American Hot Rod Update

[HRTV]

The past year has been filled with improvements, yet there have been a couple of frustrations that have hindered the production of the improved American Hot Rod engines. Improvements in the durability and reliability have continued to be made. Just to review, the crankcase was beefed up; a new less expensive ignition system was devised; the new type flywheel was spin-tested to 17,000 rpm to assure its safety, new Tillotson carburetors were identified and we are working with the importer to dial them in. The previously used Lectron carburetors are no longer available, but the Tillotson’s promise to provide equal performance with easier adjustments. Most all parts are now in production and available, with the exception of the new crankcase which is being cast now, the new version lower unit with the longer skeg which has been cast and is now being machined, and the crankshaft, which has become a real roadblock so far. After seeking bids from many U.S. crankshaft manufacturers, each and every one of them initially thought they could produce the crank at prices that racers could afford only to return final bids consistently three times their original guestimate. China was considered and I talked with State officials who maintain a liaison with China for manufacturing trade. The result was that for the low quantities and critical dimensions involved with a racing engine, going to China for the crankshafts would not be feasible nor cost effective and quality standards would not be consistent with our needs. . Even cast iron cranks were considered, but quickly ruled out in our quest for a durable component.

* Please click on the word file below to read the full update with photo's

[elda nichols]

hot rod

Is The Rods Going To Get Enough Of Lube?????????????looks Wild....

[Ron Selewach]

Oil to rods

Yes, with conventional carb-in-front crankcase designs, the oil in the rods is constantly flushed out by new gas/oil mixture each revolution of the crank. With the side carb, once the piston top shuts off the intake port, the upward movement of the piston then draws gas/oil down into the crankcase, but because the rods are not directly washed by a stream of fresh gas/oil, the oil ac***ulates in the bearings and is not as readily washed out. This design should provide better lubrication to all the bearings.

Don't know why the board won't accept my spelling of ac***ulates without putting astericks in it?

[mercguy]

Yes, with conventional carb-in-front crankcase designs, the oil in the rods is constantly flushed out by new gas/oil mixture each revolution of the crank. With the side carb, once the piston top shuts off the intake port, the upward movement of the piston then draws gas/oil down into the crankcase, but because the rods are not directly washed by a stream of fresh gas/oil, the oil ac***ulates in the bearings and is not as readily washed out. This design should provide better lubrication to all the bearings.

Don't know why the board won't accept my spelling of ac***ulates without putting astericks in it?

VERY NICE job Ron!! Yep, sort of resembles the Yamato's! If the new Hot Rods are as reliable as the stock Yamato's, then sign me up for one! Although I have never ran a Hot Rod, they never really drew my attention, but these new ones you are building DO.........let me be your West Coast "tester" for one!!! Also sounds like Ed and the boys have trained you well on outboard motors and their theory of operation and build. Boy, you have gone a LONG way since we first met about .....uh.......8yrs or so ago???? I bet you do not have much time anymore for that "collection" you have huh!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!

[PopPop]

New Hot Rod

Rumor has it, that the prototype will be available for viewing and drooling at the Region-3 banquet, this Saturday.

[jsilvestri]

Ron and all involved,

Great job with the new engine! I can't wait to see one in person. Thanks for the update.

[Hydroman]

I'm fairly new to the sport. Is this an engine to replace the yamato in the future?

[hydroracer25]

Hydroman,

As I understand it Hot Rod will come out with a new "B" class engine first. Whether it is a 15ci or 20ci is probably still tbd. Second priority is to develop a new "A" engine. I'm sure their hands will be full with these to endevors and as you know the Yamato classes (C and 20) are very strong, so I'm sure there will be little to no changes with them.

Hope this helps some, but someone on the commission may be better suited to answer.

Mark

[xcelerator]

carbs

so the till's are in effect...were mikuni carbs ruled out of the picture? They are extremely tuneable, all levels of throttle positions can be tuned...just curious

[Ron Selewach]

Shawn, thanks for the question. The Mikuni's were considered, and are still under consideration. We'll be testing them both, although the Mikuni's are somewhat more expensive. Testing starts in 2 - 3 weeks, so we'll have a better idea soon.
Ron

[BORD]

Any update on this? How is the motor comming along?

[Jim Porter]

To: Ron Selewach
I re-read the excellent February article on the new "Hot Rod" or whatever name gets applied to this engine and was wondering, 4 months later, how's it coming? Any progress report? Did i miss a posting?

[T Chance]

New Hot Rod

My first racing motor was a 12-1/2 c.i. Hot Rod and my first NEW Racing motor was a B Hot Rod. I paid $150.00 for it. My next door neighbor was a Champion dealer, and just about the time Champion was going out of business he built me a motor using all new parts. Only problem was he used a Sweet 16 powerhead and it didn't go very fast; but it did have all the other Hot Rod stuff including the factory open exhaust stack and the alcohol conversion for the carburator. Now a half a century later I'm thinking my last NEW motor is going to be a Hot Rod (I'll budget a little more than $150.00 though). - Tim Chance

[Ron Selewach]

Racing Outboard update #4 - September 2006

Hi, everyone - attached is the latest update on progress to date.

We'd also like to thank everyone for their enthusiasm, encouragement, and patience. It is well worth the wait.

Best regards,
Ron Selewach

[kws]

Thanks for the update Ron