I don't want to re-invent the wheel on this project Any information regarding someone who has ALREADY added a clutch / transmission to one of these .... I am working on a Prewar race car that was built with one of these big 6's, and want to have a clutch and gearbox instead of the direct drive Dave at OldSchool Restorations North Alabama [email protected]
Have a friend with a Model A transmission and 28A multi-disc clutch behind one of these. I'm copying your post and e-mailing it to him. Stay tuned. The driver has his left hand on the clutch operating lever. Obviously there is no starter.
Great minds think alike.......first thing I thought about when I saw your post was the Cunningham Ranger from Iowa......28Dreyer should be a big help. I also have seen a running Ranger engine displayed at the Iowa State Fair in years past. It was displayed with an antique power group up on the hill in the fairgrounds with other historical equipment. I do not remember if there was any type of clutch/trans setup on it. Also, there was a Ranger engined sprint car in the WAAM Museum in Hood River Oregon when I went thru it several years ago. The people who founded and run the museum are really good people and may be able to tell you how it is configured or share pictures.
Wow1 How cool is this? The Ranger was fairly common in dirt track and roundy round racing even until the early 60's! I really admire you tackling this, PLEASE keep us posted! A longshot might be to contact Planes of Fame in Chino, they have a huge shop, someone might know something.GOOD LUCK!
There was a Bonneville/lakes roadster that got some magazine coverage in the '50s with one of these...the articles MIGHT give some clues. I have no idea which magazines featured the thing...but I betcha someone here will identify all of them in about 10 minutes.
Oooops...my bad regarding the Cunningham Ranger. This response from the owner... "The back end, actually front end, of the Ranger is quite tapered. Gene fashioned a short housing to connect the in/out box. No clutch or tranny. There is a guys in Florida who has a Ranger in a sprint car. It has a starter/ clutch and tranny." I don't know the car but if you don't have any connections down there PM me for a contact. My original posting remarks actually had to do with his (the owner's) other car so in the photo, that is the brake lever.
Dave...I've just learned there was an adapter made for the Ranger that fit an early model Ford Transmission or a CAE in/out box. Perhaps that is what you have in the car now. If not, there is one available up here. PM me if you would like the contact.
If you contact Joshua Shaw on here, I believe he has some experience with these Sent from my SM-G900P using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
As I am reading all these comments, I am curious what the price range is on these Ranger engines. I have stumbled over one at a hoarders property several times. I no longer have what it takes to build a car around one, but still have thoughts of getting one running on an engine stand and just making noise with it. Does anyone have any pricing/value guesses ? Thanks
@tractorguy I regularly search for Ranger engines on ebay and they pop up from time to time. They sell between $600-$1500, a month back one sold for $745. RANGER FAIRCHILD AIRCRAFT ENGINE L440 Good shape whole Engine
If I recall correctly one of the Green Monster drag cars that the Arfons brothers ran used a Ranger aircraft engine.Not sure whether it was direct drive or not.
Here's the car, and the motor. In the picture, the dual Strombergs are off, and the intakes upside down to prevent moisture
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