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Base The next part cast was the baseplate. I needed to modify my larger flask by adding corners because I didn't have enough greensand. The pattern used 3/16 plastic lettering purchased from a plastic model supply site. Swept a compass across the painted surface and estimated the spacing first...

Hi Ray, Pretty hot down here in Florida to be working in the shop that long. Please stay hydrated and keep your salt and potassium levels up. I had to go inside and eat a plate of cucumbers and salt yesterday when my left hand froze up. I had a similar long boring job to do on an Otto Langen...

Thank you for the compliments. I am very appreciative of the interesting build logs and innovative ways that people use to create things. 😁The core print for the yoke was something that never occurred to me. Walking Beam and Support I used 3mm board and 1/4" plywood along with tapered ends of...

Thank you for the tips and discussions. When I first started sand casting I used the tin can rammed up with sand as the pouring sprue as I observed lots of people doing that. I switched over to small pouring basins cut into the top of the cope and use a SS tapered sprue for these pours. The...

Thank you Rich, For the previous post: Just so I get it right.....The part on the right was fed directly from the sprue and the part on the left had a runner? What about making two parts in one casting? I have seen others make small parts on "trees" Would that work on two different geometry...

All of the wooden patterns are completed and I got a free weekend to start casting! Hot and dry weather here in central Florida. The first part I wanted to attempt is the leg so I could practice with sand consistency and the parting line. Unfortunately I ran short of sand using my larger flasks...

Congratulations on the completion of this engine and the promising signs of life. I read in an earlier post that you didn't use rings? My engine only ran decently after disassembly, inspection and replacing the rings. It may be vastly different with propane, but the ignition seemed to work and...

All good ideas and images. I have a plan now. Thank you all very much. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Please expound on the "retracts" and "cement and clamp the mould pieces" together. I think you are saying to cement the flasks together, and not the as cast pieces, right? I love learning about casting things. I...

Thanks Jason. I am going to do a parallel core like you suggest. It would probably shrink and leave low spots if I don't not to mention that my largest crucible may not be enough if I leave it solid. I'm going to attempt a core using a split piece of 1-1/2 PVC pipe as the mold and attempt the...

Thank you Bob and Jason. I liked the look of the raised lip and also have never tried lettering. I'll learn from this model before getting fancier. I generally use scrapwood when making the patterns, but made an exception today and was really pleased with the finish I got turning this part in...

Hello Ray, I really like the updraft carburetor idea along with the fuel hose used as intake runners. Very clean looking four cylinder. Eager to see it fire up soon! 👏👏👏

It is great to receive the useful tips and encouragement. 🙂 thank you Pat. I watched a video by Tubal Cain about the coping down process and will certainly fumble several times on it, but it doesn't cost anything to keep trying with sand and wooden patterns. thank you Jason. The gluing up of...

I thought I would take a break from four stroke engines and build a hot air engine for a quiet change of pace. I had purchased the "Steam and Stirling" book, and I am attempting the lovely Rider Ericsson in 1/4 scale as drawn. This is the largest I can make with my benchtop lathe and mill. The...

Thank you for the encouragement Chuck. Still not able to start by hand, but it does fire rather quickly using a powerdrill. The first set of rings had a very large end gap upon inspection. (well over 0.030") I may have worn them down by not getting all of the diamond lapping compound out, or...

Thank you so much for the reference to an article and for taking the time to make a dimensioned drawing. Very much appreciated. My engine has been very stubborn to get running as I want it to. I think the blow-by and spitting oil was caused by not flushing the diamond grit paste completely and a...

Tear Down and Inspection The engine seems pretty well broken in now and I thought I would try and make it more dependable when starting. I would really like to be able to start it by hand instead of using a drill, but that may be unrealistic with the strange firing order? Here are some items...

Hi Mike, Thank you for the suggestion to make PCV valves. How does one do that in a small scale? Do you use tiny ball bearings or such? The breather "tubes" that I installed are 1/4-32 thread.

Thank you Ghosty, That makes me feel better about all that advance. I remade the water pump impeller using a stouter 1/4 drill rod shaft and tried again. The pump would work for a brief time and then slip the belt again. Open up the pump casing and there would be small bits of raised aluminum. I...

Thank you Jeff, good advice and I will fix the water pump first and try it again, but I think at least one of the rings is cracked or stuck. I can gauge the amount of blowby using a low pressure air test (recycled refrigerator pump/compressor) on each cylinder through the spark plug port. It...

Thank you very much for sharing that. 🙂🙂🙂 Sure enough I had 1000 ohm resistance when checking across the discarded RCEXL boots. I cut them open with a abrasive wheel and salvaged the two resistors. Unsoldered the spark plug ends of may wires and installed them at the brass split sleeve. It...