FD-53 Acquired

[BJuby]

Thank you Joe Johnson for parting with this treasure!

Engine is FD-53. Originally purchased by Dick O'Dea. I received the engine over the course of a couple weeks and just received the complete powerhead yesterday. I just had time to mock it up yesterday. It came with Generation 2 elbows and megaphones and Fairbanks ignition. Tower is a Mark 40H and the gearfoot is a real gem D-Quickie. The carbs aren't Model N's, but Joe told me they came with the motor when he acquired it. They appear to be NOS. Tillotson WB-1As. I plan on finding 2 Carters and converting them to floatless. I also plan on using a Merc 650 CD ignition on the engine. Furthermore, with regard to internals I plan on replacing main top and lower bearings (previously needles were done and engine was never started after), new rings, reeds converted to Boyensen (i'll need guidance on that), and converting the regular rods inside to alky H beam rods that I recently acquired.

I am having a friend recreate the Carter carb throttle bracket for me and we may both be going to CD ignition (he has a 44ci Looper) so we may both need a plate to attach the CD ignition and coil to, which he can also fabricate. Not sure yet if I am going to use a stick tower, a 55H tower, or the 40H tower that it came with. I really like the all aluminum look of the engine, but have a feeling a restored cream colored 55H tower would also look great, decisions... The plan is to run this for demonstration purposes in flybys and such on my F Sidson. This baby needs to be HEARD! I think that's about it for now. As this becomes the next project near the end of the summer I will be asking a lot of questions. I have already been in contact with some people who raced these and I am truly honored. This acquisition is a dream come true and I know this is going to be an amazing and fun project.

[Gene East]

Nice find you have there.
I spoke with Paul Christner earlier today. He confirmed the engine was indeed sold to Dick O'Dea.
Dick is certainly a legend in our sport
You can be proud to own an engine that once belonged to him.
A word of advice, Do not run that engine on the 40-H tower housing.
BTW: There is more to the cream colored down housings than just paint.
Good luck trying to find one.

[BJuby]

Hi Gene,

Thanks for giving me the info. This looper is a full circle for us. When my father was young, in the mid 70s he went to Dick to have him work on a quickie foot for him. That foot was from a KG7-Q that was the first merc in our collection and started this madness. I was thinking that I would not use the 40H tower because I had heard they were not the strongest, but was waiting for someone to chime in. Is a 55H tower ok? Or should I only use a stick tower for it?

Also, do you happen to know if Paul got my email? He told me to contact him via email when I had the engine in hand.

Thanks

[Gene East]

I would recommend a welded steel housing, but I don't know who to recommend. Larry McAffee builds as good a tower as any I've seen, but I'm not sure he is selling any.

There are probably several reputable makers who view this forum. Perhaps some one will contact you

I believe Paul received your e-mail since he contacted me regarding your situation.

[BJuby]

Thanks Gene. I have a stick tower that I use on my 55H mod engine, but I guess I could use another. When it's ready to go I will use that tower. I look forward to Paul getting in touch with me.

Edit: I noticed some numbers etched into the block right above the quincy serial number and those same numbers on the exhaust elbows on the right side.

#1 cylinder: .490
#2 cylinder: .487
#3 cylinder: .520
#4 cylinder: .485

What do these numbers reference?

[Gene East]

I'm guessing those are bore sizes. Standard bore is 2.440".

[Aeroliner]

Started cleaning parts on the Looper collection so that I can inventory and reassemble the ones that are disassembled. In all I have 14 Loopers. 1 A (FA-88) from Champion spark plug, 3 B's (one Dick O'Dea), 2 C's, 4 D's, 2 E's (44 cubic inch) and 2 F's (one Bruce Summers). Along with this assortment I have a D and E Quincy cross flow set of engines that have been restored. Also in the Quincy collection is a 20-H MOD engine with a Quincy tank. The intent is to restore all the Quincy engines to running condition. Most of the work will be will be a winter project or projects. Right now Doug Kay has four of the engines up his way for restoration.

Alan

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

[QUOTE=Aeroliner;132574]Started cleaning parts on the Looper collection so that I can inventory and reassemble the ones that are disassembled. In all I have 14 Loopers. 1 A (FA-88) from Champion spark plug, 3 B's (one Dick O'Dea), 2 C's, 4 D's, 2 E's (44 cubic inch) and 2 F's (one Bruce Summers). Along with this assortment I have a D and E Quincy cross flow set of engines that have been restored. Also in the Quincy collection is a 20-H MOD engine with a Quincy tank. The intent is to restore all the Quincy engines to running condition. Most of the work will be will be a winter project or projects. Right now Doug Kay has four of the engines up his way for restoration.
Alan,

What is the serial number of the Dick O'Dea looper. Typically, any motor sold to Dick by Quincy, whether complete motor or parts as Dick usually did final assembly, were for customers of his. This could very well be one of mine. We bought our parts from Dick, my father did all the CC grinding, I did final assembly. Also where did it come from?
John

[Aeroliner]

Hi John,
I bought a collection this past winter and it was part of the sale. It was located up in Wisconsin. I will be going to the shop shortly and get the numbers of the two there.

Alan

[Aeroliner]

Hi John,
The engine is FB-231 as identified by Paul.

Alan