That's cool Rich. Must have been a very smart man.
Incidentally I think by the time Packard got a hold of the Merlin,
they reduced the number of types of bolts required to assemble the
motor from something like the 300 that RR had designed in the motor to
something like 20 used in the Packards (for ease of repair in the
battlefield).
Alan
On 7/10/11, Rich Chrysler <richchrysler@quickclic.net> wrote:
> I am very proud to be able to relate some family history to exactly this
> technology.
> During WW2, my great uncle Victor Harding (my grandmother's kid brother) had
> a machine shop in Royal Oak Michigan and was working closely with Packard
> Engines who were having a high incidence of broken taps in the Rolls Royce
> Merlin engine blocks they were producing under license from RR. These were
> the Packard Merlin 225 engines being used in so many of the famous planes of
> WW2.
> Anyway, Uncle Vic developed and perfected this technology so they could
> remove hardened broken taps from these aircraft engine blocks. They were so
> successful at this new technology, they were able to save these blocks from
> being scrapped, and he was able to patent the design. He travelled for a
> number of years after the war presenting lectures on the design and retired
> to Sarasota Florida, having done "alright".
>
> Rich Chrysler
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: healeys-bounces@autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net]
> On Behalf Of Bert Van Brande
> Sent: 2011-07-08 8:56
> To: List Healey
> Subject: [Healeys] spark eroding experience
>
> Not related to the plugs.
>
> I rented a small trailer and brought the 100 4 cyl
> engine to a shop in the "valley" here in SoCal to remove a broken generator
> stud from the block. These holes are drilled right into the water jacket so
> these studs frequently rust solidly in place. The stud was already broken
> when I got the car/engine. In an attempt to remove it I broke an EZ-out.
> So
> now there was a hardened steel bit in there as well. Ouch.
>
> I had another
> broken bolt in the exhaust manifold. I didn't even try, learned my lesson.
> Both items were fixed in 45 minutes using spark eroding or edm. A suitable
> electrode is used and an electric discharge or spark disintegrates the
> metal.
> Very cool! Here's a demo video on youtube:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRxljmABXL4&feature=related
>
> This technology
> usually can remove studs, bolts, broken taps without damaging the threads.
> The thread was cleaned with a 5/16 BSF tap but there are a couple vertical
> nicks on the threads in my case. The nicks maybe not too bad to require the
> use of an insert or helicoil. I'll make sure to use thread sealant. I
> have
> Hylomar thread sealant (not the advanced formulation which I have as well)
> but I feel more for a Loctite or Permatex style sealant. I love to hear if
> anyone has good experience with these or other sealants.
>
> Overall I am happy
> with the progress as this was holding me up.
>
> Bert
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