FYI: Official Alien Build thread Started 2003, Alien Resurection is underway. Flywheel is finished - transaxle is bolted - Starter works Options

[iamchappy]

We should get a homing device installed on the Alien so we can watch their progress.

Photos of the Alien at the Space Center should be our new car of the month.

[rick 918-S]

Well it was a short season. Maybe spring will come early. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[rick 918-S]

I just finished installing an electric boiler at "North Base Area 51" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)
I've had hydronic tubes in the floor since I had the slab poured but never hooked it up. In floor heat is sooo weird. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[Johny Blackstain]

Sacriledge! Get her inside or activate her shields. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/very_first_smiley[1].gif)

[melnyk]

I just finished installing an electric boiler at "North Base Area 51" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)
I've had ihydronic tubes in the floor since I had the slab poured but never hooked it up. In floor heat is sooo weird. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

HEY pipe thet relief valve to the ground! electric boilers are notorious for a sequencer welding shut and taking off and you dont wanna be near that thing when 30psi of 230* water comes out of that thing.

[rick 918-S]

I just finished installing an electric boiler at "North Base Area 51" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)
I've had ihydronic tubes in the floor since I had the slab poured but never hooked it up. In floor heat is sooo weird. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

HEY pipe thet relief valve to the ground! electric boilers are notorious for a sequencer welding shut and taking off and you dont wanna be near that thing when 30psi of 230* water comes out of that thing.

Thanks, I just finished bleeding the system. I filled the loop with RV anti-freeze. I did want to take any changes if it didn't work. It's a closed loop. I don't have water service to the garage. I had a rubber return hose on the releif valve during the fill.
I used an RV 12V pump to fill the system. Now that the system is filled I will solder a down pipe on the valve.

[rick 918-S]

Sacriledge! Get her inside or activate her shields. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/very_first_smiley[1].gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[melnyk]

I just finished installing an electric boiler at "North Base Area 51" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)
I've had ihydronic tubes in the floor since I had the slab poured but never hooked it up. In floor heat is sooo weird. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

HEY pipe thet relief valve to the ground! electric boilers are notorious for a sequencer welding shut and taking off and you dont wanna be near that thing when 30psi of 230* water comes out of that thing.

Thanks, I just finished bleeding the system. I filled the loop with RV anti-freeze. I did want to take any changes if it didn't work. It's a closed loop. I don't have water service to the garage. I had a rubber return hose on the releif valve during the fill.
I used an RV 12V pump to fill the system. Now that the system is filled I will solder a down pipe on the valve.

ooo keep an eye on the pressure. does it have a LWCO? ive noticed that anifreeze will leak out of insane places that water wont. sometimes just the af will leak out leave the water and knock off the pressure. worst case the water level gets below the aquastat and the thing will just heat the wanter until it shoots steam like crazy another good reason to pipe the relief valve to the floor. its a good system but make sure the sequencers are not stuck closed before you leave the shop everynight...

[rick 918-S]

ooo keep an eye on the pressure. does it have a LWCO? ive noticed that anifreeze will leak out of insane places that water wont. sometimes just the af will leak out leave the water and knock off the pressure. worst case the water level gets below the aquastat and the thing will just heat the wanter until it shoots steam like crazy another good reason to pipe the relief valve to the floor. its a good system but make sure the sequencers are not stuck closed before you leave the shop everynight...

What's a LWCO?

There was nothing in the instructions about that. Infact the instructions were the worse thing I've ever seen. I spent several hours surfing for better info on the net. I used another manufactuers plumbing diagram. It was way better.

[melnyk]

ooo keep an eye on the pressure. does it have a LWCO? ive noticed that anifreeze will leak out of insane places that water wont. sometimes just the af will leak out leave the water and knock off the pressure. worst case the water level gets below the aquastat and the thing will just heat the wanter until it shoots steam like crazy another good reason to pipe the relief valve to the floor. its a good system but make sure the sequencers are not stuck closed before you leave the shop everynight...

What's a LWCO?

There was nothing in the instructions about that. Infact the instructions were the worse thing I've ever seen. I spent several hours surfing for better info on the net. I used another manufactuers plumbing diagram. It was way better.

a low water cut off control is basicly a probe that senses either water or pressure and will shut the system down if the water gets drained from the system

safgard mini lwco

[melnyk]

by the way you did a fantasic job. pumping away from the expansion tank is the best way to scrub the microbubbles from a system. you got a good diagram.

[rick 918-S]

Alien update:

Some of you may know I discovered I had a broken "S" cam. These are unobtainium. After market cams for these engines are in the neighborhood of
$ 1000.00. So in order to make one event this year I opted to install a set of US cams until I could find a "S" cam to replace my broken one.

