Author Topic: Howell V-Twin  (Read 1534 times)

Offline cwelkie

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Howell V-Twin
« on: January 06, 2025, 09:09:24 PM »
Another runner joins the collection.  I had always admired the design and engineering of this engine.  Many years ago I purchased the drawings and hardware sets but only last year found a vacancy in the shop “schedule” to give it a go.

I followed the drawings for all things except a few material choices.  The cylinders are aluminium with cast iron liners, the timing gears are anodised aluminium (modified, manufactured R/C car components) and the cooling shrouds are brass with an aluminium duct (instead of brass).

In the end, it all just went together as hoped.  The only disappointment has to do with the powder coating on the shrouds that I “farmed out”.  The shop messed up the first time by not coating the aluminium ducts for some weird reason.  They kindly offered to re-do the job but instead of removing the first coat they laid another layer on top on overheated everything in the bargain.  As a result the solder joints started to let go.  They will either get removed, sandblasted and re-done or remain a reminder to not use that service again and get equipped to do it at home.

The undersides of the base plate is a busy place!  There is the electric starter and its solenoid, fuel pump and its speed control, fuel tank, two ignition modules with coils, control switch panel and terminal strip.  Usually I share an ignition control box between models but decided this one should be fully independent.  Power is provided by a panel mounted Anderson connector (the starter will draw upwards of 30 Amps some something substantial is required).

The fuel pump is a peristaltic unit with a 12 volt DC motor.  When I guessed at the pumping rate I over estimated and that led to making a DC motor speed control to slow it down.  For those that aren’t aware, this design uses a pump to maintain a constant level in the small reservoir at carb level.  Excess fuel drains back into the tank from the reservoir.

The ignition modules are to the Gede/Sage design.  Thanks to those gentlemen for enabling access to such a nice, easy to use ignition controller.  The coils are Ford “coil-on-plug” versions.

The starter is that used on the Chinese GY60 scooters.  I did trim back some of the housing to make more shaft available for the 15 tooth belt gear.  A 60 tooth gear for the crankshaft has a one-way bearing and a centre “adapter” that pins to the flywheel and keys to the bearing.  That and a taper lock on the flywheel itself keeps it all snug.

Well … that turned into quite the ramble!  Hope I didn’t overstay my welcome.

Oh ... the requisite video:

https://youtu.be/q-22bLM0HiE?si=itWwVeG11qeYXDL3

Offline cwelkie

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2025, 09:15:01 PM »
... and a few photos

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2025, 09:18:21 PM »
Nicely Done!
Jerry was a great designer, and you have a beautiful job on your engine!

Dave

Online Kim

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2025, 09:46:01 PM »
Very nice runner!  :ThumbsUp: :popcorn:

There is a lot packed in under the engine but it sure is organized well.  Very tidy!

Kim

Offline Art K

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2025, 11:18:30 PM »
Very nice looking engine and neat internals in the box under the engine! Out of curiosity why two ignition switches? Or does the red one just run the electrical stuff like the fuel pump?
Art
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you" B.B. King

Offline RReid

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2025, 12:31:52 AM »
That's a very nicely made and presented engine indeed. Runs great too!  :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:
Regards,
Ron

Offline Krypto

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2025, 12:51:36 AM »
Looks and runs great!
My Workshop Blog:  https://doug.sdf.org/

Offline cwelkie

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2025, 02:30:09 PM »
Thanks for the kind comments everyone.

Very nice looking engine and neat internals in the box under the engine! Out of curiosity why two ignition switches? Or does the red one just run the electrical stuff like the fuel pump?
Art

The switch panel was overkill; my excuse is that it came that way.  The lighted and guarded switch is used as a master switch to "arm" the starter, ignition and fuel pump switches.  The pushbutton operates the starter solenoid, the first toggle turns on the fuel pump and the second toggle energizes both ignition modules.  It turns out, that it was helpful to just run the full pump while setting its speed.

Charlie

Offline Art K

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2025, 11:40:11 PM »
Quote
The switch panel was overkill; my excuse is that it came that way.
But it looks really cool!
Art
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you" B.B. King

Offline rjconway

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2025, 02:27:59 PM »
That looks fabulous.   
I have been looking at cerakote instead of powder coating as it seems I can achieve this at-home with an airbrush.   Still is a oven bake but seems alot easier than powder coating.

Offline Admiral_dk

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Re: Howell V-Twin
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2025, 07:38:45 PM »
Great result Charlie - Looks good and runs very well  :ThumbsUp:

Per         :cheers:

 

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