[F500] AMW Setup Advise Needed

Tue Jul 13 08:50:14 MST 2004

Thanks for the suggestion Chuck.  Right now the fuel goes in the inlet on the left carb (the one with the built-in pump), out the return on the left carb which is connected to the inlet on the right carb (no built-in pump), out the return of the right carb and back to the fuel cell.  Should we be using a T between the surge tank and the inlets (feeding each carb separately) and returning from each carb separately?  If so, I assume that I need to add a built-in pump to the right carb.  If I add a pump the right carb, how do I connect the pulse line to it?  Another T?  Wouldn't that reduce the pulse pressure and thus the effectiveness of the pump?

I've read a most of the F500 e-mail list archives in search of information, so I'm certainly aware of the engines reputation.  Unfortunately, our budget won't allow us to switch to a Rotax for a while yet.  Overall, the AMW seems to be running quite well, but it is obviously not performing up to its potential

Thanks,

Sheldon

----- Original Message -----
From: "McAbee, Chuck" <Chuck_McAbee at csx.com>
Date: Monday, July 12, 2004 9:35 pm
Subject: RE: [F500] AMW Setup Advise Needed

> The carbs used on the AMW have a designated inlet port and return 
> port for the fuel lines....the only thing I can say is....don't 
> cross connect the fuel lines....the engine will run in a 
> pit/paddock environment....it will melt a piston in less than a 
> two mile out lap when used in anger....Experience is a hard 
> teacher.  It has been so long since I dealt with the AMW I have 
> forgotten the settings I was using, although I know I did not have 
> a regulator installed after the surge tank.  To those of us who 
> dealt with the motor in racing, the AMW signified the 'Dark Ages' 
> of the F440/F500 class, Rotax brought about the Renaissance and 
> age of enlightenment.
> 
> 
> Chuck McAbee
> SEDIV #16
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: f500-bounces+chuck_mcabee=csx.com at f500.org
> [f500-bounces+chuck_mcabee=csx.com at f500.org]
> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 8:54 PM
> To: f500 at f500.org
> Subject: [F500] AMW Setup Advise Needed
> 
> 
> After struggling with our ill-mannered Kawi motor for several 
> events, it suffered a significant failure a few weeks ago.  I will 
> likely be seeking advise on resurrecting it in the future.  In the 
> meantime, we have installed the spare AMW motor which came with 
> the car when we bought it earlier this year.  The AMW had 
> previously been installed in the car (several years ago), so most 
> of the required bits and pieces required to mount it were included 
> in the boxes of spare parts that came with the car.  
> Unfortunately, the previous owner doesn't have a very clear 
> recollection of how the motor was setup or how various components 
> went together.
> 
> We managed to get the engine installed and running, but we have a 
> few questions (Note: car is being used for SOLO 2 only):
> 
> 1. The engine seems to be running way rich.  We are at sea level 
> and temperatures are 70-85F.  The carbs have 140 main jets and 60 
> idle jets (I think - kind of hard to read the number).  I leaned 
> it out as much as I could using the adjuster screws, but quickly 
> maxed out the high speed adjuster before getting anything 
> resembling smooth running at the top end.  It sounds OK in the low 
> to mid range, but sounds extremely rich at the top-end.  The EGT's 
> never get above 850 or so, but are very even side to side (never 
> more than 50 deg different).  I can certainly go to a smaller main 
> jet, but I'm at sea level, I would be surprised if the engine was 
> jetted for higher air density than we have here.  Does anyone have 
> any recommendations regarding jetting for running at sea level or 
> other reasons that we might be running rich at the top end?
> 
> 2. We are currently running 94 octane pump gas mixed 40:1 with 
> Redline oil based on the AMW manual's recommendation.  Is it 
> better to run a higher octane?  Is it better to run leaded race 
> fuel?  How about oil ratio?
> 
> 3. The fuel system is currently setup as follows.  There is a line 
> from the fuel cell to a Purolator electric fuel pump (I believe 2-
> 3.5PSI output @ about 25 gallons per hour).  From the fuel pump it 
> goes to the surge tank.  The surge tank has an outlet to the carbs 
> at the bottom and a return line (with approx. 1/32" restriction) 
> at the top.  The line from the surge tank to the carbs has a 
> filter and regulator installed on it.  The carbs are plumbed in 
> series (fuel goes into left carb, out right carb and back to fuel 
> cell).  Does this the right way to set up the fuel system?  What 
> should the regulator between the surge tank and carbs be set to?
> 
> Thanks for your assistance,
> 
> Sheldon
> Pink '90 KBS Mk 5
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