Aero engines vs Auto engines

[BrendAn]

4 hours ago, danny_galaga said:

So while I'm in the camp of prefering engines designed from the get go for aircraft, still the idea is intriguing. Here's what I would do to start with for two different scenarios depending on aircraft size:

 

For big boy planes first, I would look at many years worth of Paris to Dakar rallies. I'm sure there are many categories, not just standard and modified. In the categories of standard and slightly modified (whatever that might be called) which cars were the most reliable? Not including the support trucks, which had an open class of their own at one stage. I suspect an 11 litre DAF truck engine is a bit out of the airplane league 😄

 

Don't look only at what won, but what used the least spares, and what spares were needed. That there is your most reliable, bullet proof engine most akin to an aircraft engine. Will probably be over engineered in some places, and maybe a tad weaker in others, but to me would be your best bet.

 

Talking of bullet proof, for ultralights, look no further than a late 80s Suzuki GSX1100. Around 120hp, air-cooled. Built in gear box sounds a hindrance at first thought. But you need a reduction box anyway. Pull out all the gears and lay shafts and just fit the minimal to get your prop right. The output shaft already is designed to take an absolute flogging from the chain drive. Maybe a short prop shaft and bobs your uncle! The only downside with my pick is these engines are now 30-40 years old, so careful reconditioning is key.

 

 

bmw  are good candidates because its easy to adapt a gearbox to them.

Edited 20 hours ago by BrendAn

[danny_galaga]

3 hours ago, BrendAn said:

bmw  are good candidates because its easy to adapt a gearbox to them.

Yes, and they look the part. But seriously, Google how bulletproof the gsx 1100 was. 

[Arron25]

10 hours ago, Blueadventures said:

7,000 is the current highest hours known to Rotax.

But how much of a 'grandfather's axe' is it?😁

Edited 14 hours ago by Arron25

[skippydiesel]

8 hours ago, Arron25 said:

But how much of a 'grandfather's axe' is it?😁

I don't know the answer to your question.

 

I am lead to believe that the big two (Ly/Con) are very much in the 'grandfather's axe' territory. To acheive their claimed TBO, it's not unusual for costly major "surgery", described as routine maintenance, to be conducted.😈

[danny_galaga]

10 hours ago, Arron25 said:

But how much of a 'grandfather's axe' is it?😁

Point is, they didn't blow up getting there.

[facthunter]

You don't hear about the Ones that do. I used to be Mates with Bert Flood.  Lycomings need a TOP  to get to TBO. Hardly major surgery.   Hydraulic lifters need to be checked for Bleed down Clearance. Same type of Lifter as in a 9xx Rotax I don't like Hydraulic Lifters in ANY Aircraft motor. Better with Manually adjusted tappets then you  KNOW when things are going wrong and they don't have to Pump up to be safe. Nev