Dale,  I wouldn't classify housings that cose $2650.00 apiece for end
housings as cost effective. As a basis for a four rotor I am not
comfortable with the series cooling at continuous 6400 RPM. Using 390 or
398 alloy housings no coatings for wear are needed. This material (390)
is used in lawn mower engines and despite the post last week that it
wasn't successful in the chevrolet vega it was. The problems with the
vega were a result of cost cutting on the part of GM where they used a
much too small radiator and other cooling system problems. With no
maintenance of coolant level there were overheating issues. During
overhaul after overheating it took a 3 step process to restore the
cylinder bores that was ignored by amatuer mechanics in favor of the
methods they used for cast iron blocks. Imformation on the vega
durability and cooling problems are easy to access in yahoo or google.

To produce a two piece end housing with coolant flow paths
(parallel cooling) as well as increased flow rates and including
mounting provisions is not that difficult. The housings can be faced off
in a large lathe and lapped. The lathe approach allows boring the
stationary gear bore and some "O" ring seats while it is chucked up for
accuracy. "O" ring paths for rotor housing seals can be done in a CNC
router. If I didn't have the machine tools I could farm out everything
with an end cost of $700 for the front or center housing and $850 for
the bellhousing end. I drew mine up with a front and rear bellhousing
which are dowel alligned so that two sets of RX8 internals can be used
for a 4 rotor. As a six rotor the prop end e-shaft would need
modifications. If I farm out the foundary casting at $140 and buy the
"O" rings for $90 which includes double sealing the water to oil seals
at the stationary gear I can build them for $250 apiece. That would be
about $1500 for all the housings of a four rotor.



george grimes


george

Since it is almost the new year and predictions are made around this
time...   I predict that if this works as good as you say, you will be
too busy selling housings to get much done on your plane!!  When can I
buy a set for my single rotor?

Dan F