May 16-17, 2007 - Wheelcase Assembly

The wheel case is an important part of the Merlin engine. Via the quill shaft, which is connected to the crank, the wheel case drives the cams, mags, various pumps, and the blower. The starter interfaces on the wheel case as well.

The Packard blower drive differs from the British. The Packard design has the quill bull gear driving three smaller gears, referred to as the ABC gears.

Each of these gears in turn drives a planetary set of gears. By locking or unlocking the the planetary assembly (via oil pressure and a one-way clutch), the blower drive speed can be shifted from high to low.

The exterior of the three planetary assemblies all drive a common central gear, which is attached to the blower spool.

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© Ryan Smith, 2003-2007. All rights reserved

Date: 05/16/2007

Owner: Dragon Keeper

Size: 14 items

Disassembled wheel case with all parts cleaned and ready for reassembly. Date: 05/16/2007 Views: 182	ABC (blower drive) gear supports. Steel plate is a boat racer addition to keep the gears inline and high power settings. Date: 05/16/2007 Views: 159	Wheel case housing with vertical drive (to tower shafts) visible. Date: 05/16/2007 Views: 175
Backside (crankcase mounting surface) of wheel case housing Date: 05/16/2007 Views: 173	A heavy one-piece racing quill will be utilized in the engine. Date: 05/17/2007 Views: 163	Installing the ABC gear bearings and reinforcement plate in the wheel case housing. Date: 05/17/2007 Views: 167
ABC gears in place. These will be driven by the bull gear on the quill. Date: 05/17/2007 Views: 167	Front plate installed. Date: 05/17/2007 Views: 147	Side view of the complete blower drive package. Date: 05/26/2007 Views: 153
Another view of the blower drive assembly. Date: 05/26/2007 Views: 139	Front bearing pack for the blower drive. Date: 05/26/2007 Views: 167	Wheel case housing (no gears installed) shown on engine. Date: 05/26/2007 Views: 159
Planetary (blower drive) assembly installed on the engine. Date: 05/26/2007 Views: 196	Date: 05/26/2007 Views: 201