Piper engineering
- Thread starter Jim
- Start date
Jim
MEMBER
Fennville, MI
Hi,
.......Guessing you haven't tried to change the oil or spark plugs on a modern vehicle.
Actually I have, but it took a while to find them under a coil in the bottoms of deep holes covered with an intake system..
If you gotta pull the bolt on the flap handle seems like a good time to pull the hydrasorbs and swap them while you are in there.
My cords are less than six months old, but still........
I've had the plane 42 years now and it's been a learning experience, not always good.
.......Guessing you haven't tried to change the oil or spark plugs on a modern vehicle.
Actually I have, but it took a while to find them under a coil in the bottoms of deep holes covered with an intake system..
If you gotta pull the bolt on the flap handle seems like a good time to pull the hydrasorbs and swap them while you are in there.
My cords are less than six months old, but still........
I've had the plane 42 years now and it's been a learning experience, not always good.
Graham, Texas, United States
But Jim, if it was easy everyone would do it. I have a whole vocabulary for these engineers. 
Frank Green
MEMBER
Frankfort NY
Recently bought a 10 year old Mini Cooper. Now that's an engineering challenge in every respect.
Jim
MEMBER
Fennville, MI
My first car was a 1964 Mini Cooper, not an S model though. I beat it to death in the California mountains, wish I still had it.
Graham, Texas, United States
Jim
MEMBER
Fennville, MI
Nice ride! All the school kids were building with about that vintage cars. I remember the first smog engine mods that came to California, a tube from the carb that sucked from a valve cover to evacuate the oily air. That's just about when automotive wiring went over my head.
Do you have just lap belts in that?
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Gilbert Pierce
MEMBER
Germantown, Tennessee 01TN
What’s with the DRIP pan?
Gilbert Pierce
MEMBER
Germantown, Tennessee 01TN
Graham, Texas, United States
That more modern transmission has a drip.
stevesaircraft(Bri)
MEMBER
Beagle, Oregon (Medford) United States
When you engineer a lot of it yourself you have no one to complain too.. lol
Diva Roadster kit car.
Top picture is body mounting and fit. Bottom is current doing chassis wiring.
—Brian
Diva Roadster kit car.
Top picture is body mounting and fit. Bottom is current doing chassis wiring.
—Brian
Jim
MEMBER
Fennville, MI
Nice ride! Not familiar at all, but made me think of a stylized Lotus 7. That engine at that weight will get out of its own way real quick.
A quick look up and now know why it looked like a Lotus.
walt.buskey
FRIEND
Etna, NH
While we;'re at it (apologies...), here's my hobby ride: The very first Japanese V-twin, which came out in 1981, the Yamaha Virago 750; this one's an '82:
No, it's not a single-pin crank, just really narrow. Notice no front downtube -- the engine is a structural member of the frame.
No, it's not a single-pin crank, just really narrow. Notice no front downtube -- the engine is a structural member of the frame.
stevesaircraft(Bri)
MEMBER
Beagle, Oregon (Medford) United States
As I understand the guy that designed it worked for Lotus at one time.Nice ride! Not familiar at all, but made me think of a stylized Lotus 7. That engine at that weight will get out of its own way real quick.
A quick look up and now know why it looked like a Lotus.
We have a .040 over 350 Chevy small block, roller everything, dyno tested at 500 HP on Nitro. Richmond gear 6 speed. Curry 9 inch rear, don't remember the gearing off hand. Should be a hoot
--Brian
stevesaircraft(Bri)
MEMBER
Beagle, Oregon (Medford) United States
Everyone needs a car in their life that they can cruise down the highway at 65 MPH, down shift it one gear and fry the tires when they punch it. LOL. So to answer that question, probably not.
The car actually was started by a close friend of mine in about 2002. When his wife died in 2005 he let it sit in his workshop. I got involved about 6 years ago now. I am now part owner since I am doing all of the finish work while he pays the bills. Hope to have it running this summer, just need to figure out a couple of wiring glitches. Mainly with the lights.
