Aircraft engines for the street

[stitchdup]

I've been seeing a lot of pre war british aero engine specials on youtube recently, along with the huge engine fiats etc. It got me thinking about building a 50s version of John Dodds Beast which has a more interesting story than many cars. It still exists but i want to do a 58 cadillac as i figure jets were much more common then so maybe a spitfire engine would be an easy find, and i already have the arii and airfix kits, but i dont know where to start with the axle and gearbox.  I'm aiming for a silly street car rather than a racer

[Ace-Garageguy]

The power takeoff comes off the prop end, naturally.

Try to find photos of the "Big Al" '34 Ford drag car, several other Allison powered beasts, or "tractor pulling" vehicles in the US.

The 1710 Allison used in all the above is similar in appearance to a Merlin from a Spitfire, and the installation and gearbox setup would be essentially identical. 

If I get a few minutes free, I'll see if I can find you some definitive pix.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Here's a quick video with a decent shot of the adapter, PTO, reduction box, and gearbox bolted to the Merlin at 3:05. You might have some luck searching for more images of this car.

 

Edited January 9 by Ace-Garageguy

[Ace-Garageguy]

Surely there's some build shots and tech info on Dodd's Beast out there in webland too...

[Ace-Garageguy]

OK...this is the mid-engined Beast II, but you can see a pretty much normal looking automotive bellhousing, and a big cast-iron early Hydramatic gearbox bolted to it. A conventional driveshaft would run to the differential.

(click the link, as the photo is copy-protected)   http://www.sixmania.fr/wp-content/uploads/the-beast-2-rolls-royce-merlin-powered-car/arriere.jpg

The big old Hydramatics were capable of handling a LOT of torque, and were the basis for the famous B&M "Hydro Stick" drag racing automatics.

You can find a very good early Hydramatic in several Revell kits...including both Anglia drag cars.

PS: Here's the article. Some of the technical description is scrambled though.

http://www.sixmania.fr/en/the-beast-2-rolls-royce-merlin-powered/

EDIT: Don't worry too much about getting the driveline absolutely "correct", because everything like this would be a one-off, so there's no "right" way.

 

Edited January 9 by Ace-Garageguy

[stitchdup]

22 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Surely there's some build shots and tech info on Dodd's Beast out there in webland too...

most of whats out there is from his adventures being sued by rolls royce. One said it had a modified gearbox and another just said it took a lot of work. i'm looking for its auction pics now

[Ace-Garageguy]

4 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

most of whats out there is from his adventures being sued by rolls royce. One said it had a modified gearbox and another just said it took a lot of work. i'm looking for its auction pics now

See my post immediately above. There's a link to a shot of the bellhousing and gearbox.

Edited January 9 by Ace-Garageguy

[stitchdup]

Well i'm a bit shocked, the original beast used a 3 speed gm auto box. I'm sure i can rustle up one of them and i hve a jag irs somewhere.

[Ace-Garageguy]

3 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

Well i'm a bit shocked, the original beast used a 3 speed gm auto box. I'm sure i can rustle up one of them and i hve a jag irs somewhere.

Yup, most likely a cast-iron Hydramatic (an entirely different animal from a Turbo 350, 400, or anything later).

A current, highly internally-modified 4L60 or 4L80 will handle around 1,000 horsepower, so that's an option if you want to use more modern parts.

 

[stitchdup]

41 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Yup, most likely a cast-iron Hydramatic (an entirely different animal from a Turbo 350, 400, or anything later).

A current, highly internally-modified 4L60 or 4L80 will handle around 1,000 horsepower, so that's an option if you want to use more modern parts.

 

I'm looking earlier, maybe late 50s or early 60s so the hydramatic fits the time better. thanks for the help Bill