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  #1  
Old 15-03-15, 21:55
Perry Kitson Perry Kitson is offline
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Default R975 help

I have posed a question on the HMVF site, but have not had any replies, so I will try here.
The spline cut on the crankshaft and in the flywheel are such that they can only be assembled in one location, and it happens to be at the top of the throw on the crankshaft. What are the possibilities that the flywheel/clutch is balanced (or un-balanced) to aid in the balancing of the rotating group in the motor? I am about to have the flywheel/clutch assembly precision balanced, and if it happens to be heavy at the high side, or 180 degree's from it, then one would presume the former to be true. But the next question would be how much weight is correct. When you have an assembly that is at least 175 pounds spinning up to 2,600 RPM, balancing would be very important for bearing life. Any thoughts or comments?

Perry
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  #2  
Old 16-03-15, 00:53
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From experience in automotive, if the flywheel only goes on in one position, then I would bet money it is balanced to the crank/flywheel position. If you have the assembly custom balanced, there will be no issue as they will either add or remove from the flywheel and or crank to zero it. I don't know those engines, but it will be one of 2 balancing types, one internal, where the crank is balanced and the flywheel is neutral, the other external, where the flywheel is balanced for the internal parts. you cannot switch flywheels from internal to external balanced engines without re balancing the whole assembly

did that make sence?

Andrew
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  #3  
Old 16-03-15, 16:34
45jim 45jim is offline
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Default Static vs Dynamic Balance

Perry, I'll have to check the manual (I think I lent it to you in the past) on the radial to see if there's anything unique there, but the balance for all reciprocating engines is a basic two-step process. Individual components are "statically" balanced and then the assembly is "dynamically" balanced.

I can't help feeling you already know more than I here, but a flywheel is almost always located by keyway, dowel, bolt pattern or splines so that it indexes in only one position. Low rpm engines may be exempt from this, however.

Most production engines are not dynamically balanced and merely assembled from parts that have been statically balanced and/or sorted by weight so that the engine builder can select parts to achieve a "close enough" balance. I can't say that applies to aircraft engines, I just have no experience there except with the RR meteor.

As an aside, I wonder who would be able to balance a crank like that in London, the bob weight to replace all those pistons, pins and rods would be significant and it would have to be spaced out equal to the stroke, not the type of parts you see in your local engine shop used to balancing short stroke V8's.

The only item I think you would have to be cautious of is the pressure plate, these are often not indexed and the machinist would have to mark this alignment for you after balancing.

Really I'm surprised your not doing it yourself with an electric drill, some chewing gum and a dial gauge suspended from the tailgate of your pickup. I am always amazed with what you accomplish in that garage of yours.
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Old 16-03-15, 16:40
Perry Kitson Perry Kitson is offline
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Andrew,

Yes, makes sense. There is a large floating counterweight on the crankshaft, but once the engine is running, centrifugal force will keep it at the end of it's range. Being a single throw crank, I am concerned if I balance the flywheel assembly and it is supposed to be weighted, I will be doing more harm than good.

Jim,
I am having everything dynamically balanced. I have machined up a mandrel to mount the flywheel on, and will first spin up the flywheel and fan, then add the pressure plate, and will have it spun up again after the clutch plates and intermediate plate is in to be sure.

Perry

Last edited by Perry Kitson; 16-03-15 at 16:54.
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  #5  
Old 16-03-15, 17:18
45jim 45jim is offline
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Default Balacing

To be more clear, I don't think its advisable to balance just the flywheel/clutch assembly statically or dynamically until you can establish the balance factor. I would have to agree that the flywheel is either "neutral" or contributes to the overall balance of the assembly.
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  #6  
Old 16-03-15, 19:35
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When you have it balanced, they will take everything that moves into consideration, you should have no worries at all.

I have had many engines balanced, never once had a problem
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  #7  
Old 16-03-15, 19:40
45jim 45jim is offline
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Default Balancing

Perry, the manual gives no information on balancing of components or assemblies at all. The only specifications are "run-out" at different levels of assembly of the crank and when the crank is mounted on "V" blocks or in the actual crankcase. There is some wording of "by selection" in the build up and I think this refers to the engine builder picking from a stock of rods, pins and crank sections. This must mean there is another manual or document that gives the refinishing tolerance for each component.

