Projects Giant speedster project

New Video

Enough with the needle jokes. The hole in that jet is so big it doesn't take any kind of taper to block it off. But I think I've got to bore the jet out even more. The engine idles pretty good--I think there'll still be some occasional popping until the exhaust is closed up--but it breaks up when I give it some throttle. I should be able to back out the needle and have a little black smoke or rough running but I've got to keep the needle all the way out for it to run smooth. So the engine needs a little more fine tuning, but the big problems are solved and I'm not going to mess with it until I'm ready to go for a spin. Hey, check out the new vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMTyNfyV4ac

Jerry
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

 

Oh, yeah. Turn up the volume if you want to experience the Seagrave as I did.

Jerry

 

Awesome!!!!! I can't wait to hear it underload on a test drive!!!

 

All this noise is scaring
I love it .

 

Thanks man, I got my engine fix in for the day.

 

Searched back thru this thread a bit but couldn't find what I was looking for. I always end up scratching my head a bit when I see that intake manifold with an updraft carb mounted underneath and what appears to be another carb flange on the top side. Was it just cast that way so it could be finished for either an up or downdraft carb? Or was there something else fitted to the top of the intake that we haven't seen yet?

Also, don't forget to turn your speaker volume back down after watching the video.

 

Very Very impressive! I'd love to see it inperson someday.

 

Fantastic build! very creative. Thanks for taking the time to take so many great pics and document what you are doing. Its very inspiring.

Bobby

 

Everything GSP392 said!

 

Old engine designers went a little overboard with the exhaust heated intake manifolds. The Seagrave had this giant loop of a pipe that came out of the exhaust manifold, went over the top of the engine and into the intake manifold then dumped out a hole in the bottom. I suppose fire calls at 3AM in the dead of winter required a quick warm up. Still, there was no valve to turn off the heat when the engine was warm. Maybe they thought a hot mixture made for better atomization. I'm going to block it off.

Jerry
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

 

so when you adjust your new needle it makes a difference in idle speed?

 

I still need to drill out the main jet slightly, but now the idle screw affects the idle and it wouldn't do that with the old carb.

Jerry
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

 

and your going to put some kind of exhaust system on it? using an air cleaner and some kind of muffler will make it run richer, i bet you know that.

 

I was at the Gilmore Museum today in the shop when they fired up the '09 Thomas Flyer. It has an engine that looks enough like your Seagrave to have them be twins, right down to dual plugs, mag and battery ignition. It has separate sumps for each connecting rod, one adds oil untill it spills over the first and runs into the second, then the third, fourth and on down the line. Consequently, when you finally get the sump for #6 filled, each sump has WAY more oil in than is needed, or desireable, and the idea is you drain out some from each one. Wow. To check the oil, there's a little petcock for each sump, if oil drips out when opened, you're good to go. If not, time for more.

It's over 760 cid, and makes somewhere around 70 hp, which was stupid power in '09. The museum guy told me he'd driven the car over 60 mph, the top end was somewhere around 90, but he wasn't comfortable driving any faster than 60. No kidding.

It's had an electric started added, and sounds just like yours firing up. Made me want a brass car!

Brian

 

Very cool! This reminds me of the Blastolene cars...

http://www.blastolene.com/Blastolene_Cars.htm

 

Sounds good. I've been watching this build from the beginning, and I'm always impressed with your updates. Looking forward to your first drive!!!

 

Sounds great! What's the opening above the carb for (on the intake)?

 

Read post #703

 

The 1909 Thomas Flyer Model K6-70 is an impressive machine and I believe it was originally part of the Harrah Auto Collection. Prior to delivery, all Thomas automobiles were tested and required to achieve speeds of at least 60 mph and climb Buffalo, NY's famous Brewery Hill in top gear.

I would not hesitate to open that Flyer up over 60 mph.....Bill Harrah did. He regularly drove them on the old HCCA tours at 60 - 80 mph ...heck, Harrah and his buddies would RACE each other on tours in their Thomas Flyers, Wintons, Locomobiles, Pope-Hartfords, Mercers, Stearns, etc

 

Hey, Scalhotrod,
Back in the early seventies I had a Metro like the one in your picture, a hippie van, 1953, I think the year was. I drove that thing from Miami to to San Francisco and back. I loved that truck, brown with a yellow top, back and front. I still the believe the old Metro is lurking somewhere, saved by a crazed collector.

Jerry

<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

 

Hmmmm......................Maybe, you might want to try it, with some of "excess exhaust heat", to see iffn' helps your mixture problems.........That big ol beast might benefit from it, what with the distances from the carb!!!

 

Its good to see the old girl alive again. That video had me grinning for sure!

 

There are "crazed collectors" out there?? Who'd a thunk it possible?

 

Looks like that might be kinda tricky now with the "weedburners" on it now instead of a stock exhaust manifold. Guess you could plumb coolant thru it maybe, but probably wouldn't help with cold start driveability. And I don't imagine it'll have any carb iciing issues.

 

The F6 Seagrave engine was probably designed around 1910. I haven't found the exact history on it. It seems like Seagrave, being more of a fire apparatus company, would have bought or borrowed a design from someone else. I think Lafrance used Mercedes/Simplex design then went to the Pierce Arrow V12 engine. Seagrave used the F6 engine until about 1928. Someone might know more about it than me.

Jerry

<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

 

Hey Jerry,

Very cool, I may hit you up for Metro info as I work through the van. Since you had a '53, your knowledge fits perfectly!

Chris

 

Hey Dodge,

This is even crazier. One sold at the last Barrett Jackson auction for nearly $100,000.

Chris

 

Yup, forgot about that!!!!

Howza' bout, as a test, park a heat lamp, ( or 2 )on the manifold, and bring it up to temp, before doing a test and tune???

 

Awesome job with the build. I always look forward to your updates. She is going to sound great going down the road.

 

I've been watching this build from the sidelines, love the work you're doing. So much so that I had to go to that site and do a search on Seagrave. Do you have a grill for the car? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Anti...tZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories