On Jan 17, 10:05*am, John Kimmel wrote:
bildan wrote:
I've been kicking this idea around with some mechanical engineers for
a couple of years.

Motorcycle in-line fours are state of the art high performance engines
unencumbered by smog controls. *They get more than 100HP per liter
with some at 140 HP/liter. *Of course, they rev like a dentist's
drill.

More importantly, the cylinder/head assembly just bolts to the
crankcase. *Now, think of 7 or 9 of these in-line water cooled 4-cyl
blocks arranged radially around a common crankcase.

To make it work, you have to make the case, crank and new master/
articulating connecting rods. *You'd also need a gear case to drive
the cam chains. *Finally, you'd need some serious gear reduction
(~7:1) *planetary gear set in the nose case. *I'd also use an aircraft-
type fuel injection system instead of carbs.

If it worked, in the case of 9 cylinder blocks, you'd have a 36
cylinder, 500 pound, 30" diameter, 1000HP+ liquid cooled radial
reminiscent of a half scale Lycoming XR7755.

Now build a slick little carbon composite airplane around the monster
and take it to Reno. *I'll bet the sound alone would wow the crowds.

Already been done.http://www.bigbikeriders.com/48cyl.htm

--
John Kimmel


I think it will be quiet around here now. *So long.

Actually, I think I made a mistake on the 30" diameter. I got that by
measuring the distance from the crank center to the top of the valve
covers of a Kawasaki. That's fine for a 4-cylinder but a radial is a
different matter.

To make room for 9 blocks and the intake/exhaust manifolds that go
between them, the engine diameter would have to be larger. Maybe 42"
- 48" diameter would work.