More engine work - Erie Builts by Overland - Motor replacement and repainting.

Well, this started as a project to replace the motors that came from Overland as they were small cans. I converted to large cans with 5 times the torque. Then I really looked at the paint job. It was a commercial job done for Overland. Not the best. 

Here I have stripped the engine to the frame (started with the B unit to determine the feasibility) The frame is clamped in a a vise for me to grind out a section of the frame to allow the larger can to drop in.

Here you see the score line for the cut which is based on the larger diameter. 

Cut being made with a heavy Dremel and cutoff wheel. Lots of brass dust around. 

Cuts are made and the opening being dressed

I actually repainted the frame later to cover the raw brass,

I now have to modify the brass mounting saddles to match the holes in the motor. this is a big pain as I have to keep the motor level as well and the holes on each end are not the same as the old motor.

Holes are now drilled and plate is in place. 

This  is the difference in size with the smaller motor at the bottom.

Previous drive

New drive. Once the B unit was successfully done, I went on to do the two A units. 

Here is an A unit body. The commercial painter for Overland used Microscale decals and while the lettering is okay, the stripe  is almost 3X oversized. It is overpowering.

It is so prominent that I am debating about removing it and replacing it with something much closer. 

The painter also put the wrong number on the nose of one side of an A - transposing two digits. So, using water and a 600 grit sanding stick, I removed the old decal and you can see I did not disturb the paint. The Microscale decals are thin and came off easily. Now I have to think about the stripe more. If I can do that along the side, I can sand it off and replace it. I would remove the stripe and the flare behind the marker as it is too wide also. 

The painter also did not put lights in the nose. So, I pushed out the MV Lens headlight and can now make a reflector and put in a lighting circuit.  Underneath the body are packages of decals that I am using to size up the stripe project. 

These are prototype photos that show how thin that stripe was. Here is a 1957 photo with a 2 inch stripe. Looks nice. It was most common as it was original and the repaintings generally followed it.

 This was a later photo with a 3 inch stripe. These began to show up in the 60's. Not as nice. I have Champ 2 inch stripes and can modify a nose curve. So, maybe??

Close up of the 2 A unit drives with a former motor.

Here is the B unit with the new drive. That stipe just drives me crazy so if I can match the paint color, I may try to sand this unit and put on a new stripe. It will be the test bed again! I have to make the determination before I close up the A units. I will also add more decals for Water, Fuel and other notations.