fiatboy Posted June 1, 2011 Posted June 1, 2011 How to convert a top-fuel engine to water-cooled (for a salt-flats racer). Is there space between the front of the engine and the blower-drive-belt to add a water pump? Some salt-flat race cars do use a supercharger (with a blower hat). The engine I hope to use is a Gibson product ("Sonny's). Good modeling to you!
Scale-Master Posted June 1, 2011 Posted June 1, 2011 How about an inline electric water pump using the same lines as from the tank, and replace the tank with a radiator? Just a thought...
torinobradley Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 One of my projects is a '34 LSR with the front mounted blown SBC and my plan was to run a pair of water lines from each side down the frame rails to the radiator/reservoir with a pair of inline electric pumps. Just need to mount fittings where the water enters and exits the block.
Bowtienutz Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 Modern top fuel motors have no water jacket heads don't either.
fiatboy Posted June 3, 2011 Author Posted June 3, 2011 Modern top fuel motors have no water jacket heads don't either. Hi Bowtie; thanks for your response. I'm going for appearances here. How does a TF engine differ in appearance to a 426 Street Hemi-type engine? Could I fake it?
fiatboy Posted June 3, 2011 Author Posted June 3, 2011 One of my projects is a '34 LSR with the front mounted blown SBC and my plan was to run a pair of water lines from each side down the frame rails to the radiator/reservoir with a pair of inline electric pumps. Just need to mount fittings where the water enters and exits the block. Hey Torino; thanks for the response. Where do these fittings go on the block or head? Underneath the exhaust-manifolds? Remember that I intend to convert a top-fuel engine into something that is water-cooled to race on the salt flats. Thanks again.
slantasaurus Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 If you are set on a water cooled LSR, the entry/exit points on a Chrysler Hemi would be the same place that the water pump would bolt to the front of the engine, on either side of the timing chain cover. If your planned LSR would be running Nitro or Alchahol type fuels water cooling might not be nessasary as those fuels don't burn as hot as gasoline and a LSR run would be short enough that water cooling wouldn't be needed. Look into what some of the real LSR cars are running and decide how you want to do things.
LDO Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Get a 417 Donovan. They're available with a water jacket.
torinobradley Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Hey Torino; thanks for the response. Where do these fittings go on the block or head? Underneath the exhaust-manifolds? Remember that I intend to convert a top-fuel engine into something that is water-cooled to race on the salt flats. Thanks again. I believe most motors have one set of entry points where the water pump mounts to, one on each side of the front of the block, then exit points where the water passage of the intake is (where the thermostat/upper hose attaches. With the blower, I was planning on putting a fitting on each side of the front of the block, where the water pump would mount, and then another pair of fittings at the very front, top inside of the head. This is for the parts pack small block I was using. I know some motors have original or modified water ports on the front of th e heads as well. When all is said and done, make it like you want it. I don't think you'll have much of an overheating problem in your 1/25th car, after all...
fiatboy Posted June 9, 2011 Author Posted June 9, 2011 If you are set on a water cooled LSR, the entry/exit points on a Chrysler Hemi would be the same place that the water pump would bolt to the front of the engine, on either side of the timing chain cover. If your planned LSR would be running Nitro or Alchahol type fuels water cooling might not be nessasary as those fuels don't burn as hot as gasoline and a LSR run would be short enough that water cooling wouldn't be needed. Look into what some of the real LSR cars are running and decide how you want to do things. I thank you for the lenghthy technical answer.
fiatboy Posted June 9, 2011 Author Posted June 9, 2011 Get a 417 Donovan. They're available with a water jacket. Maybe I'm asking way too much, but what kits had this 417 Donovan? I'll probably go on the Forum and see if I can aquire there. Thank you very much.
LDO Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 Maybe I'm asking way too much, but what kits had this 417 Donovan? I'll probably go on the Forum and see if I can aquire there. Thank you very much. The only one I know of is AMT's old "Dragray" Corvette funny car. I sent you a PM with a link to one.
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