Hiller helicopter with Franklin engine
 

I saw a mothballed Hiller helicopter with a vertically mounted Franklin flat 6. At least the rudder pedals were marked HILLER and the individual valve covers had Franklin script on them. I traced the intake manifold to be a U with the vertical branches feeding each cylinder and meeting at the vertex of the U. The top of each branch was closed off with a 3-bolt flange. No carbs. Do the carbs mount to the tops of these branches? If so, what's the point of the branches meeting at the bottom?

My guess is that it would have looked like the douvle row helicopter in the attahced pic when it was flightworthy. Or it was built for Shaq :)

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I found this pic of a similar looking engine. The red pipe joining the branches of the intake manifold was not in the helicopter engine and the flanges were sealed off. You can kinda see how the far end of the intake manifold branch curves in to meet the other branch.

Where does the carb go on this engine?

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

THe Franklin used the Hiller engine , not vise-versa.....

was definately a car ahead of its time.

Anybody know what helicopter engine was used in the TUCKER automobile?

Ohhhhh maybe thats the one I was thinking of........ :eek:

Thought it was a Continental in the Tucker 48 (not as in Lincoln, as in the aircraft engine), I'll check it out.
Gilly

Nope, it was a Franklin:

Engine Specifications:
Horizontally opposed rear-mounted flat six cylinder engine
Aluminum block produced by Franklin Aircooled Motors

Bore: 4.5 in.
Stroke: 3.5 in.
Piston displacement: 335 cu. in.
Maximum horsepower: 166 b.h.p. @ 3200 r.p.m.
Maximum bmep: 200 p.s.i. @ 1800 r.p.m. (brake mean effective pressure)
Maximum torque: 450 lbs/ft @ 1800 r.p.m.
Piston speed @ max. r.p.m: 1500 f.p.m.
Compression ratio: 7:1
Induction system: 2-bbl. Stromberg downdraft carburetor, mechanical fuel pump
Exhaust system: Twin mufflers, 6 exhaust pipes
Electrical system: 6-volt battery/coil
Valves: OHV, hydraulic actuation inclined @ 70 degrees
Valve overlap: 0
Fuel feed: Direct fuel injection through rotating distributor pump; S-2 single plunger or S-3 multiple plunger systems. Pressure at nozzle; 100 to 200 p.s.i.
Operating oil pressure: 60 p.s.i.
Ignition: 12-volt system, Autolite distributor and low output coil
Firing order: 1-4-5-2-3-6
Weight (complete): 490 lbs.
Lbs. per cu. in.: .83