Eagler's Nest

Engines => 4 Cylinder => 4A084 Teledyne Continental/Hercules => Topic started by: PropMan on January 07, 2015, 06:24:00 PM

Title: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: PropMan on January 07, 2015, 06:24:00 PM
I'm going down the not so traveled road with XL B2.
Picked up my engine yesterday and will try to chronicle here as best possible for others.

One of the main reasons for this engine choice is cost. The estimated completed cost is 800.00
The 084 comes in a bit heaver than the 1/2 VW- it should come in around 125 pounds.
With most of the work being removal of unnecessary parts, imagine a mini Continental O200( the engine started life as a military generator powerplant built by Teledyne), it should produce an honest 45HP when complete.

The first photo is as received and second after about 40 pounds of stuff were removed.
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: XL-C-100 on January 08, 2015, 04:55:44 AM
I have wanted to go the same route with my build. I've been trying to keep my ears open for anyone selling a A084 for a reasonable price. I have looked at them on Saturn Surplus but if I am going to pay that much I would save a little extra and get the 1/2 vw. 

Where did you get yours and does anyone have one they are looking to sell?
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: PropMan on January 08, 2015, 05:53:29 AM
A friend had this one. it's used, so I need to give it a good going over, may have to replace/ rebuild some of it.  Check ebay and Craigslist. I know there is one seller on ebay asking 799.00 plus shipping, it's supposed to be new. Even thou the ones at Saturn are pricy, it's still going to be half of a 45HP VW.
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: Jlwright on January 08, 2015, 04:13:08 PM
I built one up for airplane use and was really a nice looking engine. I sold it as it was too heavy for the power it produced. I think the only way to get a good power to weight ratio is with fuel injection and electronic ignition. I don't have the skill set for this type of work. Getting it under 100 lbs is going to pretty hard I Think. I hope you make it work though as it looks like it belongs on an airplane.
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: PropMan on January 08, 2015, 04:22:07 PM
I don't think it will ever get down to 100 lbs. 125 lbs is realistic as is 45 hp. The engine stock produces 40 hp at sea level. So, helping it breath should improve things. Changing the carb to MikuniVM28 and new exhaust. From what I've read the one that had fuel injection was close to 50 HP. A customer has one turning a prop that is similar to a full VW prop in the 50 hp range.
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: PropMan on January 11, 2015, 03:17:19 PM
Well, a few days of dealin with a cold bug and I felt good enough to go back out to the shop yesterday evening.

Weighed what items that have been removed, 77lbs so far. I figure there's 7-8 lbs more that's easy then it'll be and ounce here and there. Got real energetic and picked up the engine an stood on the scale( sorry couldn't take a pic of that) It weighed in at 133lbs. when all is said an done should be under 125lbs. I can hear Joe yelling at me ;-). Keep it light. Yeah I know, but this things only cost me 350.00 so far. I'm going for cheap!
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: Bugsmasher on February 03, 2015, 03:46:38 PM
The issues a friend had with his was small valves, odd situation of thrust being taken by a bolt-in disc in the center of the engine, and heavy iron cylinders.
This is where he bought his engine..........    http://delksarmynavysurplus.com/ (http://delksarmynavysurplus.com/)
Quick drive from Mt Holly to pick it up. Seemed to be a nice engine though.
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: Charles Brown on June 15, 2015, 11:59:45 AM
I have a 4A084 that I am rebuilding, to get the best performance I am porting and polishing the  intake and exhaust as the smother the intake and exhaust the better it breath's more power it will have. Go on youtube look at that eagle and see how it fly's use aero vee fuel injection less chance of freezing.
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: PropMan on June 18, 2015, 08:17:27 AM
Charles - is this an Eagle with a 4A084 and aero vee fuel injection? cant find the you tube - gota link?
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: Thubbadubba on February 28, 2017, 12:13:42 AM
After you strip everything you can strip, some folks replace the big heavy mag with something electronic and light. Not too much else you can strip off of it.

Propman said: 
> "The engine stock produces 40 hp at sea level"
The military documentation for this engine says they dynoed it at 35 hp at 3600 rpm. This was stock. Of course the fan sucks a few hp.

The highest hp number folks seem to agree on is 43 hp for the stripped engine. Les Smoot seemed confident that he was getting 50 hp from one EFI engine. I dunno if if he is still involved with these. I wonder what he has done with them lately, my info is old. I have an long interesting video he made to show off his EFI engine.

> "This things only cost me $350 so far."
I have three of them in my storage. One is somewhat stripped- the PO took off the shrouding. Two of them are box-stock. They are used. I think they are all 4A084-4, the latest model. They came from a government auction. You might know that NATO is going to "One Fuel" and gasoline engines are being cleared out. I take this to mean that these engines were not throw-aways, they were in military inventory to be used again. 

I may have a prop hub, just can't remember. They all turn freely but I have not attempted to start any of them.

I'd be happy to accept $250 each for these engines. The downside is that my health doesn't allow me to wrestle stuff around to palletize them. If you are within reach of Fresno CA and want one or all, contact me. gab16@sbcglobal.net

Maybe I could hire someone to assist me in shipping them if someone wanted them all. I have no clue what it would cost to ship.
Title: Re: 4A084 For XL B2
Post by: ray_pilot on April 14, 2017, 08:03:23 AM
If you're getting rid of stuff, I might be interested in that prop hub.   What do you want for it?   Thanks.
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