TM Upgrade/Rebuild

Nice. How much quieter did it get? Can you hear the blower a lot more now?

Mo wrote:Nice. How much quieter did it get? Can you hear the blower a lot more now?

Considerably quieter!   But I haven't taken an after dB reading yet, so as soon as I do I'll post the numbers.

Yes, the blower noise is now apparent, where before the engine exhaust noise drowned it out and kept it from being heard.

Wow that's awesome you did upgrade to a bigger engine.

DO you know if that DB Iphone app is any good?

Mo wrote:Wow that's awesome you did upgrade to a bigger engine.

DO you know if that DB Iphone app is any good?

That's what I'm currently using, the iphone app.   ....as I seem to have 'lost' my hand held dB meter.

I'm not sure how accurate the app is, but I figure if it's used for all testing on the same project, it'll at least give an accurate representation of the sound level difference.

My pre-install testing showed a difference of about 10 dB lower, which doesn't sound like a lot when you're starting at close to 90 dB, but they say for every 10dB the sound basically doubles!   ....and I can say to the ear it's a huge difference, heck my customer was standing no more than 15 feet from my van talking on her cell phone today, while it was running at 3k RPM.   

BTW the app I'm using is called "Decibel 10th".   

Oh well, sometimes it takes some trial and error to get things right..

Seems my use of silicone hose for exhaust pipe couplers didn't work out so well. lol

I think the first prob was I was told it was rated for 500 deg. f., and after a lil hose melt-down, and more investigating, it looks like the accurate temp rating for is more like 350 deg.

What happened was, the silicone hose basically melted after about an hour of 3000 RPM run time, until the system had some serious leaks.......the worst of them being closest to the header, where the temps are higher.

So on to Plan B!!   
I'm now be replacing all connections with stainless flex exhaust pipe.
I didn't do this to start because it's much harder to work with, cutting, clamping tight enough to get a leak-less seal, and also not as flexible............but it certainly will withstand the high temps.

Davey Cracker wrote:OK, so I'm finally back to makin' some progress!!    

Been working on the exhaust, connecting the Kohler header to run threw the floor of the van!........get the heat out and Quite this beast down finally!    

You can see in this first pic the K header hanging down in the upper R corner of this pic...and in the lower L is the double insulated threw-floor flange I came up with, where engine exhaust being connected........



Threw-floor flange....



OH WELL, since our wonderful image host seems to not be able to display new images uploaded tonight, I'll have to try again tomorrow.

https://servimg.com/view/18542984/187

Davey it's looking good. Is the flange going to get too hot and catch the carpet on fire? I'm redoing a Bruin 2 I got from Eddie and was also thinking of painting it with truck bed liner but was wondering if anyone knew what type of temperature it would withstand with the heat exchanger and exhaust so close to the base. The ceramic paint that Milspec pointed out may have me leaning in a different direction. Keep up the good work. Look forward to seeing your finished product.

Larry,

No, with the double insulation I have at the floor flange, nothings catching fire.   

The afro   turf on the floor of my van is protected by a high temp gasket between it and the flange.......and is really only temporary until I take TM out to paint it.

Engine exhaust temp can reach 950 degrees with any back pressure. If you know the material around the flange won't catch fire and if the flange is threaded use a threaded nipple with exhaust type connections

ACE Services wrote:Engine exhaust temp can reach 950 degrees with any back pressure. If you know the material around the flange won't catch fire and if the flange is threaded use a threaded nipple with exhaust type connections

Got it done!!........I won't have anymore probs with it.   

It's all stainless now.   



On to the next step, installing the new gauges.

BTW I have a Infrared Thermometer Temp Gun, and took many measurements, none of which were over 450 f., even close to the header.

How's it going?

Hey when I was looking at your TM the other day I forgot to look at the exhaust side of the blower.

I plumb mine through Dual Magnaflow mufflers. Probably a little louder than what you have now but my vacuum howls.

Just something to consider.

As a test, completely disconnect you silencer and run your machine. If your vacuum improves much then there you go.

Also, those Steam Genie guys are doing business at Central California Cleaning Supply in Fullerton.

I don't have contact info. with me right now because I'm at home and have their number at the shop.

I'll get back to you on that

looks great dude. Btw don't bother wrapping those flex exhaust hoses. It will disintegrate in no time in that wrap. I would be careful running that exhaust so close to the starter and electronics that are on that side or at least put up a heat shield. Those electric components don't like much heat.

SixShooter wrote:How's it going?

Hey when I was looking at your TM the other day I forgot to look at the exhaust side of the blower.

I plumb mine through Dual Magnaflow mufflers. Probably a little louder than what you have now but my vacuum howls.

Just something to consider.

As a test, completely disconnect you silencer and run your machine. If your vacuum improves much then there you go.

Also, those Steam Genie guys are doing business at Central California Cleaning Supply in Fullerton.

I don't have contact info. with me right now because I'm at home and have their number at the shop.

I'll get back to you on that

Thanks Bill. I know CCCS, so don't worry bout sending the contact info, that's enuf.   

My blower exhaust exits threw the front on the machine, for now, after going threw the blower silencer.......thanks for the tip, I'll have to try that!   

Fuzzsucker wrote:looks great dude. Btw don't bother wrapping those flex exhaust hoses. It will disintegrate in no time in that wrap. I would be careful running that exhaust so close to the starter and electronics that are on that side or at least put up a heat shield. Those electric components don't like much heat.

Thanks for the tip.   

I've been watching temp near the electronics, and I think I'm good there.  

The flex exhaust tubing is cheap, so if it desecrates I'll replace it.   

Thought I'd show off my new gauges!   

They have 7 LED color modes, with a few different ones of color on Water Temp gauge (left one)...........

And a lil video of the cycle up process, and also, with the left gauge set to 'fade mode", cycling threw all the color choices.  

'

Those look good Davey. Where did you get the tach that would work on a 2 cylinder engine. I like that much better than the tiny tach.

Larry, I ordered them directly from the manufacture, Glow Shift.   
Yes, 2 cyl no prob, that what my Kohler is........and it's configurable for any cylinder combo.   
http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/

I do like well-lit gauges....feedback tools, ya know.  

Pretty fancy!

Glow Shift Rocks! Your gauges look awesome! Thanks for the link.

Are they expensive? Do they stand up well to the heat and vibrations?

Mo wrote:Are they expensive? Do they stand up well to the heat and vibrations?

Prices are on their website, and I'd say they are very competitively priced.   

I talked to a rep from Glow Shift, and expressed my concern about vibration, and was told they have many customers who use them in off-road race cars/trucks without a problem.   

Heat I don't think is an issue either, and certainly won't be on my TM with the heat sources well behind the gauge panel.  

Also, they do have a 1 year warrantee, so if they quit, they'll take care of it...............and if vibration is going to kill them it won't take a year to happen, I'd say more likely in the first couple weeks or months at the most.

Cool I'm going to check them out

Pro Touch wrote:Glow Shift Rocks! Your gauges look awesome! Thanks for the link.

Thanks, PT!.......I love them.