Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

I was watching "Moster Garage" the other night, they were building a multi-engine tractor for pulling. They coupled together a pair of 502s end to end. Anyone know if this was the kinf of setup used on the 4 engine/2 drive "Dirty Laundry" a few years ago?
Also anyone know of a source for couplers like the one used, or drop boxes used on multi-engine tractors?
Gary

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Those couplers are just chain couplers that can be found at an industrial supply store like McMaster Carr.... www.mcmaster.com

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

SCS and Weismann both make Drop boxes etc.

SCS Gearboxes

Weismann

Weismann's website is being worked on but he's on the
board allot as ( shifter ) his name is Pat. W if you call
there.

Ask for Mike if you call SCS.

Cougarman

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Dirty Laundry used our ASD10-16 Dual input drive. Two engines into one drive unit.

One does not need an additional drop box to run these drives as the drive has two input shafts.

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Check with Prime Time Marine in Ontario (or in that area). they have rigged a Ski race Boat with a single motor and two drives.

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Anyone happen to notice how they bolted the coupler to the front of the engine. A flange with shaft/keyway would be easy enogh to fabricate and bolt to the flywheel. But Im not sure what they bolted to the front of the other motor. The crank and key doesnt stick out far enough to put a coupler on. A I wouldnt think the balancer would be strong enough to bolt another engine to.
Also, anyone know much about these. Do you run both cranks strait up or 45 dgrees off to even out all 16 cylinder firing?
Gary

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Didn't the drives from dirty laundry go into Bob Russell's boat four of a kind a few years back?

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Back in the 60's a drag racre by the name of Tommy Ivo built and raced several multi-engined vehicles. His last was a four engined, all wheel drive car. Two engines were coupled together , front to back, and driving the rear wheels while the other two, facing backward, drove the front. There was one he built where two engines sat side by side then coupled by a single gearbox to drive the rear wheels.

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

More Ivo

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Yes the spare set of drives that Joe Mach had ended up on the 50' Outerlimits that Jim Leonardo owned.

I have a customer with a "Kit Car" that he placed three (3) small block chevy engines crank to crank to crank and uses a single starter to start them. 12 pipes per side!

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

That's one hell of a starter! :eek:
I'd like to see the battery.

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Just considering how to build a relatively cheap/reliable 100+ mph Ozarks (big water) boat.
Couple 2 pair of 365s (forged crank) or maybe built SBC motors. Counter rotate 2, run them through crash boxes into inline ASD 6s or 8s (1:1, no reduction) Hopefully, they could spin 26" props w/o reduction. All in a 37' Active cat (already a heavy boat).
Any thoughts on how stupid this project would be if I already had the drives/trannys and hull?
Gary

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

So are you saying four engines total then?

Two engines back to back for each drive?

Does sound intersting, = 700 cubes + for each
drive.

Wonder over the long haul if that would be more
or less reliable. Then single,big stoked out big blocks
per side.

Cougarman

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Yep, 2 end to end on each side. Lots of torque.
It's been my experience that the 330 hp 7.4 (carb) is probably the most reliable with the 365 (carb, forged bottom end) a close second, and relatively cheap.
And the cost of a pair of 365s (crate motors, or rebuilt used) is a lot less than any tall deck monster.
Oh yeah, forget about fuel cost :p

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

My customer went to his Chevy dealer and purchased three crate motors, I think they are 350/350's.

He timed the engines @ 45 degrees I think, I cannot remember how but I will be seeing him at SEMA next week and will find the details and what coupler method he used.

Re: Multi-Engine/Single drive setups
 

Thanks Rik! BTW, I've got a pair of old inline 6s. You think they'll hold up to twin BBC torque at a 1:1 ratio?