Speedy engine big end bolts

[Bill Sheehan]

I found no problems or surprises other than the starter dog, my car uses the original 3/8" lift cam and everything cleared when assembled. The issues were the that oil ways within the dog were too small for my liking and the cross drilling was in the wrong place, the dog is hardened so a drill bit with tungsten carbide tip is required to open the holes out. Probably with hindsight, had I been aware of this when I ordered Phoenix could have made the starter dog to suit my engine. I believe the issue stems from the fact most pressure fed cranks are built into non original engines using a completely different oil bottle and seal arrangement at the front of the engine.

Ian, I have been in touch with Marc Taylor of Phoenix Crankshafts and he very kindly sent me a drawing of the starter dog that they make based on a 30 year old design they received from an A7 owner, Brian King (are you out there anywhere Brian?). On this drawing the cross hole for crankshaft lubrication is positioned 13/16" from the external face of the 1 1/2" AF nut whereas on my starter dog the cross hole is 1 1/8" from the face of the nut. I guess this is the same problem that you faced. The diameter of the hole is 3/16" as on the drawing.
Marc says it would be possible to relocate the cross hole to fit.

Purely by chance I happen to glance back onto this subject and found that an item I submitted some time back did for some reason not appear.  So here's another go.  Roughly what I said was that most people wouldn't be aware that Speedy starter dogs are different from the standard ones.  If you measure from the front to the face of the circular bit, a Speedy is 1 5/8" against a standard dog 1 3/8".  The nut is 5/16" thick whereas the standard one is 1/4", consequently the nut to the end of the thread is 1 1/16' as against the standard 1 1/8".  Sadly These measurements were taken when I had a baby dinosaur as a pet, and I failed to measure the location of the holes and their diam. so can't remember much about them.  But at least people, including those who've found out the hard way, will know now that the dogs are definitely different,.  As to the relation with the Phoenix, I'd imagine this is of not much help.   Cheers,  Bill in Oz