The engine mounts have been installed and the engine has been loaded onto the test bed, including a simulated exhaust system and temperature controlled cooling water supply. The fuel tanks have also arrived at the University and currently the technicians are preparing for fuel purchasing (BP Ultimate and UL91 avgas). There was a minor problem with the rear mounting plate. There were some inaccuracies with the position of the holes in the plate and some holes in the engine had stripped threads. Fortunately, this proved not to be a major issue as the technicians have managed to install the back mount using the remaining holes.
While the remote control system for the engine is being installed, the students have been working towards making sure their propropsed solutions to the overheating problem are ready to be tested. The students presented these proposals in their very interesting talk at the MG T Register Rebuild seminar. They are also planning to trial a fuel recirculation system and assess the effectiveness of a heat shield. The design for the fuel recirculation system has been finalised and a heat shield has been sourced from Barrie Jones.
The team will shortly begin work on its final presentation and report for internal assessment; these are due shortly after the Easter break. A technical report will also be produced which will act as a “scientific” manual for the kit being produced. The fuel recirculation system will be manufactured within the next 2 weeks, after which testing will commence and various data will be gathered and subsequently processed.
With the engine now connected to a water brake- type dynamometer, it is possible to run it at a set RPM and measure the torque the engine delivers. Coupled with the additional temperature and mixture sensors that have been installed, this will allow the students to perform a far greater range of more accurate measurements than possible on a rolling road. By varying factors such as timing and mixture they will be able to produce an ideal tuning map for the engine with the different fuels and assess the effectiveness of their proposed solutions.
If all goes to plan we should start to see results emerging over April.
Paul Ireland
Ed’s Note: Space does not permit the inclusion of the presentation which the students gave to the T Register ‘Rebuild’ Seminar, but it can be viewed here: XPAG Project Presentation (10mb – large download)
Photos show two views of the engine on the test bed, a schematic diagram of a water brake-type dynamometer and a ‘shot’ of the dynamometer.
