EA81 into trike VW automatic

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:27 am

Lucky me has had the pleasure of meeting tony and this awesome machine - loads of custom work already done after the factory specs of this trike!

Super comfortable to sit in the driver's seat. I can see the excitement on tony's face in the anticipation of taking it for a ride once it's all complete.

A real work of art that I recommend any board member to check out if you've got an interest in the pics/process of nutting out the conversion in this thread. I know I'd like to take Ruby Scoo cruising with Tweety once she's up and running

Best of luck with it all tony, I can't wait to see the finished result in the flesh and hope to catch up with you again soon. I'll put that bracket aside for you too

A real work of art that Tony should be totally proud of!

Cheers

Bennie

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:30 am

Thanks Bennie, my pleasure.

Great to finally meet one that has Subaru running through his veins.

Post by **TOONGA** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:17 am

I have to ask, is the top of the overflow bottle higher than the higest point of the radiator?

if it isn't then you could end up with a big air pocket in the top of the radiator.

apart from that things are looking really good.

Planning to travel across the Nullabor?

TOONGA

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:22 pm

Actually I thought someone would ask that question about expansion bottle height. I cant get the bottle any highter Toonga- there's no place for it. I had searched high and low on the web for a low flat bottle to no avail. (plenty of expensive alloy type that you cant see the level!) A third up the bottle is the top of the radiator (I think). That picture doesnt do the height justice but will double check when I return home tomorrow.So will see how it goes. Might have to keep the bottle filled until all air bubbles excreet (love that word).

Easy access to the expansion cap is important of course. If the bottle was under the top box (which wouldn't be any higher by the way but was my original mounting spot) I'd have to retract the roof then raise the body just to get to it. This trike in particular with its unique features has meant unique ideas required to overcome problems.

This was also thought about when I was anguishing about the pro's and con's of a rear mounted radiator. That would have been much lower and height for the bottle a no brainer. But now that I've got the alloy radiator and can see how fragile they are to stones and the like at the back I'm glad I went the other way....if it cools ok.

Bennie also had a concern for the water pump outlet of the radiator being too high. The MR2 radiator is I believe mounted flat hence I think the less need for high and low inlet/outlet. But I'll see how it goes when all is complete, gauge connected and thermo fan in place.

Picked up my Mackay flexi radiator hoses today. Boy they make them nice nowadays...material outer covering nice wire coil inside etc. $25 each one 50cm the other 60cm

I purchased a type R temp gauge on ebay for $16. it came with a sender much smaller than the ea81 type. tested the gauge with the original sender and works fine....eg boiling at 100 deg C. so mounting that is to be my next job.

Across the Nulla? Explaining to Bennie on Sunday that semi retirement is about 2-3 years away and a round the Oz trip planned anti clockwise (tail wind). so south of Perth will likely be a stop. Fancy a ride? bare in mind you cant roll one of these machines and the ea81 will likely make easy wheel stands. That'll excite the kids!

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:08 pm

mmmmm am away from home tonight but looking at those pics it doesnt look high enough that bottle. think I was thinking when it was positioned a tthe rea rof that compartment its in and a little higher. will check it our soon guys. might need to move it to the rear a few inces and raise it to the max.

more bloody welding

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:16 pm

Good news and bad news.

Good news is my Hawse pipes arrived today. held one in position here

hope that will allow a little cool air into the thermo fan area with a duct.

Bad news is that in this pic the spirit level doesnt lie. the top neck of the expansion bottle is at the very top of the radiator core- too low as has already been pointed out. I've looked at the bottle location. I could squeeze out an inch or so by mounting it higher and maybe rearward but it isnt much.

Suggestions?

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:11 am

In combination with moving the expansion bottle higher you might be able to gain the difference you need by reclining the radiator a little more to reduce the height.

You might need to make up a triangle shaped intake adaptor for the carby rather than using a bent pipe but I think it should give the clearance you need to recline the radiator.

Jordan.

Post by **TOONGA** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:57 am

If you can't get the expansion bottle any higher where it is or tilt the radiator back towards the motor by a bout 20mm, can you move it to the other side of the motor where it could be placed higher?

TOONGA

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 5:29 pm

Thanks again. Well did what all guys do when they have an issue- ask the wife......yeh right!. She did make a point in that if the cooling system is sorted and working right then access to the radiator cap on the expansion tank is not that relevant.

