16
Engine test fit.
Engine mounted on Solinger mounts.
Rough initial bending of shaft tube.
It should line up perfectly. If not, find out
why and correct it.
Mount the engine so that the glow plug
is about 4-1/2 inches in front of bulkhead
2.
Once you are happy with the engine
placement, screw the engine mounts in
place with the screws provided with the
mounts. Drill pilot holes to avoid splitting
the engine rails. If using the Solinger
mounts, drill 3/32 pilot holes.
With the engine in place, we can move
on to the shaft tube.
This is another area that will need to be
done perfectly for a good running hull.
Bending the shaft tube is a piece of
cake, if you know the secret.
The ¼ inch brass tubing needs to be
annealed.
This will make it easy to bend by hand,
without kinks.
To anneal the tube, simply heat it with
any propane torch, until it changes color.
You will see the brass color change to a
sort of blue. It only takes a couple of
seconds, so watch for it.
When you see the tubing change color,
move the flame slowly down the tube
until the whole thing is done.
Put a screwdriver in one end of the
tubing to hold it while you heat it.
Try not to anneal the last inch or so.
You can either set the hot tube on a heat
proof surface (concrete will do), or you
can quench it with water until cold.
When the tubing has cooled off we will
be bending it into an “S” shape.
Why an “S” shape?
Tests have proven that a tube with two
bends has less drag than a tube with
one.
