chrism
Squadron Leader
Posts: 128
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Post by chrism on Oct 18, 2021 18:17:33 GMT 12
Hi all, my brother and I have obtained a Wright R-1820-87 engine that was used in a Hudson bomber and are restoring it to ground running condition. Our goal is to have it mounted on a display trailer that can be taken to airshows etc where it can be displayed and run. It is obviously a reasonably big task but so far the engine looks to be in great condition and very serviceable. Unfortunately several parts are missing and we are hoping that some of you may be able to help with that. So far parts required are 1 complete cylinder 2 pistons Several pushrods and pushrod tubes Several intake pipes Rocker covers Starter Propeller governor Cuno oil filter and housing Suitable propeller and hub Quite a list I know but if anyone can help with locating some of these parts it would be greatly appreciated. We have other WW2 aircraft parts to offer as swaps if necessary. I can provide part numbers to confirm any parts. Thanks.  20211005_200917 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20210917_170610 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  received_2970833879821435 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211017_125610 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211017_175126 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211014_191300 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211010_194603 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211017_185551 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211017_185503 by Chris McDell, on Flickr |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 18, 2021 19:21:36 GMT 12
Very cool Chris. Is it from an RNZAF Hudson?
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chrism
Squadron Leader
Posts: 128
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Post by chrism on Oct 18, 2021 19:40:04 GMT 12
Yeah presumably Dave. Some parts like the exhaust are from Rukuhia and the exact origin of the engine is unknown but it has been in the Waikato for at least 3 or 4 decades. Pretty exciting. Feel free to come and have a look if you want when we are allowed to travel, I'm in Hamilton.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 18, 2021 19:41:53 GMT 12
Great!
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Post by ZacYates on Oct 18, 2021 20:14:32 GMT 12
I'm afraid I can't help with parts or advice, or come to visit (and help) as I'm in Whanganui, but what an exciting project!
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Post by Mustang51 on Oct 18, 2021 20:28:49 GMT 12
Do you have all the books?
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chrism
Squadron Leader
Posts: 128
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Post by chrism on Oct 18, 2021 20:50:54 GMT 12
Do you have all the books? Yeah I have gathered all the books I need. Amazing what's available on the net! Just downloaded them off various websites and had them printed. Denys has been very helpful with information too. |
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Post by oj on Oct 24, 2021 11:40:43 GMT 12
So you have got magnetos and ignition harness and generator Chris?
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chrism
Squadron Leader
Posts: 128
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Post by chrism on Oct 24, 2021 20:58:31 GMT 12
So you have got magnetos and ignition harness and generator Chris? I have got a full ignition harness but it is a bit damaged and a few ends are missing. Will repair ok. We have hopefully sourced 2 mags once this lockdown buggers off. There is a bit of corrosion around the generator mounting pad but should repair ok. We don't have a generator and would like to fit one but no biggie if we have to run it without one. Do you have some of the above parts? Thanks |
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Post by davidd on Oct 25, 2021 8:49:20 GMT 12
Remember that the C-60 Lodestars shipped to NZ in 1943 were also powered by the exact same type of engine, as these aircraft were also built to military contracts, so would have been fitted with military contract engines. Only the engine serial numbers might indicate which type of aircraft these engines might have arrived in New Zealand attached to, and they could have been refitted from a Hudson to a Lodestar, or vice versa. Does the engine still have the original identification plates attached, or have these vanished?
David D
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chrism
Squadron Leader
Posts: 128
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Post by chrism on Oct 25, 2021 16:33:10 GMT 12
Remember that the C-60 Lodestars shipped to NZ in 1943 were also powered by the exact same type of engine, as these aircraft were also built to military contracts, so would have been fitted with military contract engines. Only the engine serial numbers might indicate which type of aircraft these engines might have arrived in New Zealand attached to, and they could have been refitted from a Hudson to a Lodestar, or vice versa. Does the engine still have the original identification plates attached, or have these vanished? David D Yeah thanks! From my research the -87 engine was used on some experimental aircraft, Hudson, Lodestar, Brewster Buffalo and F4F-4B/Martlet IV. It could well be Lodestar. The engine mount frame that came with it has part numbers that are Hudson on it but I guess that could be the same as Lodestar too? The original data plate is still on it, will post a pic of it later. Thanks |
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Post by oj on Oct 25, 2021 16:47:14 GMT 12
I have no parts (or sourcing info) Chris but for many years ran what was probably NZ's busiest general-aviation electrical overhaul facility at AESL/NZAIL/PACL Rukuhia. We typically overhauled over 250 magnetos per year and manufactured a corresponding amount of ignition harnesses.
So as an originally Electrical LAME (later generically called Avionics) have a fair bit of experience with electrical and ignition systems stuff.