There was a high mile 4.7L M/28 11 1980 928 euro spec "S" engine for sale on Rennlist for $ 1500.00 The guy decided to part the engine out when no one stepped up to purchase the engine whole.

I just sent the money for the cams! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

For those that don't know this is THE engine to get. It has the biggest ports and valves of the 16 valve engines, way better cams than the US engines and the inside diameter of the spyder tubes are larger than the US engines, also the throttle body is way bigger. The euro "S" makes 300 hp in stock trim turning a pollution pump,A/C, power steering, etc. (I don't have those hp robbers)
vs the US engine with 218 hp.

My original engine, (the one I broke) was an M/28 11 euro "S". I had my block bored to 5.0 and used 32 valve pistons modified with 16 valve notches. My heads are shaved alot. So My compression is like 10.5/1

Simply add the euro "S" top end and you have what the 928 guys call a hybrid. These are known to have 350 + hp as I understand.

So, next spring, WFO (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[rick 918-S]

I just realized I haven't bumped this thread for awhile. I actually drove the car three times this year already. (until it snowed again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) ) I took a 50 mile round trip run up the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior for Lunch at Culvers. And I drove the car twice last week as a DD for work. Cool!

Sandy and I have two major trips planned this year. We plan to drive to Hershey for the Mid-Engine Invasion, and were Booked for the WCR in So-Cal. Hope to see you all there! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)

[BKLA]

any updates?

[rick 918-S]

Here's a long over due update. Sandy and I made the trip out East to the Mid-Engine Invasion in Hershey PA. Most of you know about that but some may not. It was such a whirlwind trip I didn't even take any photos. Between driving and meeting everyone, I don't know how it happened but I have no photos. So you will just have to take my word for it. Or we could chalk it up to another Alien sighting... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)

Sandy was in a masters class during our trip and had a final class project involving two other classmates. She completed her section while we were bumping and banging our way down the road submitted her section of the project to the leader while we were traveling. Being her typical controlling self she insisted seeing the final work before it was submitted for grading. Good thing she insisted because the final peice was a joke. So we had to disappear in the middle of the day on Saturday so she could get back to the room and fix the assignment and get it ready for grading. She pulled off another "A" so it was worth it.

Anyway, hey! I managed to meet some new friends and catchup with some old friends. For all you crazy people that came so far to meet up, swap stories and share food and laughs, my hat is off to you! I specially want to say how great it was to see Barber Dave. I don't want anyone to feel left out for not being mentioned so don't take offense. It was great meeting you all. I was pleased to see my good friend Ed Morrow. I have seen him at many events through the years. We have had some funny times. The Clock I gave him only has 914 on it. Ed always knows what time it is. Ask his wife. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) She will give you one of these (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

I had the great privlege of working behind the scenes as one of the planners. Until you've done this you can't know what a joy it is when people start signing up for the event and start a real banter about what a great time this will be. I specially wanted to meet the planners I was working with long distance. Ray, Mike and Zach and Rich. Pat yourselves on the back guys you pulled together a great time for all. All the sponsors were very kind and generous this year. We can never make these things happen without the sponsors. Thank you all!


I finally got to meet Rich Towle. We had some time to walk around the swap meet and talk cars. Rich is a real car guy with a vast background and a wealth of knowledge that runs deeper that 914's. I have a feeling we will see some real wild thing coming out of his garage over the next several years.

Anyone that has a photo to prove the Alien was in Hershey and this wasn't just an unexplained Alien sighting feel free to post it.

[rick 918-S]

Then about 3 weeks after Hershey we fired up the Alien again and headed to So Cal to the WCR 09. Sandy was finished with her masters class and had a break so she helped with the driving and photography this trip. I'll add a few photos as I go along.
I love traveling west!


Late night Arrival in Vegas. Thanks to John and Toast for a place to finally get a good night sleep!



And We have never felt so welcome! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[rick 918-S]

Next day we all headed to the WCR. Toast couldn't come. She had to work. We missed ya! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

We took the long way! I have a real problem finding time to just relax but thanks to friends We made this a real vacation. Ed Morrow and his daughter Jen joined us in the morning and we headed to Hoover Dam. If you haven't been there for a while you will be shocked! They are consrtucting a new bridge across the river and it is dramatic to say the least!



The crew!



Then Ed and I spotted this fish from the dam! If you know how high the dam is you can imagine how big this fish must have been!



Then we headed for Route "66" What a great trip!

[rick 918-S]

We stopped at the Famous Roy's Motel in Amboy along Route "66"




Next we drove through the Joshua Tree National Forest. This is a very Alien place!



Here's Skull Rock

[rick 918-S]

Here's a picture of Ed in the nose of the skull. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)



Sharing driving duties.



And really cute toes! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)



Arrival after about 2250 miles one way. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[rick 918-S]

Some photos from the WCR 09