Hi Doug,
The inlet/oulet of the Alfa radiator is 32mm OD same as Subie. So 32 OD S/S pipes run from front to back.
A few advantages of the Alfa33 radiator is- its made in Spain. Meaning there is a hint of olive odour when you open the parcel- lovely. There is no coolant neck/filler hindering mounting on a trike with central steering mechanism. There is a small top bleed tube. And its one of the smallest radiators - external dimensions, around. Like all conversions it had its issues. Lack of mounting brackets etc, had to be overcome.
Initially I toyed with the electric water pump concept. Yet another accessory in the crowded engine bay. Look under a vW trike now and see room everywhere compared to Tweety. Nice- if you like Dak Dak. No thanks. Been there done that.
For those unaware, electric water pumps do away with a thermostat, allow continuous but varuiable pumping of coolant depending on temperatures. The controllers can be dash mounted and are digital. Expensive though.
I got my 6 inch thermatic fan in the mail and mounted it on my heater core radiator. If temps go up its just a case of neutral then rev the engine 2000 rpm for about 20 seconds. Temps go down quickly. But in my latest experience with the system expelled of air locks, it takes a long long time to go over 85 degrees. Thermos come in at 89-90 degrees. So dont come on at all unless idling for quite a while.
Today was a day of celebration. Everything, even small things has been completed on Tweety. I through my arms up with joy. 6 years of toiling- it is complete now. Readers wouldnt have known about the airbags troubles, roof strengthening of support mounts, towbar wiring woes for our camper including relay for the magnetic brakes, brake calipre issues, master cylinder issues (now S/S insert) electrical woes. One acquaintance said it was a lemon. Not really, 50% of the work was caused by me and my choices/inexperience. That caravan was the wrong move, too heavy for the trike which led to the supercharger, then the SPFI that all seemed like wise moves at the time but both had their drawbacks.
I've learned- dont trust any s/hand engine over 8 years old let alone 22 years old regardless of new rings and bearing talk. Expect to reco it. Dont fiddle with s/hand carbies- they are cheap enough in the scheme of things. My 38/38 new cost $450. Finalise your needs and seek someone who has done similar before- Steptoe's rebuild with a torquey cam was invaluable. Go the larger manifold if you can, I think the jury came back with that mod and gave it a big tick. New oil pump from USA cost $120 delivered- do it. Same with the water pump.
But one of the things I miscalculated about was the massive 14hp loss of output from the automatic. I wouldnt be without the auto in a cruiser trike but 14hp is too much to lose. With this hindsight the EJ20 would have been the better choice not that I'm not content. The EJ would have got Tweety doing a boogie on command. But it would have also caused other issues like less space for the exhaust (its snug now so imagine), too complex for this older guy wanting simple things that are within my capacity to fix, etc.
It's good to be back on tweety again. I'd forgotten the amount of photos he gets daily. Passengers AND driver with their phones on the freeway. Crowds appearing instantly. There is a negative of course. While in the engineers workshop a guy came in and started talking, pulling the brake leverl, rubbing hands over chrome etc. I thought he was the engineers friends. When he finally left I asked Peter who he was- "dunno, never seen him before". Thats an example of how far people go to be rude and disrespectful.
Ever jumped into someones Ferrari in a parking lot? Well they jump on Tweety if they want to, especially to get a photo of themselves sitting on it. Time for a bed of nails on the seat. and a remote air horn I can turn on nearby. Did I tell you of how many times I've answered the question "so,...what does she go like"......and .....
Think I need a holiday. This camper trailer meant for motorcycles is perfect- has queen bed, brakes easy access to storage etc. Ideal for a Brumby. Called a Detour motorcycle camper
http://www.detourcampers.com/motorcycle.htm . Erected in 2 minutes. There is a video on their web site. Might hit the mountains soon.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Tweety trike- EA81 (full reco 2014) 32/36 weber, SPFI manifold, 9.5:1 CR, VW auto.
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The long wait and all the hard work has paid off. Now it just needs rego?
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lol
