I've reported on my B9 (B18 running on cylinders 1 & 4) before in the 444/544 Forum. But now that the project is finished and my "71 142E has become the official tow vehicle, I figured I'd show a picture of it here. Once I have the rest of the pictures sorted out I'll post them on PhotoBucket, and if anyone is interested, I can provide a link here.

Main Features

Prime mover: B18 from 1962 PV with clutch, M40, and much shortened drive shaft. The lifters and rods on the two middle cylinders were removed and 9 1/2" holes drilled in the tops of the pistons so that they could move freely with the valves closed and the plugs in to reduce noise and oil spray. (It has been suggested that I could have left the pistons without holes so that they would simply have bounced up and down against and aided by their own compression.)

Carburation: Dual SU HS6s with their jets plugged and re-drilled to 0.0900" so as to be able to use GT needles - normal HS6 jets and needles were too rich for just two cylinders. The two center passages on the aluminum intake manifold were blocked off.

"Speed Control: Hoof BD529D governor suspended below the engine and belt driven by a dual crankshaft pulley. Lots of Rube Goldberg monkey action to make up the linkage to the carbs.

Generator Head: Chinese ST single phase, 230/115V, 52.2/104A, 12KW.

Miscellaneous: SS fuel tank from an old boat. Trailer built from recycled galvanized fence posts. Wheels from a boat trailer that never got built. Oak rails under engine and gen head: recycled boat cradle. Fenders: plywood covered with fiberglass in epoxy. The cage-like frame surrounding the whole contraption gets covered with a vinyl cover with lots of heavy-duty zippers for easy access.

Yesterday I finally got the governor to work right with a 40 amp load, so we're in business. The engine, much to my, and everyone else's, surprise runs quieter and smoother than when I had it in the PV - that was before I blew the rings on the two center pistons trying to pass a semi doing 80 on I-95.

Lots of help from BrickBoarders, especially "volvosteve" (elusive parts) and "B20Paul" (technical advice). Thanks, guys.

Bob S.