17 ft Aitchison copy

[sje]

Cant do much today mothers day and all that. I have always wanted to be able to start and run the motor with the unit connected and out of the water. I am going to fit sealed bearings in the stator(s) but the carbon shaft seals shouldnt be run dry either. I had a special seal made and then made a plastic seal carrier and a sleave for the shaft. I fitted an oring where the slinger used to be. The idea was to run it with an oil bearing housing but I dont have one so will just stuff it with grease for now.

[Rickety Rocket]

Hows the rebuild coming along steve     

[sje]

IF the boss wouldnt give sooo much work to do I might have more time!
Have dummy fitted it all up but dont like how the unit fits so gunna change it after work today...

[matt]

believe it or not steve ther series 1-3 landrover have the correct bolt pattern to match the colorado drive flange on the ends of the d-shafts if you get the front shaft you cut the slined section down in length which gives you the slip joint needed and drill the adaptor for your flywheel to suit and presto,this how many people put chev and falc infront of colorados wth the low intakes,hope it helps,a few j52s etc used this set up too check a few motor shots of trade me and see what i mean.DONT drve the unit off gilmer pulleys you aint seen a bearing collapse till you seen a thrust bearing get side loaded.hope it helps 

[sje]

Thanks Matt got the driveshaft bit sorted the problem is the jet block or the holes in it are crooked resulting in the front of the unit being off center by 5mm. I mounted the motor to suit and it looked ok until I fitted the driveshaft then it looked like shite. I also discovered the crank/driveshaft flang was machined wrong giving me a half mill wobble in the driveshaft so I'm making a new one right now and willl have a crack at a refit tomorrow.

[cae]

Come on steve I,ll be there on friday night. Pull ya finger out.

[Rickety Rocket]

Any more progress on this project or is the boss still  ya? 

[sje]

If we didnt have to help you put a real engine in ya sprint boat there may have been some progress!
 

[Rickety Rocket]

 

[sje]

Ok finally I got it wet today its been a long time.... about 9 years with most of the effort in the last 6 months and having just looked, there is a distinct lack of pics. Will fix that later.
 I ended up lifting the unit 25 mm and setting it back at the same time so I could still use the existing hole for the grill and keep to the same intake angle. I made a hydraulic reverse from clutch cylinders which worked ok untill today when the lever broke. Have made an electric one instead. Pics to follow. The engine runs rich as but since the carbs been sitting for a few years I am confident that I will get it sorted. Its a holly with vac secs and elect choke. Its as if the choke is on even tho its not hooked up. The only other issue is the elect fuel pump cant keep up which worrys me considering the price of the stuff. Will check out filters breathers etc.
Anyhow for a fist time out real happy. Running a 2 stage for now with a Hamish Pryde sprint blade in front and a cast steel 19 rear. Got 5000 rpm, on the plane nice and quick and handled rough stuff well. The kids liked it and the missus thought not too bad either so a bonus all round.
P.S. Thats not the missus in the pics.

[cae]

Looks great Steve, nine years is a long tome but a good job all the same

[iceman]

That looks awesome mate,
Im just a tad nervous about the effect your crank/drive shaft flange having the 1mil wobble had.
As I reckon mine has about 5mils at the unit end.