The Ford Barn

Jim Huseby · 11-23-2013, 11:24 PM

Not Model A, but fascinating. Look close. A newer 90+hp engine is in the works and, I believe, weighs 150#. www.d-motor.eu

Flathead · 11-23-2013, 11:38 PM

It is kind of unusual to hear someone say "Flathead" like it is a good thing. Pretty cool.

Mike V. Florida · 11-23-2013, 11:50 PM

I can't be a good thing! Everyone knows that if a flathead engine was a good idea all engines would have them today!!

Jim Huseby · 11-25-2013, 12:59 PM

It's tricky to get videos of this engine running on their website, but worth while to see and hear. Try just googling "aircraft d-motor". Notice the short take-off roll and climb out angle in an LSA.

Patrick L. · 11-25-2013, 01:08 PM

The specs and write-up are pretty brief and some info appears to be wrong. I'd like to know the TBO.

Jim Huseby · 11-25-2013, 01:45 PM

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On one of the videos, they mentioned a TBO of 1500 hr. and expected 2000 once it was further tested, but suggested that the jug and valve material would last indefinitely. There are videos out there, but you may have to figure out how to get them. They also said it used 2.5 GPH at a cruise of 120 mph in an LSA (two-place 1320#). The prop is direct drive and cruises at around 3000 rpm.

CarlG · 11-25-2013, 03:19 PM

48 miles per gallon - not bad!

Patrick L. · 11-25-2013, 04:16 PM

Thanks Jim. 2.5 GPH ! I sure like that !

dave in australia · 11-25-2013, 06:58 PM

The big downfall of this engine is that it runs on avgas. Avgas is on the way out, at least here in Australia, and it becomes more and more expensive to fill up. One of the local aero engine shops here is developing a 4cyl diesel. It is a flat 4, and 2 pistons go toward each other so there is no head, and the combustion chamber is the space between the pistons at TDC. It is a 2 stroke, so there are few moving parts.

Patrick L. · 11-26-2013, 06:33 AM

Well, avgas is expensive, thats for sure. 80 disappeared from this area long ago. 100LL is about to become extinct also, replaced by a lower octane no lead. A lot of fellas do run their aero engines on mogas, but, I won't.

Rock Hornbuckle · 11-26-2013, 02:18 PM

It seems as if Ferdinand Porsche's engine concept is alive and doing quite well.

Patrick L. · 11-26-2013, 03:15 PM

The flat engine has been around a long time. Karl Benz designed it in the 1890s and they are still going strong. I've had many over the years in both air and water cooled versions from Continental, Lycoming, Franklin, Onan, Porsche, Honda. I'm running a flat 6 in a motorcycle with a carburetor for each sparkler..

Flathead · 11-26-2013, 07:41 PM

The flathead has been around a long time too, but doesn't get much respect anymore.

Patrick L. · 11-27-2013, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flathead

The flathead has been around a long time too, but doesn't get much respect anymore.

I thought there was a big resurgence in flatie popularity.

11-23-2013, 11:24 PM	#1
Jim Huseby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	new flat head light aircraft engine Not Model A, but fascinating. Look close. A newer 90+hp engine is in the works and, I believe, weighs 150#. www.d-motor.eu

11-23-2013, 11:38 PM	#2
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,497	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine It is kind of unusual to hear someone say "Flathead" like it is a good thing. Pretty cool.

11-23-2013, 11:50 PM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine I can't be a good thing! Everyone knows that if a flathead engine was a good idea all engines would have them today!! __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

11-25-2013, 12:59 PM	#4
Jim Huseby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine It's tricky to get videos of this engine running on their website, but worth while to see and hear. Try just googling "aircraft d-motor". Notice the short take-off roll and climb out angle in an LSA.

11-25-2013, 01:08 PM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine The specs and write-up are pretty brief and some info appears to be wrong. I'd like to know the TBO.

11-25-2013, 01:45 PM	#6
Jim Huseby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) On one of the videos, they mentioned a TBO of 1500 hr. and expected 2000 once it was further tested, but suggested that the jug and valve material would last indefinitely. There are videos out there, but you may have to figure out how to get them. They also said it used 2.5 GPH at a cruise of 120 mph in an LSA (two-place 1320#). The prop is direct drive and cruises at around 3000 rpm.

11-25-2013, 03:19 PM	#7
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine 48 miles per gallon - not bad! __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

11-25-2013, 04:16 PM	#8
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine Thanks Jim. 2.5 GPH ! I sure like that !

11-25-2013, 06:58 PM	#9
dave in australia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,175	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine The big downfall of this engine is that it runs on avgas. Avgas is on the way out, at least here in Australia, and it becomes more and more expensive to fill up. One of the local aero engine shops here is developing a 4cyl diesel. It is a flat 4, and 2 pistons go toward each other so there is no head, and the combustion chamber is the space between the pistons at TDC. It is a 2 stroke, so there are few moving parts.

11-26-2013, 06:33 AM	#10
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine Well, avgas is expensive, thats for sure. 80 disappeared from this area long ago. 100LL is about to become extinct also, replaced by a lower octane no lead. A lot of fellas do run their aero engines on mogas, but, I won't.

11-26-2013, 02:18 PM	#11
Rock Hornbuckle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Noxon Montana Posts: 532	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine It seems as if Ferdinand Porsche's engine concept is alive and doing quite well. __________________ '31 Fordor Deluxe 2W Briggs 170-B / blackwalls '41 Fordor Deluxe / 2-duece flattie '66 1/2 Dodge Charger '14 100th Anniversary Challenger Limited Edition. Semper Fidelis

11-26-2013, 03:15 PM	#12
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine The flat engine has been around a long time. Karl Benz designed it in the 1890s and they are still going strong. I've had many over the years in both air and water cooled versions from Continental, Lycoming, Franklin, Onan, Porsche, Honda. I'm running a flat 6 in a motorcycle with a carburetor for each sparkler.. Last edited by Patrick L.; 11-27-2013 at 01:41 PM.

11-26-2013, 07:41 PM	#13
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,497	Re: new flat head light aircraft engine The flathead has been around a long time too, but doesn't get much respect anymore.

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