Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft use

[newinertia]

Ok, so heres the back story- I have ordered a set of plans for the Universal Hovercraft UH18SPW, It is a hoverwing, or more precisely, an Ekranoplan. This Craft Flies over water in ground effect, and is the most efficient way to cross large bodies of water at a higher rate of speed than most boats. see below.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dcieCn9fvTM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I am by no means following the plans with the design or engine, I will be using the formula- however to create something a little different..... more to come soon my Triumph Brethren, will be focusing on the engine conversion with this thread and possibly in a year or six when the design is completed, we will have something to talk about!
Happy Riding!
Skip

 

[otherwise]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwC8MP6uOiQ

 

[CarlS]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

Skip, I am looking forward to watching your progress.

Kevin, that is one cool machine. I would love to have a go at it.

 

[newinertia]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

Ok, so I tore down the engine yesterday, I began by suspending the engine from the rafters so I could access all sides. I removed all engine covers, alternator, starter, and all wiring and intake. I removed the sump (oil pan)
and cleaned all the parts of oil and road grime, then rolled a table under it and lowered the cargo straps gently so I could roll it over to split the cases. I hope you all understand how terrifying it is to be (ruining) modifying a Triumph powerplant to the point of never being able to use it as a motorcycle engine again...... so I have been moving forward slowly and methodically, because a bit of carelessness could end in disaster for the project.
(tight budget) I have been following the Triumph shop manual with all of my disassembly so everything so far has been done with the same precision as Engle Motors would use. After gently tapping the bottom half of the case in just the right spot, it popped loose and lifted free of the crank, and countershaft that i then removed followed by the output final pto shaft. I wiped all the parts clean and started drawing the cut lines inside the upper and lower cases and chose a line that would leave as much of the structural buttresses that reinforce the housing to harness that precious horsepower. I started cutting the lower half first, so that I can match the upper one to it, so with the bandsaw I have cut the lower and placed it on the mating surface of the upper and then looked at the clock- 3am! I started at noon, so more tomorrow... and pics to come.

 

[otherwise]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

Quote,
"and pics to come".
Come on you have me on the edge of my seat, post them pics.

 

[newinertia]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

[video=youtube;WMDmjC3LgUQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMDmjC3LgUQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL[/video]
sorry- First vid upload ever....

 

[newinertia]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

[video=youtube;wxVGIzuo06c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxVGIzuo06c&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL[/video]
[video=youtube;1NoxBb0UEZE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NoxBb0UEZE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL[/video]
[video=youtube;nQcLHU2gveU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQcLHU2gveU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL[/video]

ok- i think i got it....

 

[The Seeker]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

Just a bit of board advice for you newinertia.....

See that little icon that looks like a strip of film? Click that and enter the URL of a YouTube video in there and it will embed. Regular HTML doesn't work here.

 

[otherwise]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

Thanks heaps for those vids. You're in front and leading with this type of project, I think most of us will be asking you the questions.

BTW, I had to copy the parts of the links between www and " then paste to view.

 

[otherwise]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

You are asking for input about using the balance shaft for PTO, do you think the gear teeth from crank to balance shaft are up to driving your propeller?

 

[CarlS]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

Newinertia, I have to agree; living here in Florida is paradise - at least in the winter.

Thanks for posting the videos. Very nice work. I agree with Kevin. I am way below your league with my meager mechanic skills. I will be asking you questions.

 

[newinertia]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

Honestly- no, the tooth mesh is approx half the surface area than the original countershaft mesh, I think im going to add a machined end to the left end of the crank, I have an extra drive line out of a yamaha waverunner that already has thrust bearings and a cush coupling that will take out the vibrations and shaft alignment headaches..... yep i think thats the way to go! only rotational torque loads, no side or thrust load.

 

[keystiger]

Re: Flying Triumph.... British Airways? Converting a Sprint 900 engine for aircraft

Uhm.......all I can say is .