Tweety's ea81 build

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 12:47 pm

Yes, the block's been milled. I'm a bit stumped aboutt he engines history though. The 70yo guy that sold it to me (no reason to disbelieve) is a Subie mechanic. He purchased the brumby when it was 2yo off an old lady. He ran around Albury for 17 years picking up parts etc for his business.
Then he told me he put rings and bearing in it and that the rings were the "non locking type" in that they rotate "so if they line up you might get a puff of smoke now and then" and that was 80,000 kms ago.

So was the block out when new? who knows. Not likely.

I'm real happy with how thorough this builder is.

Steptoe, I havent worried about a deadline. I'm retired. And I've been busy revamping so many other things on this trike eg new seals in the auto, regrease CV's, got the brakes working like they should be (the rear wheels have two calipers each wheel and one caliper was seized), resleeved master cylinder, front radiator is out ready for rear mounted Porsche radiator and future front heater unit with demister, investigate and purchase carbie, get an adapter made, revamped all electrics, that safety cut off unit for the Fuel pump, painted up other engine parts, raise rear suspension height to minimise inside tyre wear due to extra weight of roof and humans on board, etc.

This work will never be done again. The carbie 38/38 will be a gamble but if it doesnt work the way I hope then a 32/36 will bolt in its place. easy.

Truth is Jonno, I was thinking of you when I posted the pics of the valve covers. Thought that would spark some enthusiasm...

Maybe this will help?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 8:03 pm

Hmm....yeah Tony, sparks some interest, but may I suggest a bit more bling by using chromed valve tits on the back rims instead of rubber - to match the rocker covers

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:11 pm

Hey Steptoe guess what.....no news.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 9:26 pm

OK, you caught me out. I looked, looked at your girlfrinds tattoo also !

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 11:28 pm

haha, wasnt my GF...was a model for a bikie mag photoshoot.

I had better things to do with my time like...ummm...looking for some chrome tips.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 9:55 pm

steptoe wrote:starting to lose interest meself

I think someone's jealous!

Looking good Tony. Will have to drop in soon to check out the progress

Getting exciting, can't wait for the engine to be done. I've got a brumby that we can pick it up in

Cheers

Bennie

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:13 pm

She is one hundred times more georgeous than the last bikie girl I saw - who at about 1am saw fit to bare her twin set and a gut equivalent to a pair of yet to be born babies - right in front of me under rather bright lights - stuff of nightmares, lemme tell you. UGH, (head shudders)

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:45 pm

Could be getting my engine back by the end of this week.

I know Steptoe....dont get too excited.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:55 am

got any more distractions then ?

I don't suppose when the carb adaptor was made, a second one was also made , or the program inside the CNC ? was retained ?

Subydoug · Post by **Subydoug** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 8:35 am

Sounds good Tweety. Im in the process of setting up electronic ignition with wasted spark on mine, it there are any notable increases in performance il let you know. Might be a nice way to get a few extra ponys for you.

Regards

Doug

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 9:16 am

Jonno, CNC? is that the spray stuff for electrics? The adapter was a one off and it took my mate 8 hours to do. Like a lot of things engineered it looks easy and quick to do but when you do it, it takes far longer. I'm really eager to get that engine but it will be some time before it is running. Installation, purchase of Porsche 'centre' radiator and the fittings, 3x6" fans (one for a small second radiator) etc.
Once running well have to do a trip to Bendigo for the engineers report. This guy did a report on Tweety'e roof a couple of years ago. I've done a lot of work on Tweety while the engine is out. Revamped electrics (got two more fuse boxes at the rear near the battery, easy access) modified the small baffles that go at the end of the 4 exhausts (welded washers to the ends restricting the exit volume to just over stock to get it quieter and wrapped fibreglass baffle sheet to them) and raised the IRS to eliminate inside tyre wear. Also made a better strogner strut system to hold the body up.

The electrics

The standard body raising stays are hopeless. this ensures it is secure even in heavy wind. It's a "H" design with two tent poles the type you twist to adjust length. Not that I need to adjust the length but if I need to.

Made the throttle system on the carb with auto kickdown switch

Painted up the other engine bits. There are two oil filler necks. one was shortened and turned around for when I had the supercharger with easy fill leaving the body down. so wont know which to use until engine in situ.

Doug sounds good. any extra HP is welcomed to lift that front wheel. I recall when the supercharger was first fitted and that momentous first front wheel lift when changing from first to second on the auto ....magic.

Subydoug · Post by **Subydoug** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 12:17 pm

Looks good tweety. I would haze a guess that mapped ignition will mostly give gains in the mid-range.

