enginehistory.org

[tfey]

Well, one year to the day I bought the engine, I bought a trailer to act as the baseis for my running stand. It's old, it's steel, it's aquatic, and the price was right. It is now in a garage 2 states over, but I can get it home once I see if the lights work and borrow a vehicle with a hitch. Or I dissassemble it as far as I can and throw it in a van or pickup. Pictures later. I continue to clean and paint the Franklin pushrod tubes and induction pipes still on the engine. Engine mount is painted and ready to go to work. So now comes care measuring and drawing up some plans (Payback! My son owes me for 5 years of collegiate enginneering education) for the fabricators and welders. Back in business!

[ssearing]

Hello.
I'm new to AEHS and am impressed with the vast knowledge available through this association. I am reaching out to you for an update on your Franklin project. I am the current custodian of an 805-5 engine am struggling with the decision to make it a functional display.

I have read of Graham White's restoration of an 805-2 to functional status some years back. I would love to reach out to him as well.

Look forward to hearing about your project.

Stu

[tfey]

Stu, gtreetings, Tom Fey here. Short answer is that I gave up on the Franklin. Long answer as follows: After accumulating all the parts and manuals I needed to complete the Franklin 4AC-150 restoration, and having partially and very enjoyably restored and painted the engine, reality reared its ugly head. I would need a welder to safely build up a framework on the trailer to accept the J-3 mount I had. I would have to hand prop the engine to start it. I didn't have a car with a trailer hitch or a place to store the trailer/engine during the Chicago winters. And if I did get it all done, where would I run it? I ended up donating the engine and mount to Old Rhinebeck to support one of their early fliers and the trailer to a guy who simply wanted it. Instead, I restore WWII drone engines to runnng condition. They are two stroke, 6 hp to 22 hp, pretty simple engines with a fascinating history. Learned to carve my own 26 to 32 inch diameter props. The ngines fit on an engine rebuild stand, which fits intact inside my Honda Odyessy, and I run them at airshows, R/C clubs, and Oshkosh. They break down into two assemblies so I can store them in my basement over the winter. Sorry to say, I'm not much help for your project.