1917 Curtiss OXX-6 Aero Engine.
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This is what the car will look like when the project is complete.
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Engine I purchased plus an almost complete spare engine for parts.
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After its arrival at my shop in Rhode Island, my crew wasted no time in making a custom rolling frame to house the new Curtiss Aero engine and began dismantling the engine.
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After its arrival at my shop in Rhode Island, my crew wasted no time in making a custom rolling frame to house the new Curtiss Aero engine and began dismantling the engine.
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After looking through my "project car" inventory in my downtown warehouse, I picked a period-correct 1917 Cadillac chassis to be used for the new race car project.
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After looking through my "project car" inventory in my downtown warehouse, I picked a period-correct 1917 Cadillac chassis to be used for the new race car project.
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Left side view of race car chassis after fenders, splash aprons, and wheels etc. were removed.
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Left side view of race car chassis after fenders, splash aprons, and wheels etc. were removed.
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Chassis is stripped of all previous body parts.
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Proper steering box and pitman arm Is located and fitted to the chassis.
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Tie rod had to be removed, straightened, and relocated to its correct position on the chassis.
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After close inspection, it was noted that severe pitting was present on the front rails of the chassis.
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37 inches of the left side top rail must be replaced.
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The pitted sections were measured so that the proper 3/16 inch thick replacement pieces could be ordered.
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The pitted sections were measured so that the proper 3/16 inch thick replacement pieces could be ordered.
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The complete chassis was taken to the sand blasting shop where it was steam cleaned, sand blasted, and painted.
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The newly painted chassis is being loaded into the trailer to be returned to our shop.
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The newly painted chassis is being loaded into the trailer to be returned to our shop.
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The newly sand blasted and painted chassis as it arrived at our shop.
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The newly sand blasted and painted chassis as it arrived at our shop.
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The pitted section has been removed.
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The new steel section being fitted to the chassis.
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The new steel section being clamped in place before the welding.
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The section is tacked in place before the final weld.
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The new steel sections being welded to the chassis.
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The new steel sections being welded to the chassis.
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The new steel sections being welded to the chassis.
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The new steel sections being welded to the chassis.
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Left side rail piece is welded into place.
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The weld must be ground and surfaced.
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Left rail after the weld is ground and resurfaced.
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Left rail after the weld is ground and resurfaced.
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Completed chassis after the new steel has been added and resurfaced.
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Brock filling tiny pits on the left side rail.
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Finished section of chassis.
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It was noted that the front springs were not curved (arked) enough causing them to ride too close to the tie rods. They were removed and will be reshaped.
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Several “fat man” wheels were used for parts in order to produce an excellent usable steering wheel for this project
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Several “fat man” wheels were used for parts in order to produce an excellent usable steering wheel for this project
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The complete engine has been dismantled and will be rebuilt.
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The complete engine has been dismantled and will be rebuilt.
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Over thirty matching grease cups have been located, restored, and placed in the appropriate locations on the restored chassis. This view is of the left rear.
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Matching grease cups on right rear located in new rear leaf spring.
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Bobby Esposito replacing the pistons and rings in the newly restored engine.
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Bobby Esposito replacing the pistons and rings in the newly restored engine.
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The completed body arrives.
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The ramp truck made the transfer to the chassis quite simple.
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The ramp truck made the transfer to the chassis quite simple.
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New body in place on chassis..
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We are amazed as to how nicely the body fits to the completed chassis.
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Body in place with gas tank that may be used for this project.
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View of completed body and diamond tufted seats.
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Engine pan cleaned, repaired, and fitted with new pan gasket ready for the engine.
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Brock and Esposito attaching the restored oil pan.
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Steering box removed and body moved back in order to accept the engine.
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A vintage Fleichman Brothers Radiator which is period correct for this project was located and placed on the chassis. It was later determined that this radiator is damaged beyond repair. See the all new replacement later in this album.
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A vintage Fleichman Brothers Radiator which is period correct for this project was located and placed on the chassis. It was later determined that this radiator is damaged beyond repair. See the all new replacement later in this album.
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Pat, Justin, and Bobby admiring the OXX6 engine in place as it will sit permanently.
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Engine and radiator in place so custom motor mounts can be fabricated.
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Engine and radiator in place so custom motor mounts can be fabricated.
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Custom motor mounts after fabrication.
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Custom motor mounts after fabrication.
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A very rare Curtiss radiator mascot has been located and it will be placed on the radiator.
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Left and right rubber bumpers were fabricated and placed on the left and right side spring tops between the springs and chassis.
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Left and right rubber bumpers were fabricated and placed on the left and right side spring tops between the springs and chassis.
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A gas tank (front) and oil tank (rear) has been located and fitted to the body.
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A gas tank (front) and oil tank (rear) has been located and fitted to the body.
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The eight cyllinders have finally returned from the machine shop and are rebuilt and ready for installation.
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The eight cyllinders have finally returned from the machine shop and are rebuilt and ready for installation.
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The eight cyllinders have finally returned from the machine shop and are rebuilt and ready for installation.
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A cardboard template has been cut and matched to the cowl section and placed on a 1/8 inch piece of rough aluminum.
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The rough cut section of aluminum that mimics the cardboard shape.
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The rough edges being finely shaped.
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The rough edges being finely shaped.
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The newly cut aluminum dash fitted to the cowl of the race car to check for proper fit.
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A period-correct Reliance tachometer is the first gauge fitted to the dash for effect.
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The rough face of the new aluminum dash being polished.
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The rough face of the new aluminum dash being polished.
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The new polished aluminum dash with it's first instrument attached.
