Looked like he had some kind of air-flow directing shroud over the
cylinders for cooling. Hydro-lock can be an issue if allowed to sit for
very long without being pulled through. If it really locks up, a pull
through backward by hand will usually release it. But how to do that in
this wee beastie is a bit of a puzzle. Construction of that transmission
was interesting. The machinist really knew his stuff to pull that one
out of his hat. I couldn't quite discern what the engine was. There was
some mention of a Wright Cyclone 1830 or 1840 . It's been a long time
ago - but - Jacobs radial engines were 7 cylinder R-755's, P&W's (Pratt
& Whitney') were 9 cylinder R-985's and R-1340's. The next step up were
1820 series engines which - if memory serves - were twin rows of 9
cylinder in each row. Made by different companies. One big chunk of
engine metal. But bigger yet were the R-3350's - four banks of 9
cylinders each - If memory serves. And I believe these were Wright
Whirlwinds as well. But it has been a very long time ago that I was into
it that deep and I may not have that all quite right. My memory falters.
Correct me please if I am wrong,

But that radial engine in that car is a very interesting sight to behold.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 11/25/2011 7:11 PM, Alistair Bell wrote:
> I wonder if he turned the engine over, by some sort of hand crank or something, before firing it up. Oil tends to collect in the lower cylinders in a radial, can have a hydrolock issue I think. I'd add that he has a cooling problem too, no prop or other obvious airstream.
>
> I have seen the vid of the thing driving down the road, amazing.
>
> alistair
>
>
> On 2011-11-25, at 4:56 PM, Jim Arnott wrote:
>
>> On Nov 25, 2011, at 8:17 AM, Alistair Bell wrote:
>>
>>> Aircooled and a bit bigger than 2.1 l
>>>
>>> :)
>>>
>>> http://shufti.wordpress.com/2011/11/25/ata-scrapyard-finds/
>>>
>>>
>> It can be done: http://youtu.be/f2V7B7-gdRA
>>
>> Jim
>