Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "John McNarry"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Side-beamsThanks for all the excellent methods. I will use the main beam stock, taper it to the tail beam size, and router the gusset step into it. Thanks again.Norm________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Gdascomb(at)aol.com
Early on in my search, someone told me that a Model "B" could be used. Thesewere used in alot of the older combines, can be found readily througout themidwest in farm machinery junk yards. How true is this ? and are theyactually a usable engine to start with ?Hi Bet and RobinThe B engine is externally very similar to the A but it has a heaviercrankshaft. Some of the later engines used in '33 and '34 Ford commercialvehicles as options had counter weighted crank shafts.The B has pressure fed mains. The '32 B engine has enough of a crankincrease over the A that it can be safely drilled to provide full pressureoiling to the rod bearings. Bernard Pietenpols 1933 plans show how topressurize A main bearings but the rods still require a modified oil pan forsplash lube. The specs on the B state that it produces 50 HP in standardform but I suspect that they just ran it faster. Other notice abledifferences are the external fuel pump drive, no oil drain tube on sidecover and a different water pump easily recognized by its three bolt flange.I choose the B because the drilled crank option allows me to make a lighteroil pan and then the wieght difference is minor. The rod and main dimensionson a B are very close to a Continental 0-200.As far as useable goes, How much work are you willing to do? Any engine thatyou get will need a major overhaul unless it came from a certified aircraftwith logs and service records and even then I may not trust it.The Funk Brothers Aircraft company used a B engine modified to run invertedand had it certified.So the B, alBiet modified, is the only certfied automotive engine I knowof.I have really enjoyed building my B engine and having flown behind an A I'mlooking forward to Flying it.Hope this helps,John Mc________________________________________________________________________________