Rolls Royce Viper 102

[cacrawfo]

Hello, looking for input and information on a Rolls Royce Viper 102 engine.

The engine is complete with all ECU items except the fuel filter and fuel pressure warning switch. The fuel filter is no big deal as I'm planning on using a diesel lift pump/filter assembly to move fuel.
There are a few things I need to get this thing going;
Starter system
Ignition system
RPM gauge

I have bought a dual channel ignition exciter, but have no leads to connect to the igniters that are on the engine. Where do you find igniter leads? What are the standard lead connectors?

Where is a good place to look for RPM gauges? Engine has the tach generator installed.

This engine is from a Jet Provost, which has a seperate gearbox with starter, generator, and hydraulic pump attached. This connects into the inlet side of the engine with a driveshaft. This driveshaft runs slower than the main shaft through a reduction drive at about a 1 to 2.8 ratio. I do not have the original starter. I will have to adapt something, as the original starter would not even really be helpful as it does not attach directly to the engine.

[cacrawfo]

So here are my thoughts on starter:

Adapt a heavy duty 24V direct drive truck starter (like a Delco-Remy 42MT style) and include a one way sprag clutch to disengage starter
Or
Adapt a heavy duty starter as above, but directly couple it to the engine input shaft and upgrade starter end with suitable bearing. If I let the starter rotate with the engine, can it take 6,000 rpm?
Or
Golf cart motor on a programmable speed control? Probably need at least 36 volts for that and they are pretty large diameter motors.. Not my first choice.

Starter needs to rotate CCW (looking at output shaft of starter) so options are limited. 24V 42MT starters are rated up to 7.5 Kw, so quite a bit of power there but not much detail on rpm, etc.

To make suggested minimum start RPM of 12% N1, I would need to input about 650 rpm into the engine.
Am I on the right track here?
Carl C

[gidge348]

Hi Carl,

A good place to start looking is Ander's post just below yours jetandturbineowners.proboards.com/thread/578/happened-buy-rolls-royce-viper
& Ernie's suggestions on the starter.

RR Viper starters are around, but cost the earth and the starter Ernie & Anders have can be left engaged and become a starter generator.

As for rpm gauges, EBay find one with he same number of pins as your tach generator usually either 2 or 3 pin forget the gauges with multiple pins, too hard to figure out. or do as Anders has done.

Igniter leads probably Everet Aero is a place to start www.everettaero.com/

Good luck, post some pictures

Cheers
Ian...

[Deleted]

hi. what part of the world are you

[cacrawfo]

I'm in Central Illinois, USA.

I'm not sold on the winch motor, it's not designed to operate at those speeds for any length of time. Those oilite bushings will get hot and lock up, possibly damaging things inside the engine that you cannot replace. Needs a one-way clutch and more power to be worth considering.

Even if I had the airframe-correct starter in my hand, it would not do me much good, it would not bolt to the engine or have the correct reduction it was designed for. Starter mounted to an external gear case with hydraulic pump and maybe some other accessories and was driven by a driveshaft from the intake side of the engine.

I've bought a Delco 37MT starter, but it is the wrong rotation and cannot easily be changed. The field could be rewired to reverse rotation but the drive is on CW angled splines and that kills it. Nice starter though, ball bearings throughout, balanced stator, aluminum case, noseless, gear reduction drive.

The only starter available in CCW rotation with enough power to do the job is a 42MT. It's a giant 50lb brute, but so be it. I found one in 24 volt new for around $225. (Interesting note, same starter was used on the ground version of the PT6 known as the ST6, as well as some IH and Sunstrand turbines) My next task is to model the adaptor to mate the starter to the gear reduction nose of the engine and the splined drive adaptor. After that is done I will know the final length of the engine and can build the engine support frame.

[cacrawfo]

Started working on the engine frame. Measuring, design, fabrication.

youtu.be/S2nbljwiUqY

youtu.be/rstR-u0q9RQ

youtu.be/G7wYU9No4j0

youtu.be/RcqLaXOSZgY

And started to make the starter motor adaptor yesterday. Done turning, need to setup and program the mill and run it for the mounting holes.

youtu.be/L8a0otHC_dU

youtu.be/PE5qFqYCPzw

[gidge348]

Hi Carl, looks like you have a great workshop and boy you work fast.... must have some really good coffee there ...

I was just wondering if you could give me the dimensions for the 42MT mainly length & diameter.

Cheers
Ian...

[cacrawfo]

Into the mill to drill the bolt holes and some other features.

youtu.be/b-7qVVpXhyg

Project introduction
youtu.be/9CaVDkTikaw

[cacrawfo]

Setting up and proving out the nut access pockets.

youtu.be/mAqGNvHHNXY

Running the pockets. Could have cranked up the speeds and feeds for a shorter run time, but not worry the effort or risk for 6 pockets.

youtu.be/iWzhCVL0_YI

Starter adapter fits great, looks great. Now need to machine a throw out fork guide and the externally splined shaft

[cacrawfo]

Making the starter shaft blank to be splined.

youtu.be/VC-Ov5WQGts

More work on the frame

youtu.be/eKenzYn2iNk

Starting to fit and build the fuel tank.

youtu.be/rgd7bVeI7NY

Finish welding the fuel tank.

youtu.be/V1atWvsHHsY