The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test
Rob Ida conducted a dyno test on the Alco Black Beast today. Here is his analysis and 1-minute video.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Rob Ida: The ALCO American Locomotive Co. “Bete Noir” strapped down on the chassis dyno today.
The giant straight six engine of unknown origin is said to date back to 1911 (replaced after the first Indy 500 race). 11.6 Litre 680 cubic inch engine, four speed transmission, chain drive, 1,400 RPM, dual plug, Bosch magneto and Newcomb Carburetor. 5.25” bore 5” stroke without any timing changes or AF changes the car produced 50HP and 167Ft Lbs Torque at 40 MPH as is at the rear wooden wheels.
Rob Ida Facebook Comments
Brian Cholerton: It's great seeing actual performance numbers from a 110+ year old automobile. She's one loud beast too!
Dick Stokes: Ya gotta love it!
Richard Slim Toonkel: 11.6 Litre!!!
James Spina: This is so exciting! LOVE THE BEAST!
Adam Lindenbaum: That's more than a stock Amphicar
Bud Smith: Please don’t break it Rob. It looks like a Treasure
Chris Henniker: It’s good to see actual figures from a car dating back to before the First World War, but aren’t they a bit low for the time?
Bob Podstawski: An animal!!
James Douglas Ford: very impressive
Howard Kroplick: Rob, thanks for not breaking the Beast. My fastest speed was around 70 mph at the Indy track in 2012. I was thrilled that I survived!
James Spina: Epic Indy Moment!!!
Rob Ida: we didn’t need to hit full speed so we only went into 2nd gear on the dyno.
Bob Bracken: Wow!!
Ryan Tuttle: Best day at work ever.
Thomas Parke: History being made. Oldest car ever dynoed???
Jeff Keysor: no, but maybe the oldest on video shared online.
Thomas J Martin: That’s a whopping .073 HP per Cubic Inch!
Thomas J Martin: This video reminded me I have the 8mm film of the first Indy 500. It’s also up on you tube. Was this car #19 driven by Harry Grant that burned up a bearing in the video?
Howard Kroplick: Yes it was!
Richard Lentinello: When will you be installing the nitrous kit?
Rob Ida: turbo!
Brad Phillips: I got a ride in (on?) that a few years ago- awesome!
Dave Carnevale: et my son take the wheel at a show here in Saratoga during the summer of 2010, definitely made our day
Charles Pivirotto: So cool!
Comments
What an amazing piece of Automotive Heritage! I would love to be at TROG and see it run.
Congratulations Howard, Rob and Bob.
Howard, what’s dripping out near right front wheel in video? looks like water. Actually I was a little disappointed in the torque figure. Of course these are rear wheel figures. Do you think that the wooden wheels might be responsible for some losses( as opposed to steel wheels)? Do you have any ritual for maintaining the wheels? My father had two early model T speedsters and we used to train a water spray on them to keep them from drying out and tight. This of course sounds like “shade tree” mechanic lore.
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Howard Kroplick
Casey, it looks like the Beast overheated during the Dyno with water dripping from the cooling system. This happens when the Beast is not running at speed. Thanks for the suggestion to maintain the wheels. Much appreciated.
I am a friend of Howard, years ago he took me for a ride in the Black Beast on a old section of the Motor Pkwy, in Williston, L I, NY. It was a great ride. I would never push that Old Engine to the limit, its too valuable, and rare!
At the end of the Dyno test, you can see water dripping from the cooling system. It was likely the Beast was overheating at around 200 degrees. This happens when the Beast is not running at speed. I remember overheating at the 2010 Port Jefferson Hill Climb when I was waiting at the start line. It did make a great photo with George Dragone’s FIAT…which also overheated.
Neat. Understand how it needs to be moving forward at speed to keep cool, so I’m guessing that the HP and torque show a lot lower than if there had been a way to keep that big radiator and engine cool enough.