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The new dash awaits speedometer, oil pressure gauge, amp meter, temperature gauge, gas pressure gauge, ignition switch, starter switch, etc.
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Brock placing the final rebuilt cylinder on the OXX-6 Curtiss Aero engine. The engine has received new rings and valves and all cylinders have been honed to perfection.
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Brock removing masking tape and paper after painting the eight cylinder heads.
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Painting completed on the eight cylinder heads.
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Colby begins assembly of the lifters.
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All the period correct gauges have been located and prepared for installation on the dash. They include gas pressure, amperes, oil pressure, tachometer, water temperature, speedometer, and clock.
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Dash completed with five gauges.
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Dash finished and mounted to the cowl section.
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Dash finished and mounted to the cowl section.
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New water hose and clamps have been added to the cooling system.
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New ted rubber hose and clamps, right side.
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New rubber hose and clamps, left side.
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Rebuilt and polished water pump in place.
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Newly fabricated left and right gas caps in place
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Close-up of newly fabricated left gas cap.
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Gas tank (left) and proper oil tank (right) with curved brackets in place.
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Gas and oil tanks with final coat of paint fitted and placed on rear section of body.
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Gas and oil tanks with final coat of paint fitted and placed on rear section of body.
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Gas and oil tanks with final coat of paint fitted and placed on rear section of body.
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There are two functioning magnetos on the OXX6. Seen here is the Bosch style in place on the engine.
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Completely rebuilt Simms Magneto in place on the engine.
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Newly fabricated custom built radiator with brass shell and Curtiss logo has been fitted and secured to the chassis.
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Newly fabricated custom built radiator with brass shell and Curtiss logo has been fitted and secured to the chassis.
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Newly fabricated custom built radiator with brass shell and Curtiss logo has been fitted and secured to the chassis.
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A custom styled Curtiss radiator cap (mascot) has been fabricated and fitted to the new brass shelled radiator.
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Upper red radiator hose attached to the cooling system inlet (left side).
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Upper red radiator hose attached to the cooling system inlet (right side).
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A custom intake manifold was fabricated to accommodate two model 94 Ford-Holley Carburetors (190CFM).
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A custom intake manifold was fabricated to accommodate two model 94 Ford-Holley Carburetors (190CFM).
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Newly fabricated intake fitted to the exhaust manifolds.
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Newly fabricated intake fitted to the exhaust manifolds.
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Two Ford-Holley 190 CFM carburetors mounted to the newly fabricated intake manifold.
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Two Ford-Holley 190 CFM carburetors mounted to the newly fabricated intake manifold.
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Left side of engine displaying plug wires fished through finished wire loom and attached to Raja spark plug ends.
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Right side of engine with plug wires fished through finished wire loom.
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One of the two restored Dixie mags in place. This one is the auxiliary.
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Custom drive shaft attached to rear end.
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Later model American transmission that will be used.
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Twelve volt starter in place and functional.
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Newly fabricated drivetrain in place.
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Transmission has been set up to work with the other newly fabricated drivetrain.
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Rear section of driveshaft attached.
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It has taken nearly two years to fabricate new hubs and axle shafts in order to transform the OXX6 project from an artillery wheeled vehicle to a wire wheeled vehicle. This photo displays the left side rear hub.
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New hub and restored cap attached to the brake drum.
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Angled view of the new hub and restored cap attached to the original brake hub.
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The axle shaft ends had to be modified to accommodate the new hubs.
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The new wire wheels can now be attached to the Curtiss project car chassis.
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The first battery holding bracket being custom made to fit one of the two 12 volt batteries.
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The second battery holding bracket being custom made to fit the second 12 volt battery.
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The two 12 volt interstate batteries will be wired together for serious cranking power.
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The first completed battery holder in place.
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The first battery is now in place in its new holder.
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Both 12 volt batteries are now in place on the right side of the chassis under the floor boards.
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The wooden firewall has been cut and fitted to the cowl.
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The kick panel and floor boards are in place.
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A cardboard template has been formed to fabricate a metal transmission cover.
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Hub newly fabricated by expert machinist Don Sandberg will allow wire wheels to replace the wooden spoked wheels.
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Don Sandberg is fitting the hub to the right front axle.
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Don Sandberg is fitting the left front wheel to the hub.
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Walter is applying solder to the copper water lines as he fabricates them (left side).
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Left side water line completed.
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Right side water line completed.
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Gas pedal and all linkage attached and operational.
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Brake and clutch pedals custom fitted and operational.
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New firewall in place needing paint.
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New transmission cover needing final prep before paint.
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Right side view showing new gas pedal, clutch, and brake pedals, transmission cover and new wood floor. This work represents many hours of design, fabrication, and labor.
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Worker checking the angle of the header pipes that he will be fabricating.
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Four of the left side pipes cut and tacked together.
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All eight pipes are now finished and ready to be welded to the header bases.
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Left side is complete and in place.
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Worker welding the header pipe bases (right side).
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Worker welding the header pipe bases to the header pipe.
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Left side view of the completed engine with all parts functioning properly. Antifreeze was added to the radiator which prompted us to make the final adjustments to secure leaks by tightening hoses and packing the water pump to insure a properly functioning coolant system.
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Left side view of the completed project with all parts tweaked and functioning properly.
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Right side of completed engine. Ready to fire her up. Watch for video of the completed restoration of this project. "Ready to Roll"
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Copper gas line was fitted to the firewall and attached from the carburetors to the gas tank in the rear.
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A pressure regulator was added to the fuel system to insure proper fuel pressure.
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