it will undoubted be the oil seals that go first but it could cause the engine to sieze and shed a few of its blades.
It's sounding better and better!
See if you can find a Rhinemetal turbine engine. Their engineer assured us they're designed to implode upon failure. Engineers are never wrong.
Speedycop, I'm the guy who came over with Mark the other week to take a look at it. I've been swamped with a ton of things but I will try to get you the video we took when we got it running for a few seconds with the starting fluid.
Sorry I haven't gotten it to you sooner, I haven't even hooked my camera up to the computer to grab it off of there I've been so busy.
Also sorry to hear about the kidney stone, I've had a few of them and they are no fun. I'm glad it passed and you're on the mend.
Thanks! I'll I had it running pretty well for like 5 minutes, and now that I want video of it, it won't spark. Arrgh!
Thanks! I'll I had it running pretty well for like 5 minutes, and now that I want video of it, it won't spark. Arrgh!
Spark is overrated, this just gives you an excuse to figure out how to make a diesel rotary...no spark needed.
Not that i had any doubts after seeing the Wartburg in person, but holy shit you're some kind of fucking genius, Jim!
I think he prefers the term Visionary.
has there ever been a diesel rotary?
yes there was a diesel rotary. It didn't work that well (sealing is an issue).
I thought in order to compete in a Lemons race, teh car had to be a production car under a certain weight. Does this THING hit either of these targets?
Don't get me wrong, it is awesome, but doesn't this open the door for homemade specials that are straight up racecars?
I can't wait to see it on track! (Maybe the shenandoah circuit!!!???!!)
I think he prefers the term Visionary.
I always thought idiot savant was more accurate.
yes there was a diesel rotary. It didn't work that well (sealing is an issue).
I thought in order to compete in a Lemons race, teh car had to be a production car under a certain weight. Does this THING hit either of these targets?
Don't get me wrong, it is awesome, but doesn't this open the door for homemade specials that are straight up racecars?
I can't wait to see it on track! (Maybe the shenandoah circuit!!!???!!)
This is a very special case. Think of it as an oddball exhibition car with special blessing from Jay. Your average homebuilt special aint gonna make it past Jay. But if you have something unique and unusual you can always ask for an exemption.
Also with speedycops track record (*cough* thunderbird *cough*) I think Jay is assuming it wont be on the track long J/K SC, you know I love ya.
Now tell me more about this diesel rotary, I was just kidding around. Man the compression levels on something like that musta requred magic apex seals.
yes there was a diesel rotary. It didn't work that well (sealing is an issue).
I thought in order to compete in a Lemons race, teh car had to be a production car under a certain weight. Does this THING hit either of these targets?
Don't get me wrong, it is awesome, but doesn't this open the door for homemade specials that are straight up racecars?
I can't wait to see it on track! (Maybe the shenandoah circuit!!!???!!)
The car basiaclly meets none of the requirements to enter the event....but! there is one thing it does have. It has the approval of Lemons just because of the spectical of the whole thing, and teh fact that it will certainly be uncompetitive for the win on laps.
The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Project G.L.C.O.A.T. → The Eagle has landed. Repeat, the Eagle has landed. Pics!!!!!!