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As promised, I have given this engine quite a bit of thought. It was obvious it was going to be long and spindly looking. After much thinking and a couple of nightmares, this is what I came up with: Gentleman, meet Funky. A horizontal gasoline beam engine. A few more photos of the engine...

Dave, any chance of making new parts to fit the boring head body? Bill

Try using wax. I use canning wax. It is harder to apply, but does not emulsify and lasts longer. Our moisture problems do not compare to yours, but I have found it is much more effective to adjust the temperature than moisture. That means heat in the winter and air conditioning in the...

Wood gas is manufactured by heating wood in an air tight container. Try this little experiment: Poke a hole (beer can opener, AKA, Church Key) into a tin can. I used an evaporated milk can. Empty the milk and insert a few sticks of wood. Heat the can (propane torch will do) until you see...

What a clever idea. Finally, a good use for the Craftsman 109 lathe!

Well, in that case, if you want to make an engine, it seems the choices are wood gas, steam and hot air. If you want to go for a trifecta, go for the wood gas, which produces charcoal as a byproduct. The charcoal could be used to fire a boiler or a hot air engine. As this is a project aimed...

Are you kidding? Endless (24/7)? wind and your thinking of cutting wood? Bill

I was given a 109 when I was about 14. Dad, an experienced machinist, set it up, turned it on, said "There it is" and walked away. I still have it, more or less complete, but some assembly would certainly be required in order to use it. I made a 20 tpi, left hand thread cross feed screw as a...

I needed to enlarge the bolt hole in a battery cable while it was still on the car. Copper. I selected the proper drill, chucked it up, thinking "This thing is going to grab". It did, peeling a thick hunk of skin off the top of my left thumb knuckle. Just another time that I should have gone...

Speaking of fuels, has anyone tried E85? I know nothing about the stuff, but it is available to me. It seems regular gasoline and Coleman fuel are used, but no talk of other fuels. Bill

Whoa! After a short stint on the old Google Machine, I find the octane rating of Coleman fuel is 50-55. Makes me think that a true CR of 4:1 is about all that stuff can support. Bill

I not sure (not a clue, really) what you mean. Are you saying I should have a go at a higher CR? Anyone know the octane rating of Coleman fuel? Bill

By auxiliary exhaust, I mean ports located at the bottom of the cylinder, as in a 2 stroke engine. That leaves less exhaust to exit the undersized valve. Bill

I don't know either. I'll ask the next time I see him.;) It seems another issue is how well the engine breathes, but the auxiliary exhaust should help that issue. I had been thinking 5:1. 6:1 sounds good. But first, a mock up and a lot more thinking is in order. Bill

Nick, that was going to be my next question. The number that you have expressed makes me wonder. 1:6 Just what does that mean? My interpretation is that compression would be less than atmospheric. I have aways seen compression ratios written just the opposite, or 6:1. Would you write the...

Thanks all, especially Chuck. I was aware that Henry made a long stroke engine, but was unable to find any specs. In general, I understand the comments (sort of) about the power generating ability of the long stroke, but there is one fact that sticks in my mind: The engine I put in the...

I'm looking for a new shop project, leaning toward an I.C. engine. Requirements are that it has to be interesting, slow running and something I can build. Right now, I'm thinking of a long stoke, hit or miss, horizontal engine with 1" bore. By long stroke, I mean than four times the bore...

Seasons Greetings to all. I have recently "completed" building a Sunbeam Alpine. The build was mostly mechanical, installing a 2002 Ford Ranger engine and transmission, Ford 8" rear, Frankenstein brakes, etc. Time to move onto another project. My shop is "full sized". 12" Chinese lathe...