Doug

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:19 pm

Well tomorrow is the day finally. Unless there is an issue with putting on the heads which the EB is doing tonight and in the morning.
Now forgive me if I get this wrong as it was over the phone and reception was poor and breaking up. But-
the eb told me "remember I told you that the blocks were 11 thou out? well the tunnel was out 5.5 thou one side on the crank meaning 11 thou difference form one block to the other. So that was corrected and the blocks are perfect- spot on. All I did then was reface both of them".

Does that make sense- means nothing to me. What it does show is how thorough he is. He really takes pride in everything. He asked about the oil pump. Told him I've got a new one from New York. He will bolt it on tomorrow.

So, new oversize pistons, rebore, new torquey cam, good s/hand crank, blocks blasted and clear coated, heads 3 step grind and shave, 9.5:1 CR, new cam gear, SPFI manifold mounting holes modified. Manifold fitted. a little over $2700. Am stoked.

Criticisms- yeh very little...took very long time, little feedback.

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:29 pm

Could "the tunnel" mean the crank bore through the middle? 3 bearing journals, plus seal bores at either end. 5.5 thou a side is .137mm, 11 thou is .275mm! Maybe out of round? mis-match between the two halves? Wherever it is .27mm is a fair whack.

Bet you are stoked with what's coming your way, sounds like I should have sent my twin port his way he sure sounds thorough!

Plenty of good stuff in that engine of yours, looking forward to a vid or some stats when its all done

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 6:10 am

that is usually the tunnel as Sam asks if it may be where the crank goes, BUT there is a second smaller tunnel in same plane - the cam shaft.

I know stuff all about machining, head is starting to hurt when I try to picture two block halves together, being tunnel bored to correct two congruent ? tunnels to exacting specs, then thinking of the oil pump and camshaft bolt up holes and clearances etc. Clearances as in the flippin' tight fit as it is oil pump...but a machinist who sounds like he really knows his stuff will be able to make all this fit back together - might be why he asks about your oil pump, to enlarge bolt up holes in housing, or take a bit of the crude castings ..... The cam retainer plate also has pretty critical mounting holes. I would not panic at all Tony, sounds like your EB is on top of things (and I don't think I can handle to many further delays in seeing this project come off)

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:54 am

Dear Jonno, yeh am not concerned at all. this guy knows his stuff.. It's pot luck isnt it. But he does just do engine reconditioning so its his specialty.

I have your concern in my heart.

My wife informed me last night that the purchase of the Porsche "centre" radiator and 3 6" thermatic fans wont be until after xmas as we have regoes etc to pay. I'm not reinstalling the Alfa radiator up front, its all been taken off. Then Porsche radiator measures 620mm x 170mm x 41mm and will sit behind the engine bar behind the number plate nice and snug.

So until then.....I think a distraction is in order......

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 7:05 pm

Well what a day. Arrived at the EB and he was finished. He was just tightening up the last valve cover bolt!!

Gave him the oil pump and that was bolted up also.

As he did this he explained that the blocks were good, both shaved etc and the 11 thou difference was eliminated upon assembly so all hi explaining about this just confused me. It's all good.

The only thing he couldnt do was "ream" the 6 holes for the manifold mounting holes....where they bolt onto the heads. He didnt have the tool. All 6 shafts/holes have to be reamed 2.5 mm towards the centre of the manifold. If they were just drilled out there wont be enough "meat" there for strength. He had the manifold on with one bolt and with a torch I could see what he meant. So a total of 5mm difference, 2.5mm each side. He said "mmm did this manifold come off a fuel injection motor". Yes it did. and could accoutn for the large difference plus the head/block shave...or deck or whatever. excuse my lack of knowledge here.

So the manifold is with my local engineer that built tweety's roof. Get id back in two weeks. (Melbourne cup delay) That's ok. Can do other stuff, install engine etc.

Campbell had rebuilt several ea81's for light aircraft.

Now the pics. there is one pic there with the flywheel evidence of the balancing. Enjoy.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Nov 01, 2014 6:12 am

looking good Tony !

There must have been a bit taken off the block and head mating faces to make that much difference in the inlets mounting holes ! Tweetys little heart surely looks to be in the hands of one good surgeon !

Still, can't wait..... after xmas ??? At least get it a party hat for the festive season

Post by **TOONGA** » Sat Nov 01, 2014 12:28 pm

Tweety wrote:
So until then.....I think a distraction is in order.....

That's a funny singlet she is wearing

nice link to you photobucket page as well

TOONGA

Subydoug · Post by **Subydoug** » Sat Nov 01, 2014 1:05 pm

Looks pretty sexy Tweety.......chicks pretty hot too!