Black Widow V8 difficulty?

neil_1821 · Oct 15, 2023

I’ve been wanting to build a V8 engine at some point along the way, although I’m currently in the middle of building a 5” Lion at the moment but there is an opportunity for me to buy the castings and drawings for the Black Widow V8.

I’ve been trying to do some research but there is very little out there and I’m wondering if anyone could post any pictures or their experience on how difficult it wound be to make? I initially thought I’d do the little demon V8 but after seeing a few videos on YouTube the black widow looks and sounds magnificent and I know there are very few casting kits still available.

Cessnadriver · Nov 11, 2023

I just recently purchased the castings and drawings for the Black Widow. It seems like there is some information missing. Curious if anyone has details on the distributer drive and rotor? Also looking for pushrod details and well as the lifters. I also don’t see any information on the water pump/oil pump pulleys and belt. I maybe too spoiled after working with the Little Demon plans.

k2steve · Dec 12, 2023

Cessnadriver said:
I just recently purchased the castings and drawings for the Black Widow. It seems like there is some information missing. Curious if anyone has details on the distributer drive and rotor? Also looking for pushrod details and well as the lifters. I also don’t see any information on the water pump/oil pump pulleys and belt. I maybe too spoiled after working with the Little Demon plans.

I am in the same boat as you, I don't understand the plans or stuff is missing as you stated. M y trouble is in the same areas as you stated. If you come across easier to read (understand) plans, please forward a copy to me.....Steve

Cessnadriver · Dec 13, 2023

I am working on my own cad drawings. I am starting on the block here shortly and work on drawings for the missing items. I was given a phone number for one of the original designers and I have yet to call him. I have been too busy with my full time job. There are more in the same boat so maybe between us all we can get this completed. ....... Mark

k2steve · Jul 8, 2024

Cessnadriver said:
I am working on my own cad drawings. I am starting on the block here shortly and work on drawings for the missing items. I was given a phone number for one of the original designers and I have yet to call him. I have been too busy with my full time job. There are more in the same boat so maybe between us all we can get this completed. ....... Mark

Have you been able to do anything with this project yet?

Cessnadriver · Jul 9, 2024

k2steve said:
Have you been able to do anything with this project yet?

My plan was to take the drawings and redo them in Fusion which I did start. I started with the block and than the heads and noticed that the combustion XO chambers do not line up with the cylinder bores per the drawings, so the heads need redone. The mount holes line up but not the combustion chambers. I did talk with Dwight and got the impression you makes things fit as you go. He got me in touch with another gentleman and he was going to look for the original drawings. So far no luck. This has been put on the back burner for now as I am busy with my full time job. I will keep plugging at it when I get time.

Mark

zman92020 · Sep 27, 2024

I machined one of the first castings sets approx 15 years ago when the only 'plans' were hand drawn and the dimensions were just a hint of what you needed to do. . It was a real seat of the pants project. . .just as has been posted on this thread.
I am now starting another one. . this time I managed to find some real CAD drawings but once again the dimensions of the individual parts don't seem to line up with other assemblies. . . You have to start with the block and double check all stated dimensions 2 to 3 times against the crank and head dimensions for fit .
This time I made a fixture to fit the crank bores so the block is perfectly vertical and horizontal to the axis of my mill. . . Then the block can have a final milling to the pan, head and intake surfaces too insure parallelism.

A typical problem is the main bearing web panels are not wide enough to allow machining to meet the crank bearing locations while keeping the bearings a proper distances. . seems to me this is where you have to alter the crank / block dimensions to fit the casting dimensions to the crank. . .
If nothing else the whole process is a great mental exercise

Cessnadriver · Sep 27, 2024

zman92020 said:
I machined one of the first castings sets approx 15 years ago when the only 'plans' were hand drawn and the dimensions were just a hint of what you needed to do. . It was a real seat of the pants project. . .just as has been posted on this thread.
I am now starting another one. . this time I managed to find some real CAD drawings but once again the dimensions of the individual parts don't seem to line up with other assemblies. . . You have to start with the block and double check all stated dimensions 2 to 3 times against the crank and head dimensions for fit .
This time I made a fixture to fit the crank bores so the block is perfectly vertical and horizontal to the axis of my mill. . . Then the block can have a final milling to the pan, head and intake surfaces too insure parallelism.

A typical problem is the main bearing web panels are not wide enough to allow machining to meet the crank bearing locations while keeping the bearings a proper distances. . seems to me this is where you have to alter the crank / block dimensions to fit the casting dimensions to the crank. . .
If nothing else the whole process is a great mental exercise

I would love to see the fixture if you care to share?

Black Widow V8 difficulty?

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