So I found the highest point. And the bottom of the bottle is in line with the top horizontal core of the radiator.

You can see here the flexi radiator hoses are installed. one was 60cm the other 50cm.

One Hawsie pipe has been fixed. I am happy with this option.

You can see here the flow direction of air towards the radiator. Need some ducting. 12 inches circumference. so ducting about 4.5 inches diameter....have to start looking.

The temp gauge. I have a favourite spot beneath the instrument cluster.

gotta seek our some 50mm internal pipe...maybe pvc and paint it or chrome exhaust tip or similar to house it and protect it from the rain.

So what's left. Will get back my engine protection bar and modified oil filler Friday. Then start up and tune the best I can. Get it to the exhaust joint. Ride home!. engineer. camping...cocktails...fairybread...oops sorry Toonga!....

FROG · Post by **FROG** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 6:27 pm

Tony that Trike looks awesome now - in a matter of 6 7 weeks - with a broken leg and confined to a wheelchair = amazing effort

Well played sir

and it was a pleasure dealing with you - jobs like this keep me interested, thank you

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:12 pm

thanks Andy and your service with that contageous laugh was a pleasure!

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:03 pm

One of the things that annoys me with custom work is the negativity one gets form service staf at retail outlets. Some are good, others have no vision.

Today was no exception. Arrived at a large hardware store where there is prompt service. I didnt want to go through the ordeal of explaining such- VW chopper trike now with Subie engine and have ducts called Hawse pipes and need flexible pipe to direct air to the thermo fan etc etc. But I did say it all and got the common reply- "hope, you wont find that here". "Ill just have a browse then".....my common reply knowing full well I'll find something.

In the plumbing section I located a rubber sleeve and a flexible lower cistern pipe. And the rubber sleeve fitted onto the Hawse pipe perfectly.

This pic shows the advantage of that flexible section

The view from the side is more brighter with the flash. Can paint black

Add to that a straight 90mm section and it reaches the thermo fan

Not a cheap excercise. hawse pipes x2 $76, flexi pipes and rubber sleeves x2 $96, 90mm pipe $10. total $180 for this. but I think it adds tot eh overall appearance and hopefully a little more air into that area.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:07 pm

caution with temperature under there. i onced used 50mm Pcv vent pipe under bonnet with a turbo in same space - the pipe got soft and collapsed

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:32 pm

Looking good Tony! I bet you're stoked that it's all coming together!

Do I hear there's a day trip to Hotham coming up in the next two weeks or so??

The weather should be good by then

Cheers

Bennie

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:19 pm

Maybe a couple of weeks after that Bennie. We'll see. love the ride up there especially after Harrietville.

Busy day today.

Both air intakes finished.

The length will suffice

Thematic fan finished except for a thermo switch to buy soon

intakes- view from front

Finally I took off the radiator and rubber mounted it.

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:08 pm

I like the old school air cleaner it looks way better than the vacuuum cleaner setup from before.

The pipes for ventilation look good as do the hawse pipes, as for the cost of it all... the better the cooling to the radiator, the less chance your engine melts down on its maiden voyage.

TOONGA

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:32 am

Thanks Toonga. Yeh am happy with the result.

I also wasnt happy with the vacuum style air filter assembly. But it would have sucked in cool air beyond the rim of the radiaotr hot air. The one on it now will get hot air. Dont know whether to worry about this or not.

Received more vetns in the mail to covr those glove compartments. They look impressive.

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:54 pm

Today I fixed the 5 louvre vents in place. Purchased from ebay. They are meant for boats. I am really imprssed with the appearance of these units and there usefullness.

Had to cut out the glove box holes (an option form the manufacturer I did not take up) with a jigsaw. then S/steel self tappers.

This shot shows the radiator under and more rearward. a small wind deflector will be added to direct the air inward more.

This shot depicts both new air intakes. Ignor the plumbing of the expansion tank....small flexi hose will be sought.

Tweety is growing teeth!

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:18 pm

If only they could face the other way it would be like gills on a shark

Looks awesome, can't wait to see/hear it running!

Post by **TOONGA** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:53 pm

I need a set of those for the bonnet of my brumby

looks like they were meant to be there

TOONGA