spd wedge

[Mike]

Joe's Garage site has some good pics of a Wedge and the jet drive.

Sperry Rand Wedge

Don, those are some great shots. thanks for linking to them. i assume that this one http://www.joesgarage.us/P1010221.JPG is showing how the jet drive is driven?

[Don]

That'd be my guess, but I don't know the Wedge machine well at all. One of the guys that's familiar with it may be able to tell. Lance?

[tanker]

after my engine conversion I won't be able to use the factory jet pump but I am trying to think up ways to add a pump or prop. that all comes later, I just want to see it run first.

[tanker]

Okay boys I finally took some pics of the wedge project so here they are. keep in mind its a project that is in the beginning stages so it is a little "rough"

[tanker]

heres a couple pics of the engine, the engine mount and the mounting position itself

[tmecars]

Tanker
Your Wedge looks to be in really good shape. I cant wait to see how the modifications turn out. Keep us posted.
T

[Mike]

Awesome! Are you planning on keeping the roll cage?

[Beeman]

Can you get any more pics of the jet drive?

[liflod]

That picture is the jet pump drive. You cannot see the clutch that actuates the pump. I managed to pick up the factory parts manual and parts breakdown of the Wedge. Gotta love eBay.

[tmecars]

dismantling the Wedge

I was taking a look at the Wedge yesterday (after about 2 years of it sitting untouched)

1. Is there a way for the fuel tank to be removed?
2. I believe the entire drive assy can be removed as a unit, but I'm not sure. Can anyone confirm?
3. What's the easiest way to remove the drive axles?
4. I have soaked and soaked and soaked rusty bolts in a spray on lubricant...they aren't budging. Is my only solution to grind off the heads or is there a NASA certified rust eater that I don't know about?
5. Is standard 520 chain sufficient? Anyone know of a good source for chain?

[hydromike]

I can only answer questions 4 and 5.....

4. Grind 'em if you can. If soaking with something like PB Blaster doesn't work after a long soaking time, you can try a little heat on the nut if it's reachable without damaging fiberglass. You'll likely want to replace the nuts/bolts if they're that bad anyway. I like it when they break. Much less work.

5. Try Motion Industries. Do a search for "40 Roller chain" (I think the Wedges take 40, right?). If the search engine doesn't give good results, give the local branch a call. They're always very willing to help people out, and they have several chain options available to fit your budget. I buy mine in 50 foot reels. There isn't really an economy-of-scale, but you're left to break it where you want, rather than having 3.2 feet left over from each 10 foot roll you buy.

I just finished re-chaining my RIM with #50 Diamond chain. 8 Chains total, with about 35 feet of chain for the whole machine.. That's a lot of chain.

~m

[tanker]

the entire drive train assembly is one unit which makes it easy to take out. I wish I hadn't thrown my old one away, but I thought I was the only spd wedge owner in the world at that time and new I needed to uprade. The axles should come right out if you have unbolted the carriages and the outside flanges.

as for the bolts, dont waste your time trying to free them up. just torch them off or grind them off or, I used a chisel on mine, my thumbnail grew back though.

you gotta get us some pics.

[tanker]

I think the fuel tank is held in by straps that are bolted through the hull to the outside above the tires. I haven't taken mine out yet but I have looked. let me know what you find out.

[liflod]

The quarter turn bolts on my Wedge are the best. You turn them 1/4 turn and they break off. Can't get much easier.

[tanker]

so quarter turn bolts is what they are called, I knew them as @#$$#@@ bolts and !@@#@## bolts the latter are metric I think