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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Anyone have access to a 917 engine for reverse engineering or a few dimensions here and there?
Posted by: Mueller Oct 12 2016, 12:11 PM
I know it is a long shot.
I have started to model up a 4.5 liter 12 cylinder 917 engine. I am using a few drawings I have found online and pictures. For scaling purposes I have used some known dimensions like the stroke (66mm in this case)
There are some components that would be nice to get better dimensions from such as bearings which if they shared 911 bearings that wouldn't be too difficult to obtain the numbers needed.
The final goal is to have a 3D model so that anyone could print or machine a scale version of this engine for their own enjoyment!
Posted by: Catorse Oct 12 2016, 01:15 PM
Well shit, why didn't you just ask. Got two 917s sitting in the garage right here next to the teener 
Posted by: 7TPorsh Oct 12 2016, 01:53 PM
Maybe talk to this guy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1wpi2o1Q2o
Posted by: damesandhotrods Oct 12 2016, 02:03 PM
From what I remember reading the 908 flat 8 and the 917 flat 12 were both 911 flat 6 based…
Posted by: Mueller Oct 12 2016, 02:07 PM
From what I remember reading the 908 flat 8 and the 917 flat 12 were both 911 flat 6 based…
That would make sense, easy to find a torn down or broken 911 parts.
Posted by: mepstein Oct 12 2016, 02:15 PM
962 yes, 917 not yet...
Posted by: davesprinkle Oct 12 2016, 08:07 PM
From what I remember reading the 908 flat 8 and the 917 flat 12 were both 911 flat 6 based…
Yeah, I thought that, too, until I saw the 908 flat-8 on the Rothsport dyno. Completely different. DOHC, to start with...
Posted by: SirAndy Oct 12 2016, 08:35 PM
Just weld together two 2.2L /6 engines. That should get you close ...
Posted by: wndsnd Oct 12 2016, 08:49 PM
I think Towle has one in his barn behind a few 911's, Beatles, and 356's.
Posted by: gms Oct 12 2016, 08:51 PM
ask this guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3CkVwtOPX4
Posted by: Catorse Oct 13 2016, 08:35 AM
Mueller,
Honestly though I am really serious about one day buying one of the 917 replica cars from RCR (look them up). Mostly, people put 911 flat 6 in them, but how awesome would it be to make a flat 12.
Let us know what you find!
Posted by: 914fahrer Oct 13 2016, 09:26 AM
My pictures
Posted by: Dave_Darling Oct 13 2016, 06:13 PM
One of the attendees of the old MUSR had a 917 crankcase sitting in his garage... I'm pretty sure he was able to clean the drool off of it after I left...
--DD
Posted by: horizontally-opposed Oct 14 2016, 08:47 PM
Canepa has a few of those engines in the shop, at least 2-3 in cars, and I think they'll be building/rebuilding one soon...
Posted by: jcd914 Oct 15 2016, 12:45 PM
You could talk to Rich or Jerry at Jerry Wood's Enterprise in Campbell CA.
Last time I was there (15 yrs ago) they had at least 2 917 Engines and a 917 undergoing restoration.
Jim
Posted by: Mueller Oct 15 2016, 08:12 PM
Thanks Pete and Jim.
I would think with the brain power and resources Canapa has they would have a solid model of one of their motors already. (theirs or a customers)
And if they did I highly doubt they'd share since it would been done on the clock!
I'm not really anyone important to let into a shop to grab those numbers so I am not sure how I'd approach such an outfit, I'm just a guy in a garage with a small dream 
Maybe I'll scan my Type IV motor 1st, then I might be taken a little more seriously.
I did scan this suspension part a few years back, pretty crude but the technology has gotten better and cheaper....hmmm, maybe I need some "investors", haha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuTcyWqfqvI
Posted by: Mueller Oct 22 2016, 03:51 PM
Small world, turns out a fellow Volvo nut works at Canepa, I'm going to see if he can snap some detailed pictures for me. Worse case is no, we'll see.
Posted by: Catorse Oct 22 2016, 06:09 PM
I phone Alfing Crankshafts in Germany, the original manufacturer of the 917 crank. They told me they would consider making new cranks but they would need to be ordered directly from Porsche. I asked for a drawing of the crank, to which they answered once again I'd need to talk to Porsche....
Posted by: Mueller Oct 23 2016, 09:03 AM
I phone Alfing Crankshafts in Germany, the original manufacturer of the 917 crank. They told me they would consider making new cranks but they would need to be ordered directly from Porsche. I asked for a drawing of the crank, to which they answered once again I'd need to talk to Porsche....
Great research finding the OEM!
Are there improvements to be made such as material change or bearing size? (Smaller 2" SBC or Honda bearings?)
Posted by: Catorse Oct 23 2016, 10:42 AM
I phone Alfing Crankshafts in Germany, the original manufacturer of the 917 crank. They told me they would consider making new cranks but they would need to be ordered directly from Porsche. I asked for a drawing of the crank, to which they answered once again I'd need to talk to Porsche....
Great research finding the OEM!
Are there improvements to be made such as material change or bearing size? (Smaller 2" SBC or Honda bearings?)
Yeah it was quite a hunt. Somone posted a pic of a crank with this symbol on it, really grainy, finally started googling the letters until I found ALFING. Like hitting gold!
I don't think bearings are an issue. You can always have them made, and at the end of the day if you are making a repro 917 engine it's a one off anyways....
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