I was trying to create a simple design that had 0 problems and very high vac performance. I like performer machines but since then I think the current machines are over engineered and with the electronics they do have more issues than the past.
Lesson learned, too much time to build, too expensive final cost and its the little stuff that kicks your butt.
Machine project began with a nissan engine from a datsun 210 that I had rebuilt. Then I used a roots ram 406 blower. cat 290 pump. coolant heat exchangers from a
hydramaster machine. stainless post blower exchanger after the coolant ones that was custom made. The ram 406 blower get about 35 degrees higher than other blowers. I was going to put aftermarket fuel injection system on it.
Problems I ran into:
Fabrication went well but I ran into a lot of issues with unkowns that came up during final assembly: because of my belt design and limited lengths I had to move blower and then I had to move entire top frame of machine back because of aligment issues. The machine has a base frame and then the top frame that sits on rubber mounts.
Fuel injection took me forever because the system I was using hadn't been used often triggering it off the negative on the coil. After talking to the manufacturer and trying everything I finally scrapped it and put a webber carb on it.
The blower heat exchanger was designed to be put directly under the blower. However due to the pulsation of the blower the vibration litterly destroyed the heat exchanger. I scrapped it and only use the coolant exchangers.
The belt design recomended by gates was a toothed belt design. I was really excited because that type of belt has an extremly long service life with almost no issues. I had parts machined to adapt pulleys to the engine. As it turns out rotary lobe blowers do not work well with toothed belts. so it has been breaking a belt once a month. I am changing the drive system tomorow to v belts. John Olsen hooked me up with a performer flywheel that bolts right up (thank you John).
I will also have to change the pump to a 3cp1120 because the pulley on the performer that will drive the pump will spin the cat 290 too fast. Cat 290 has a limit of 1200 rpm and the 3cp can spin 1750.
Goods, As long as the bx belts hold up and they should the machine will be very reliable. Over 400 cfm, heat that is plenty for me, very little vibration because of the rubber mounts. 110 gallon stainless tank.
Bads, machine is heavy, Time and cost to build was not worth the investment in both.
