Although I'm still in the early  construction phase of  my Russian A25 look alike amphibian, I have to now make the final decision of my engine mounting detail.

I plan on doing exactly what Ken would not suggest - I want to mount the engine below the main wing inside the hull with a belt or chain drive to the prop on top.

Would this be practical in the sense of the longer belt or chain to be used and could anyone suggest whether a chain or belt drive should be preferred.

Paul, I know you sent me a drawing on this before, but what I really now want to know is: can the belt/chain be made longer (without adding too much extra weight) and still be reliable?

Another question - this might be no more than mere scheming (but everything starts with an idea) - would a 13B be able (with minor Mods) to run on it's head like an outboard motor? If so, would it be feasible to even consider mounting a outboard engine bottom section (which includes the gearbox at the bottom) inverted on top of the 13B and mount the prop exactly where the boat prop used to be.

This forum is all about new ideas being implemented and that's why I am taking the liberty of posting these questions here.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Hennie


I would use a belt as a long chain would be very heavy.
Perhaps two belts as you could get more than 3:1 reduction with
smaller pulleys. The top pulley being smaller would
be less frontal area for a more streamlined configuration.
This would lead to a more effcient prop.

The engine relies on the gravity vector pointing straight
down. That is how the rotors are cooled. Oil is injected
under pressure into the rotor openings and it finds its way
out and straight down into the oil pan through the black
passages in this rotor housing cut away. Consequently
the rotors would probably be improperly cooled.

Also the 9 pound weight of the rotors would bear on the
end housings probably increasing the wear on the power
out end and center housing wear surfaces.

People have run the engine
rotated 90 degrees about the e-shaft axis however without
apparent damage.  Unfortunately this puts the hottest part
of the water jacket at the top of the engine and that is
where the steam bubbles tend to form. As long as the cooling
system is vented properly this does not seem to hurt but
I don't recommend it as it could damage the rotor housings
if some coolant leaks out of the engine.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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