The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four,
placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other. The crank case
was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and
specially treated to insure toughness. All the studs or bolts were
of the same steel. Complete, with balance wheel, it weighed two
hundred pounds. The ignition was accomplished by six dry batteries
and a single-wire vibrating coil. It was rated at fifty horsepower.
So exactly had the preliminary work been done at the factory that in
two hours the boys were able to have the engine bolted to the
section of the car where it was to be used, and before evening the
radiator tubes and pump of the cooling system were also in place.
Temporary connections were set up and the sparking wires attached,
and then the reservoir was filled with gasoline. A little jar as
the wheel was turned, then a couple of sharp explosions, and the
engine fell to its work as if it had been running for weeks.
Ned shut it off after a moment's critical inspection.
"Let her flicker!" pleaded Alan.
Pages:
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115