You are welcome to add the manual to your collection anytime if you would think it helpful.
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  #8  
Old 17-03-15, 18:15
Perry Kitson Perry Kitson is offline
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I have the ordanance rebuild manual for the R975 C4. It does not mention any balancing procedures or checks at all.
The crank has all surfaces machined and polished, with no signs of balancing. The master rod is considerably heavier than the articulated rods, which adds to the dilemma.
I still need to know if the flywheel/clutch assembly is "neutral" before I proceed.

Perry
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  #9  
Old 19-03-15, 14:39
Bob Phillips Bob Phillips is offline
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Perry,
you should be able to jerry rig up a shaft to see if your flywheel/ clutch assy is heavy on one side. I would be reluctant to have it balanced until it was checked first. Once the snow is melted you are welcome to compare your results with some extra flywheels/clutches I have here.
On aircraft engines the same crankshaft is uesed in 5, 7 and 9 cylinder engines and the only apparent difference is the size of the counter weight. Unfortunately I do not have a book telling the weights of each particular engine so don't know how it compares to tank engine....Bob
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  #10  
Old 23-03-15, 15:02
45jim 45jim is offline
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Default An interesting article on balacing an aircraft radial

http://www.antiqueairfield.com/featu...arner_165.html
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  #11  
Old 24-03-15, 23:09
Jesse Browning Jesse Browning is offline
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Perry. I recall when rebuilding my clutch that the different pieces were supposed to be match marked, and reassembled accordingly. Some of my pieces also had grouped holes like would be drilled durring the balancing process. Wouldent hurt to have it done again with todays better technology. Jesse.
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  #12  
Old 11-12-21, 17:13
Mark Cornwell Mark Cornwell is offline
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Would anyone know what is the out of the box thickness for a clutch plate as used on a Sexton?

Many thanks.
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  #13  
Old 12-12-21, 00:35
Jesse Browning Jesse Browning is offline
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I dont know, but to widen the field, it should be the same as a Sherman with radial engine.
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  #14  
Old 12-12-21, 01:32
Colin Alford Colin Alford is offline
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Mark,

The Clutch “Table of limits” for R975 C1 can be found on pages 219 and 220 of this manual:

https://archive.org/details/TM9-1751.../n220/mode/1up
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  #15  
Old 12-12-21, 04:02
maple_leaf_eh maple_leaf_eh is offline
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Default Something to watch out for.

I noticed this posted on another forum. Double check that you don't have one of these installed.
Attached Thumbnails
variable compression connecting rod.jpg  
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  #16  
Old 12-12-21, 14:36
Mark Cornwell Mark Cornwell is offline
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Hi Colin,

Many thanks for your help.

Regards,

Mark
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  #17  
Old 15-12-21, 13:18
Mark Cornwell Mark Cornwell is offline
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The clutch assembly was manufactured by Lipe-Rollway to Drg No. 7067270 serial No.1382. The same type was also used on Shermans and other M4 type vehicles.

Does anyone have information on such vehicles? as my manuals don't cover it

The fixed steel plate is 0.942 as opposed to the 0.684 above.

I'd upload pictures but all are too big
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  #18  
Old 16-12-21, 11:07
Jakko Westerbeke Jakko Westerbeke is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Cornwell View Post
I'd upload pictures but all are too big
Reduce them in size?

If you’re on a Mac: https://support.apple.com/guide/preview/prvw2015/mac

If you’re on Windows: https://www.howtogeek.com/354015/how...os-in-windows/

If you’re posting from an iPhone or iPad, you can choose the size when uploading: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/cho...to-safari-ios/
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  #19  
Old 18-12-21, 16:33
Mark Cornwell Mark Cornwell is offline
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Attached are a number of pictures kindly reduced by Jakko to allow them to be placed on here.

Many thanks
Attached Thumbnails
Sexton Lipe Clutch.jpg   2. Sexton Lipe Clutch.jpg   3. Sexton Lipe Clutch.jpg   4. Sexton Lipe Clutch.jpg  
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  #20  
Old 18-12-21, 17:02
Mark Cornwell Mark Cornwell is offline
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I've been supplied with pictures of TD ORD 213 from Jesse Browning which covers the clutch, something to read fro Christmas.

Many thanks.
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  #21  
Old 19-12-21, 15:52
Jesse Browning Jesse Browning is offline
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Someone on the forum here provided the manual to me years ago.
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  #22  
Old 20-12-21, 10:51
Jakko Westerbeke Jakko Westerbeke is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Browning View Post
Someone on the forum here provided the manual to me years ago.
R975 technical manuals can be found online fairly easily (for sale but also for free). Here for the R975-C1, for example, and here for the -C4.
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