Mounting the pump, part II: the prototype bracket;
This afternoon, I swung by my friendly steel-yard, and bought a chunk of 1/4" plate steel, a tad-bit larger than the template I made yesterday. I placed my template onto the plate, transferred position indicators for the hole-pattern centers, etc., and used a soapstone to mark the cutting-path. Using the cutting torch (with almost no acetylene left!), I cut the two holes- the minimal-precision hole around the crankshaft, and a smallish hole around what will be a more-precise fitting SAE "A" 2-bolt pump mount. Fortunately, I had enough gas left to cut the perimeter of the bracket... I was expecting Murphy to intervene and nix my gas-axe about halfway through those two holes, but I got lucky. Why is it that the welding-supply stores don't have 24-hour service at their drive-up windows?
Next, I knocked off the worst of the 'torch boogers' with hammer, chisel, and 4" angle grinder, placed it on the drill-press, and drilled just ONE of the engine-mount bolts, and hung it on the engine to see if it'd attract flies.
Although tonight's torch-work ain't great, it didn't attract flies. Would've rather had a nice laser-cut one, but that'll hafta wait 'till I get all the CAD file compatibility stuff figured out with the guys at the fab shop. Once I get that squared-away, and after I've had a chance to test this bracket under load, I'll pull this bracket off, and put on a laser-cut one so it's pretty. I could grind this one all down 'till it looks pretty, but I'm not really concerned about it's aesthetics- I'm more concerned about flex and clearances, so it'll probably get a stiffener-brace welded to it, and mebbie it'll get torched a bit more to make space for the loader's lift-arms, etc.
I moved the bracket back to the work-table, and placed one engine mount bolt through the electric clutch I got from Keith, and double-checked the locations of the remaining three holes. Lucky I did, too- some of 'em didn't transfer quite right from the cardboard template. (These things happen)
Then I opened up the pump-mount hole. Here's the rough opening, and the white line is about where the hole had'ta finish.
Yep- lots'a unneeded metal there, so I very carefully pushed some of it back with the torch, then got a handful of grinding stones and put'em in the 1/4" die-grinder [advance clock 2 hours] and now I've got a nice fit between the pump flange and that hole.
To be continued...