Riser Block (Clausing 8520)

[Terrywerm]

No problem, Bill. I was just curious about your riser block and whether or not you ran into any snags. Guess I'll have to wait and see!

I must admit that I do like the approach you are taking and I believe I may follow in your footsteps when time permits.

 

[Bill Gruby]

I will have to get to it in the next two weeks or so though. When I cut the crankcase pieces I will need the room.

"Billy G"

 

[Splat]

Man, I wish Billy could've posted the final results. Anyone make a riser for their 8520/8525?

 

[Splat]

Anyone?

 

[joeuser01]

Looking for an 8520 riser block myself and reached out to Clausing direct. They dont have any NOS riser blocks, but they did provide me with original shop prints which I'll attach here for posterity.

 

[Splat]

Holy Moses! That's a beautiful thing! Thank you very much for sharing! Will you be making one?

 

[joeuser01]

Holy Moses! That's a beautiful thing! Thank you very much for sharing! Will you be making one?

Though nice to have, it's not likely that I'll follow the factory print for my riser... Its a very complicated casting & I prefer Bill Gruby's design.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Gonna see what kind of thick wall pipe I can find that I can turn down & make work.

 

[joeuser01]

I just scored this pipe section at a local fab shop for a box of donuts!



I'll post updates as this project (slowly) progresses!

 

[joeuser01]

Getting started... The blanks pictured are 8"x1" a36 off-cuts from ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/182422220672

 

[joeuser01]

Final update.. With a lot of help from a frame builder friend of mine, the riser block is in and works great... Miles of head room!

Here are the build photos..

the pins keep everything aligned during final assembly


nice finish here


endcaps done*







again with the pins, aligining the final assembly. This vice is based on the fireball tools vice. Its a nice vice.











all welded up, checking concentricity








makeshift hoist to lift the turret head


My original drawings were off & the top plate pocket was too shallow. This rough casted surface on the bottom of the turret forced us back to the lathe to deepen the pocket by another 3/16"


After everything, I used some hi-temp matte black rustoleum to finish off the OD, & used plenty of way oil on the mating surfaces. As you can see, its working great!