My Custom Engine Sliders

[greasyxb9s]

OK so while I was sitting in the shop admiring my buell it hit me... I can make engine sliders too...... so I looked on eBay and grabbed some universal delrin frame sliders for $20 (will take a few weeks to get here cause they are coming on the "boat" lol)

Next I went to my scrap bin and grabbed a piece of aluminum plate.... its 3/16" thick so hopefully its strong enough..... I might have to use steel. First I made up a template using the measurements off the left hand side cover..... then the right side cover and made a template out of paper. Marked the holes and then measured 3/8" out from each center punch to create a outline. Then I cut it out with my grinder and a cutoff wheel. Rounded the edges and then drilled the holes.

Now I need some kind of spacer to get it out away from the side covers. I'll have to stop at Lowes tomorrow and see if they have tubing or some kind of 1/4" spacer and I'll have to pull the three bolts to get the measurements for longer ones.

I know I copied 5-0dro a bit on the left side.... but I didn't want to lose the round emblem on the right. So I just moved it back a bit and went off the cam cover. Now both sides are pretty much the same and I get to keep my emblem plate.

 

[stellio78]

Nice, can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[thrstrmech]

[up] good basic design, if it does the job, then it's worth it's weight in gold...are you going to recess the base of the sliders into the plate? (the washer/spacer above the threaded portion) ...pics when you get 'em mounted

 

[greasyxb9s]

Nah I don't think so it will sit flat on the plate ..... and since they are universal I can cut the sliders down too..... it should turn out good.

 

[50dro]

Well done! Good luck finishing up the job™ [up]

 

[greasyxb9s]

OK so I got the spacers..... 3/4" on the right side and 2- 3/4" and 1- 1" on the right.... it was damn close but I think the left side could come out another 1/4" and the right could go in another 1/4" so I'm back out to get longer bolts and different spacers...... but first I'm headed to the flyers game today.... being the boss has its perks.... my welding supplier gave me luxury box seats cause he knows I'm a huge flyers fan...... a tattoo is pretty hard core I guess lol..... more pictures tonight when I get back from the game......

 

[greasyxb9s]

OK so they are done minus the black powder coat. These things turned out great!!!! Cost me a total of $35 with new stainless hardware. I had to get 3" long bolts for all holes the only one that worries me is the left front should be a 3.5" I'm gonna have to go on a bolt hunt.

You can kinda see in the pictures they line up almost perfect with the outside of the frame pucks..... hopefully I never have to use them but I hope they are strong enough to take it.... let me know what you guys think!!!!

 

[rchuff]

Nicely done greasy [up] Let me know if you make more I would buy some.

 

[anrkizm95]

[up]

 

[greasyxb9s]

Hmmmm I could make these pretty easily..... the only problem is waiting on the parts from china.... took all but 3 weeks to get them.

 

[oh9bolt]

[up] Nice!

 

[snrusnak]

I'm actually pretty impressed. They look good.

My only fear is that china steel is not strong...

 

[greasyxb9s]

The only thing from china is the poly sliders the backing plates are aluminum to see if it would work. Idk if I will leave it aluminum. I have a piece of 3/16" a36 steel at work I'm going to use. I still think the weak part will be the bolts holding it. Probably just rip them out of the block if i lay it down.

 

[snrusnak]

Did you use cheap bolts or grade 8 or similar? They shouldn't break if they are the right grade. But I bet that threaded rod on the slider will shear, knowing that it's china steel. Maybe it'd just bend though, which would be fine. Certainly better than nothing.

 

[greasyxb9s]

Bolts in case are American stainless steel and the bolt inside is 10mmx50mm grade 8 American.....

Like I said the only thing from china is the poly slider and all it is is a piece of machines poly that a bolt slides through. I bought all the hardware at the local ace hardware.

 

[snrusnak]

oh so the threaded rod in the picture is not part of the slider? or you replaced it with new hardware? gotcha.

Could consider not using SS as it's weaker. I almost like the slider on the exhaust side better than the 50dro slider(as far as aesthetics from a symmetrical view).

 

[greasyxb9s]

That's why I did this. I wanted to keep my #1 timer cover..... its not symmetrical if you look down from the top. The left side is farther forward then the right.... you can kinda see it here the two little nubs sticking out....

 

[greasyxb9s]

Also the left side sits about a inch inside the frame puck and the left side is almost even with it. So Idk if I want to cut the right side down a little or just leave it go.

 

[Lesley]

I think you may be onto something. The ones that 50-Dro makes will not work on the older XB motor cases. I think his fit the 2006 models and newer.
I've often wondered how they(engine sliders) would perform under stress being that they bolt to the engine cases. BTW instead of the nylon rollers you could use skateboard wheels. After all, in a crash who knows what would be saved anyway, but in a tip over or slow speed crash I bet they'd hold up quite nicely. You should start making a few sets of your design and see if they sell.
good luck

 

[50dro]

The ones that 50-Dro makes will not work on the older XB motor cases.

Not true. We have variations for 03-07 & 08+ but our 03-07 are just different than greasy's

We've had a few folks go down with our case sliders mounted and they've worked very well...

PS - Not trying to make this a his vs. mine thread just setting the story straight on what we offer. Job well done greasy! [up]