"Old Wood" 3.5 Tunnel Restoration and FE Conversion

Darin Jordan · Dec 11, 2019

Had this "Old Wooden" 3.5 Tunnel sitting around for some time, and I've purged most of my other projects, so I figured I could tinker on this a bit over the coming months to hopefully make it useful again.

Not even sure what it is, but whoever built it did so with a LOT of skill and care. Pretty nice lines, well made, etc.

First step was to sand... and sand... and sand... sand some more... and I still have a little sanding to do.

Going to do some structural upgrades, and then update the layout to support an FE setup. Not for racing, just for fun. It's a TINY boat... 24", so I'm going to set it up for a high-revving 2S setup, which will allow the use of appropriately smaller props and will also keep it light.

Darin Jordan · Dec 11, 2019

Started some structure updating...

Darin Jordan · Dec 11, 2019

Took a break from the sanding to do some machining on the K&B 3.5 Lower for the FE conversion...

LohringMiller · Dec 11, 2019

That's a really nice K&B lower modification. Is it still a double square flex shaft? If so where did you get the parts?

Lohring Miller

Darin Jordan · Dec 11, 2019

LohringMiller said:
That's a really nice K&B lower modification. Is it still a double square flex shaft? If so where did you get the parts?

Lohring Miller

Thanks, Lohring. Only parts I have to source are the flex-cable. Has to be made shorter than a standard K&B. Same cables I used in my modified Lawless 3.5. I have them made by Kris Flynn, but yes, still double-squaredrive.

The brass tubing is how I do my Lawless lowers also, and it's considerably less drag. Have to fit the cable a little. They are made to have a minimal amount of square, to allow the most flex possible, so I trim up the ends a little to allow it to float.

I'll replace the propshaft with a HyperformanceRC 3.5 piece.

Darin Jordan · Dec 12, 2019

Couldn't help myself. No sense in doing this if it's not going to look good!

Polished up the now modified K&B 3.5 lower...

BobSmith1 · Dec 27, 2019

Nice work Darin! I was wondering though, will you be doing any sanding on this hull? Lolol!! ( that was great) The lower motor mounting is the way they should all be in my opinion. Let me know if you want any vinyl cut for it, numbers or name, after your done.

John Solway · Jun 2, 2021

Just threw together a wood tunnel I raced in the 80's, I set it up as a p- limited I love that lower unit mod, getting that cg low is probably going to do wonders on how that old tunnel handles bit here's mine