Builders,
Our Neighbor Paul Salter has a 3,000cc Corvair Powered Panther. The engine on it is actually the one from Dan Weseman’s Prototype Panther. It has the first SPA-Made in USA Billet crank in it. Just about the time Paul was finishing his airframe, Dan was getting his 3.3Liter Billet crank stroker engine going. Because the three of us take risk management seriously, an intelligent plan was formed where the proven engine with several hundred hours on it would move to Pauls new airframe, and the new 3.3 Liter engine would be tested on Dan’s proven airframe. Common sense tells you this is a better plan than New engine/new airframe. Because we are all friends at the same airport, moving the motors around was not a big issue.
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In 2012, when Dan was very busy finishing the Panther Prototype, many friends showed up to play any small role that would let Dan focus more energy and hours on his then-new design. My part was I offered to assemble and test run Dan’s Corvair engine.
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Above, Dan Weseman and I test run his 3,000 cc Panther engine in my front yard in 2012.
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About a month ago, Paul decided to inspect the 3,000cc engine and remove some of the non standard test items off the engine (like a special oil pan with an inspection window for monitoring cam gears) and to remove some lead build up from the combustion chambers. The engine had been on his plane about two years, so it has five birthdays. No big deal, it was some gaskets and a weekend of casual work.
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Paul Called me after he got started and asked if I remembered “leaving anything in the engine” when I assembled it in 2012. I said no, but he did get my attention, as I imagined what he might have found. I drove over to his place to see this:
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Above, Paul is holding the top cover. The lettering was inside the engine since I closed it in 2012. No one else had seen this, and honestly I had forgotten all about it.
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Above, a close up look. The handwriting is mine.
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If you would like to lean more about the SPA billet corvair cranks you can check out their products page or give them a call at 904-626-7777.
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Wewjr.
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All I can say is….Nice!
William, My first thought after reading this was that, had I known that you were going to do that, I would have gladly paid for the engraving to make it look nice. But then I thought, the hand written markings are far better than any engraving. It was perfect! Thanks for sharing.
The billet crank is a piece of art. Too bad it has to be covered up !!
My 3L with billet crank in now sitting on the mount in my new Zenith Cruzer. I have tons of work left yet, but I’m getting there.
Jeff
What Material is this Billet Crank made from? What do they Cost?
Best answered direct by SPA, call them at 904 626 7777
Happy Halloween,,!