--Brian
stevesaircraft(Bri)
MEMBER
Beagle, Oregon (Medford) United States
LOL, no its home made harness by my electrical engineer co -owner.Brian, it didn't by chance come with Lucas electrics, like the original Lotus, did it? That might explain some things.
Thanks. cubscout
And cousin, you need to come out and visit.
--Brian
walt.buskey
FRIEND
Etna, NH
Continuing on our thread creep.... Yep, I know all about "The Prince of Darkness"! Grew up with a 1952 120 Jag my parents both raced. I was very fortunate to have been able to drive it as well, and built its last engine (Mk VII block, C-head, etc.). That one would break the rear tires loose at 65 without downshifting! Quite some torque on that DOHC six.
And yes, Jim, shaft drive. As I often say to folks who ask, "No spokes, no sprockets, no chain." Quite ahead of its time when the Virago was introduced. Very smooth, nice low CG, probably too much power for my 140-lb frame, but great for cruising at 2000+ rpm. Biggest drawback is that the tank sacrificed capacity to style & appearance -- I need to start looking for a gas station after 100+ miles.....
And yes, Jim, shaft drive. As I often say to folks who ask, "No spokes, no sprockets, no chain." Quite ahead of its time when the Virago was introduced. Very smooth, nice low CG, probably too much power for my 140-lb frame, but great for cruising at 2000+ rpm. Biggest drawback is that the tank sacrificed capacity to style & appearance -- I need to start looking for a gas station after 100+ miles.....
walt.buskey
FRIEND
Etna, NH
Very nice work! Bet it went pretty fast.
Jim
MEMBER
Fennville, MI
Hi Mr. Gill,
"Jim, is that the one that has the same engine as the 750 honda motorcycle?'
Nope, they had a British Motors engine line that fit the MGs, like the 1100 and others. The minis started from Morris using the 850CC then into Austin, and British Motors bumped them up to as much as 1275. Paddy Hopkirk won the Monty Carlo Rally twice in a row in the late 60s, they handle like a go cart.
Paddy Hopkirk was the rally winner.
"Jim, is that the one that has the same engine as the 750 honda motorcycle?'
Nope, they had a British Motors engine line that fit the MGs, like the 1100 and others. The minis started from Morris using the 850CC then into Austin, and British Motors bumped them up to as much as 1275. Paddy Hopkirk won the Monty Carlo Rally twice in a row in the late 60s, they handle like a go cart.
Paddy Hopkirk was the rally winner.
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stevesaircraft(Bri)
MEMBER
Beagle, Oregon (Medford) United States
For the Mini lovers, check out Project Binky on you tube. Couple of Brit’s shoe horned an all wheel drive turbo out of a Celica. It’s a very entertaining series of vids. And the car is extremely well built.
Jim
MEMBER
Fennville, MI
Hi,
Thanks for that mini craziness, brings back a lot of memories. Mine was also white with the black top but the rest of that work they were doing was beyond anything I'd even seen done to one, by a lot. Back in the day there was one the guy called a Minilac, had a Cadilac engine up front. The exterior was stock looking except the hood was not closing by an inch or two. I'm going to fire up that series in my cave.
Thanks for that mini craziness, brings back a lot of memories. Mine was also white with the black top but the rest of that work they were doing was beyond anything I'd even seen done to one, by a lot. Back in the day there was one the guy called a Minilac, had a Cadilac engine up front. The exterior was stock looking except the hood was not closing by an inch or two. I'm going to fire up that series in my cave.
Gilbert Pierce
MEMBER
Germantown, Tennessee 01TN
That was a rabbit hole I should’ve not gone down.
walt.buskey
FRIEND
Etna, NH
I'm watching the whole thing, too.... totally fascinating watching things get made up from flat metal! "I feel another bracket coming on..."
Not quite done yet -- you mean they don't even drive it?!??
Not quite done yet -- you mean they don't even drive it?!??
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