old race tech-question

i posted on the main board but it fell off like a rock.

two questions;
1--twin engine dragsters, when one motor is in front of the other, what is the prefered method to connect them?

2--what is the best way to time them so they run well together.
both tdc at no1 or 180 degrees out or some other configuration?

 

One method I've seen is to adapt a coupler off an engine dyno , they seem to be able to absorb the flex between the engines .
Run her as at 180 apart , sounds better.

 

This AA/Gas Dragster run by the Gopher State Timing Association was restored a few years ago by my friend Don Groff (on the right by the engine with the red cap). The Chryslers are connected by sprockets and double roller chain. I believe the sprocket on the crank snout was held on with two keyways, which had to transmit all the power of one engine. I don't know how they were phased. There is a twin engine dragster website out there somewhere.

 

thanks guys,

any other info or pics of the couplings themselves would be great.

anybody know who might make the chain couplers or is that strickly up to a machine shop?

i found one twin engine site. it was great for history. lots of pictures and lists of current cars. no tech to speak of.

 

What's in your mind?
r

 

The blue twin in this thread was mine. The coupler was not sprockets and chain (sorry Bob) but rather a gear setup. I'll elaborate a bit. I had Wheplo (and sons) recreate the coupler he made in 1970. One part is a gear about 2-1/2" dia bored to fit on the crank snout and keyed. The other part had blind internal teeth to match and bolted to the crank flange. There was some minor lash to allow for chassis flex and mount misalignment. This requires custom gear hobbing but that was one part of his buisness. I'm thinking it cost about $600 to make.

I had the motors set to fire like a v16 cause I thought it might sound cool. It DID! The old crew mwmbwers from 1970 said they ran it with various phasing and it didn't affect the ET's

 

Sorry, dametalcrafter. I took a stab at it and guessed wrong. Talked to Don (I'll bet you know him very well) at the GSTA show when the car was shown and somehow I came up with the wrong answer. Did George originally build the frame for the twin?

 

thanks for the info. any chance of pics?

 

George did build the chassis and he put one of his early (1970) SEMA tags on it. That led the finder in Iowa to George to ID the car, along with the live axel Dana 60 rear end he built.

 

George did body the anatomy and he put one of his aboriginal (1970) SEMA tags on it. That led the finder in Iowa to George to ID the car, forth with the reside axel Dana 60 rear end he congenital.

 

I'm sure this OHV thing is just a passing phase