Firstly, thank you for accepting me into this forum.
I have always had a soft spot for the grace of the Spitfire and the sound that its iconic power plant produces.
So back in 2009 I bought investment castings from Richard Maheu in California for a quarter scale V12 Merlin engine. I have lost touch with him since but the castings he produced are absolute works of art, a pleasure to hold and behold.
Engineer, recently retired, I have now a bit more time to spend on building this engine.
I have some self taught experience using small conventional machine tools, I enjoy making things on machine tools, but I don't qualify as an engine builder.
Indeed this is my first engine - its complex to say the least - a real challenge, and seeing now the time it is taking it might well be my last!!
I know this is not "a first" and I take my hat off to those here that have already built and run this engine.
I began by machining a number of the parts needed essentially from bar stock, this as a bit of a test really, before turning attention to the castings... the water pump first, then the front gear box cover, the crank case, the lower crank case, and now the cylinder blocks, a few tense moments in front of some of the challenges but up till now so far so good I think....
I am hoping that if/when I get to be unsure, I might be able to get a bit of advice from the experts on this forum.
For example I have absolutely no idea how to put together the magnetos and ignition system.
And I don't know too much about valves and the rating and dimensions of the valve springs.
Happy and successful engine building to one and all....
Lloyd W.
I have always had a soft spot for the grace of the Spitfire and the sound that its iconic power plant produces.
So back in 2009 I bought investment castings from Richard Maheu in California for a quarter scale V12 Merlin engine. I have lost touch with him since but the castings he produced are absolute works of art, a pleasure to hold and behold.
Engineer, recently retired, I have now a bit more time to spend on building this engine.
I have some self taught experience using small conventional machine tools, I enjoy making things on machine tools, but I don't qualify as an engine builder.
Indeed this is my first engine - its complex to say the least - a real challenge, and seeing now the time it is taking it might well be my last!!
I know this is not "a first" and I take my hat off to those here that have already built and run this engine.
I began by machining a number of the parts needed essentially from bar stock, this as a bit of a test really, before turning attention to the castings... the water pump first, then the front gear box cover, the crank case, the lower crank case, and now the cylinder blocks, a few tense moments in front of some of the challenges but up till now so far so good I think....
I am hoping that if/when I get to be unsure, I might be able to get a bit of advice from the experts on this forum.
For example I have absolutely no idea how to put together the magnetos and ignition system.
And I don't know too much about valves and the rating and dimensions of the valve springs.
Happy and successful engine building to one and all....
Lloyd W.
