dritchie

That's why I used an EA-81 in the first place I am surprised that no one else has commented ?? Don

As some of you may remember, I have an EA-81 in my Rupp Trike. ( http://www.cyberonic.net/~dritchie/s_r_pics.html ) It has been "overheating" since it was built, in about 2002. I finely had a guy who kind of knows what he is doing, pull it apart because I thought I had a blown head gasket. He "maybe" charged me more then I should have paid, but now it seems to be running great. I finely had a real mechanic tear down the engine and discovered what we think is the reason for the overheating. Seems as though one head was "warped" just .015. head machined and new head gaskets, it now has run for over an hour and just gets to 180. Seems as though air in the coolant was causing a blockage, and thus overheating. IS this a "common problem, or did we fix something else with realizing it ?? Thank for any input Don

This is he only pic I have right now of the rear with the body on. what would like to see,I DO have a digital camera and can take anything you might like to see http://www.4masons.org/%7Edritchie/srrear.jpg Don

http://www.4masons.org/~dritchie/s_r_pics.html This thing is STILL overheating, runs about 210 and I would like it better if it ran at 175 to 185 I know that Airflow management looks pretty dismal overall But can anybody guess if an oil cooler will help my problem ? I will be checking thermostat and trying to get better airflow this week. Planning a 1000 mile trip in June and would like to not have to worry about overheating. thanks Don

Here are a couple pics that MAY help you get an idea of "limited" air flow http://www.cyberonic.net/~dritchie/srrf.jpg http://www.cyberonic.net/~dritchie/FIN1.jpg OR look at the whole page http://www.cyberonic.net/~dritchie/s_r_pics.html

The fan IS running "backwards" also ( it "sucks"air thru the radiator) So far, I need tobget better airflow and look at distance fan is from rad. Thanks Don

Trike WITH body http://www.cyberonic.net/~dritchie/srrear.jpg Trike withOUT body http://www.cyberonic.net/~dritchie/FIN2.jpg Having trouble keeping temp below 220 degrees. Any ideas ???

I guess I forgot to mention .... NO VW !!! The very idea of taking an engine, and HANGING it behind the axle just doesn't sit well with me, also the idea of using adapters between the engine and transmission / transaxle is not something I want to do .... EVERYBODY does it that way, If I wanted to be like everyone else, I'd be riding a VW powered trike "wheeley machine" !! I currently Ride a Subaru !! Don

I guess I forgot to mention .... NO VW !!! The very idea of taking an engine, and HANGING it behind the axle just doesn't sit well with me, also the idea of using adapters between the engine and transmission / transaxle is not something I want to do .... EVERYBODY does it that way, If I wanted to be like everyone else, I'd be riding a VW powered trike "wheeley machine" !! I currently Ride a Subaru !! Don

Know all about Cyclestyle, looks like nice stuff, BUT - he is in New Zealand. While he THINKS the frame belongs to him, our frame is older then his and if you look at his pics ..... Hummm looks a little like mine I thought about getting one from him, but when you factor in shipping and the front end, we can have them built in Hartford CT (and possably in Cleveland) at about the same price. Don

Know all about Cyclestyle, looks like nice stuff, BUT - he is in New Zealand. While he THINKS the frame belongs to him, our frame is older then his and if you look at his pics ..... Hummm looks a little like mine I thought about getting one from him, but when you factor in shipping and the front end, we can have them built in Hartford CT (and possably in Cleveland) at about the same price. Don

I need a number of opinions and or ideas .. I currently have one of the first " as far as we know" Subaru Trikes in the US. My questions are a few; First- Can a four wheel drive auto transaxle be run with some sort of plate over the front "axle holes" and just used with a drive shaft to a rear differantial? Is the rear an IRS? In my case, I have a two wheel drive transaxle with the engine in front of it but another is being designed to be a little longer and would "require" a short driveshaft. The other question - If you were NOT using a Subaru, what other engine/autotransaxle would YOU use - some that would hold-up ALMOST as well as the Subaru Any help / ideas ?? Thanks Don

I need a number of opinions and or ideas .. I currently have one of the first " as far as we know" Subaru Trikes in the US. My questions are a few; First- Can a four wheel drive auto transaxle be run with some sort of plate over the front "axle holes" and just used with a drive shaft to a rear differantial? Is the rear an IRS? In my case, I have a two wheel drive transaxle with the engine in front of it but another is being designed to be a little longer and would "require" a short driveshaft. The other question - If you were NOT using a Subaru, what other engine/autotransaxle would YOU use - some that would hold-up ALMOST as well as the Subaru Any help / ideas ?? Thanks Don

The reason the fan is mounted the way it is, because that is the only way it will fit. I tried to turn the fan in the other direction, but air flow is not good "thru" the radiator with the fan going that way. ( fan pitch wrong) I never thought of taking the fan off and turning the blades around, if that's possable. Now back to the oil cooler question, would that work, or would it possably cause a problem, running the oil to cool ?? What IS nornal temp. anyhow, maybe I'm making to much out of nothing. Don

Air flow IS the problem. everything else is in good shape Thermostat, - Stock radiator- good used "afternmarket" fan, blowing thru the radiator ( rear to front) fan thermo switch- none ( always on) coolant mix more then 50% antifreeze hoses - all new, but long You really need to get a look . go to tell http://www.cyberonic.net/~dritchie/FIN3.jpg http://www.cyberonic.net/~dritchie/FIN9.jpg What you see to the left of rad is tranny cooler Thanks Don