Hot Rods THE INDUCTION THREAD

1954 photo By Racer Brown
This shot shows a 45 degree log, on which the Hilborn Fuel Injector throats are mounted and the fabricated blower driveshaft housing.

Hello,

In 1960, my brother decided that he wanted to build his 348 motor in the 58 Impala. He liked the power from the stock motor, won a lot of trophies in the class at Lions, and also got tired of not winning against some larger horsepower cars, too. So, he read a lot of factual information sheets, talked to our friends at Reath Automotive and Mickey Thompson’s shop, just down the street from our house. He wanted “more power!"

He also wanted something that no one else had at the time in their hot Chevy cars. So, he decided on a Racer Brown Cam and Lifter Kit. It was a little known brand from So Cal by the automotive writer, Racer Brown. We were told that this particular grind camshaft and lifters for our 348 motor had the ability of a lot of top end power that helped win races with all other things being fairly equal.

It sounded like what we wanted, so that was our choice. Reath Automotive was not wrong as the Impala, now had that come from behind power in any race to scoot by the opponent before the half way marker was passed. (...IF, we had a bad start)
Our favorite T-Shirt
While looking through some technical articles, I found a simple, but different photo story authored by the same, Racer Brown, from Los Angeles.

Jnaki

“Perhaps the most interesting part of this particular engine is the blower. This unit was originally designed for use on 6-71 series 426 cubic inch GMC diesel two-stroke engines. The supercharge pressure, or boost, is between six and seven psi on the GMC engine and maximum blower speed is about 3200 rpm, being geared to rotate twice the speed of the engine. “

“For the Buick engine, the blower was overhauled by local GMC field engineers, using all new gears, bearings, shafts and seals. The clearance between the outside of the blower rotors and the inside of the case was increased from .006 of an inch to .010 of an inch to allow sufficient rotor to case clearance at blower speeds of 7000 rpm. The blower is driven from the end of the crankshaft by a special extension crank, replacing the crank nut."

"A timing chain sprocket was pressed onto the shaft and keyed into position. The splined blower driveshaft extension was made for this installation, as was the driveshaft extension housing. A timing chain sprocket, identical to the one used on the crank extension, is pressed and keyed to the blower driveshaft, giving the blower a 1 to 1 ratio in relation to engine speed.”

“The two sprockets are connected by a one inch wide timing chain, specially made for the occasion. With this size blower an engine and the 1 to 1 gearing, boost pressure should be in the order of eight to nine psi, gauge. A slight loss of boost pressure is almost certain at low and moderate engine speeds., due to the increased rotor-to-case clearance, but this should be nullified above 4000 rpm.”

“The manifold beneath the blower resembles a shallow cake pan, with openings cut into the sides that coincide with the intake ports in the heads. This was fabricated from steel sheet and plate and is screwed to an aluminum plate to which the blower is bolted. On the bottom of the manifold there is a spring-loaded pressure relief valve, set to release at 25 psi, which prevents damage to the blower in case of backfiring through the intake system.”

“Carburetion problems are handled by a Hilborn Fuel Injection System. This injector represents the only usable remains from Chet Herbert's ill-fated four-cylinder two-stroke engine that demolished itself during a dyno run last year. The two pairs of injector throats are mounted to a 45 degree adapter, which in turn is mounted on top of the blower.”
Racer Brown photos

1954 Owner-builder Walt Murray poses beside his pride and joy. Expected brake horsepower output is 450 on straight methanol.

 

As has been pointed out already. when these pictures have been posted. It appears that this setup will turn the blower backwards and it will pump from the engine to the atmosphere.

 

At The Cecil County Nostalgia Race 2019



From the web

 

[/QUOTE]

Reversed photo:

 

WOW! SUPER CLEAN!!
Any more info on this Rod?...
Builder?
Engine / Hilborn Builder?

 

I took these pictures at a drag race in Amarillo, TX.

 

I see this from time to time. I always look for other things in the picture to determine if the picture is flipped, or if the engine is mocked up wrong.
This picture shows the owner with his hands on the engine.
His shirt has the buttons on the correct side for a mens shirt. This tells me the photo is not flipped.

 

I was wrong. Your absolutely right.

 

Which still leaves us wondering what's the story with the blower turning backwards?

 

This may help me sleep. $11.00 used back-issue. Be here in a week.

 

Took these pictures at Amarillo drag strip. Carroll Caudles record holding chevy from back in the day. Carroll drove this from his shop to the strip made a few passes then back to his shop, it sounded real good.

 

That's^^^^^freakin' nice!....

 

Someone knows how to use a bender....Must be an Electrician or a Plumber...NICE JOB!

 

I usually clean off the bend marks when I'm done.

 

Sounds like you don't approve....

 

After looking closer I see that the spark plug wires are not connected. So I'm going to say that the picture is of a work in progress and that the bend guide marks will go away when the (beautifully bent) tubing is polished.