Squint Scale Curtiss Model K Aero I4

[RReid]

Thank you Bent!

[Roger B]

Looking good    Nearly there   

[RReid]

Thanks Roger!

Working on a number of loose ends. Remade the "horseshoe magnet" of the magneto for a better, more prototypical appearance. Also made up some discs for Hall effect magnets. One for the crankshaft gear, one for the magneto drive gear. A third option for a magnet location is the cam gear, which has a large enough OD to not need a separate disc. The plan is to use two TIM-6 ignition modules and two Hall effect triggers, one firing cylinders 1 & 4, the other firing 2 & 3 in a wasted spark configuration. Finally, a mounting bar for the dummy water pump. Some pictures next time.

[scc]

NICE            Terry

[RReid]

Thanks Terry!

Here are the pictures I promised in the last post. Below is the original “horseshoe magnet”, and next to it the unpainted new version. Those early magnetos actually have two magnets mounted side by side. Since I thought it would work better to bend one piece rather than two (and hope they come out the same), and I didn't think that trying to make a cut after bending would work out well, I tried to simulate the gap between with a scribed line and and different shade of black to suggest the shadow in the gap. The bending worked well, the visual trickery not so much. Then it occurred to me that, since the back of the part is basically invisible, I could make a cut up the middle of the blank only part way, then do the bending. This worked well and looks much more convincing.


Here's the back side, showing how the cut stops short. I used aviation snips to make the cut. A razor saw would also work, but the blade in mine is toast. Needs to be but hasn't yet been replaced.


Painted and in place.


This last photo shows the two ali disks, behind each of the smaller gears, which will carry a Hall effect magnet for the ignition system.

Also shown is the “water pump”, which is due to get a bit more work for appearances sake. The mounting bar for it functions also to limit the movement of the camshaft in that direction. The cam bearing at that end of the crankcase is flanged, but the flange is on the outside so that it can be pulled out, allowing for the removal of the entire camshaft. Originally I had thought to fix that bearing in place with a set screw, but using the mounting bar serves the same purpose more simply. I also need to order some shorter set screws for the gears!

[bent]

Looking good!  Am I correct in thinking the magneto is a look-alike, not part of the actual ignition train?  I'm assuming the hall effect points are driving the actual battery/coil ignition like most other model engines?

[RReid]

Am I correct in thinking the magneto is a look-alike, not part of the actual ignition train?  I'm assuming the hall effect points are driving the actual battery/coil ignition like most other model engines?

Hi Bent. That's correct, the magneto is not functional at all, just there for looks and to justify the second small gear. If I can use it to hide some wiring so much the better, but it's so small I doubt it will even get that job.

[RReid]

The next projects have been a new and better engine stand, and a fuel tank along with its mounting columns.

The fuel tank started as a brass pipe nipple that has been in the junk drawer for years. I turned the threads off, and bored it out slightly to clean up the inside and increase the volume a bit.


The end caps and filler cap were basic turning jobs, while the filler neck and the tube nipple were recycled from parts made for other purposes but not used.




The carburetor I plan to use, at least initially, came off of an Irvine 20 “Black Head” model airplane engine I've had since ~1980. I tried running it on my V-twin some time ago with success, so I know it can work. A vintage carb for a vintage engine.




I didn't take any separate pics of the new engine stand, but it shows up in this last photo. It will be getting a coat of paint eventually.

[cnr6400]

 

[Kim]

Nice fuel tank you fabed up there, Ron.  And the base looks great too.  You're going to be done with this before we know it! 

Kim

[Dave Otto]

Everything is looking real nice Ron!

Dave

[RReid]

Thanks guys!
Another family time work stoppage coming up, so it will still be awhile yet.

[bent]

Looking spiffy!