I will be pleased to offer assistance later on if you need help later to get it all humming.
Quite a lot of ex-WW2 aircraft generators were used to power mobile arc-welding sets for farmers and the like.
If you see any really old arc-welding sets lying about in old barns or motor repair garages, you might spot such a generator.
For your ground-running application the kilowatt-size or whether 12/24 volt would not matter; you are only interested in a compatible mounting pad and drive-spline.
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chrism
Squadron Leader
Posts: 128
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Post by chrism on Oct 25, 2021 17:17:27 GMT 12
I have no parts (or sourcing info) Chris but for many years ran what was probably NZ's busiest general-aviation electrical overhaul facility at AESL/NZAIL/PACL Rukuhia. We typically overhauled over 250 magnetos per year and manufactured a corresponding amount of ignition harnesses. So as an originally Electrical LAME (later generically called Avionics) have a fair bit of experience with electrical and ignition systems stuff. I will be pleased to offer assistance later on if you need help later to get it all humming. Quite a lot of ex-WW2 aircraft generators were used to power mobile arc-welding sets for farmers and the like. If you see any really old arc-welding sets lying about in old barns or motor repair garages, you might spot such a generator. For your ground-running application the kilowatt-size or whether 12/24 volt would not matter; you are only interested in a compatible mounting pad and drive-spline. Oh wow thanks for that! Yeah we will keep in touch. Are you near Hamilton? |
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chrism
Squadron Leader
Posts: 128
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Post by chrism on Oct 25, 2021 20:04:39 GMT 12
Remember that the C-60 Lodestars shipped to NZ in 1943 were also powered by the exact same type of engine, as these aircraft were also built to military contracts, so would have been fitted with military contract engines. Only the engine serial numbers might indicate which type of aircraft these engines might have arrived in New Zealand attached to, and they could have been refitted from a Hudson to a Lodestar, or vice versa. Does the engine still have the original identification plates attached, or have these vanished? David D Do any of these numbers make any sense to you? I can't seem to find anything in the manuals that lines up either way? Thanks.  20211010_144117 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211010_144110 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211010_144122 by Chris McDell, on Flickr |
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chrism
Squadron Leader
Posts: 128
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Post by chrism on Oct 25, 2021 20:13:45 GMT 12
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Post by camtech on Oct 25, 2021 20:36:07 GMT 12
Doesn't show up as an original fitment on delivery, so appears to be a spare later fitted to the aircraft.
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Post by camtech on Oct 25, 2021 21:46:22 GMT 12
That serial fits in a range that were fitted to NZ2091 to '94 on delivery, so probably delivered as a spare with that shipment.
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Post by hrvd1068 on Oct 26, 2021 7:18:36 GMT 12
I wouldnt worry about a generator. I have been running the alvis leonides radial on a trailer for a year or 2 now with no generator and only charged the starting battery twice.
Pushrod tubes you should be able to make out of stainless tube or aluminium tube. Shouldnt need a prop governor unless the oil system also feeds the gearbox from the excess governor oil. And just lock the prop in a course pitch.
Might be able to help on a cylinder and s couple of rocker covers if you have a part number?
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Post by emron on Oct 26, 2021 12:28:54 GMT 12
That serial fits in a range that were fitted to NZ2091 to '94 on delivery, so probably delivered as a spare with that shipment. 2091-2094 were Hudson VI powered by P&W R1830’s. The MkIIIA’s used the -87 Wright Cyclone. This engine was manufactured in April ‘43 so must have come in a later delivery, possibly with Lodestars NZ3511-3515. |
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chrism
Squadron Leader
Posts: 128
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Post by chrism on Oct 26, 2021 19:30:55 GMT 12
I wouldnt worry about a generator. I have been running the alvis leonides radial on a trailer for a year or 2 now with no generator and only charged the starting battery twice. Pushrod tubes you should be able to make out of stainless tube or aluminium tube. Shouldnt need a prop governor unless the oil system also feeds the gearbox from the excess governor oil. And just lock the prop in a course pitch. Might be able to help on a cylinder and s couple of rocker covers if you have a part number? Thanks for all of that, yeah we probably will make new pushrod tubes. Pretty easy to roll the beads. There are a few part numbers and supercessions for the cylinders and another number cast on them that isn't even in the parts manuals. They are 89979N2, 890118 or 890728. The rocker covers are 117234N3 and 117235N3. As the pics show below the intake port on these cylinders are on quite an angle away from the exhaust port line. I believe if the ports are like that, it has 4 bolt rocker covers and it has machined barrel cooling fins as per pics it is good to go on our engine. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.  20211026_181748 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211026_181814 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211026_181826 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211026_181930 by Chris McDell, on Flickr  20211026_181851 by Chris McDell, on Flickr |
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