Building a Bonzer Bonzer

[Brian Rupnow]

Congratulations, Philjoe. I knew you would get it, I'm glad the carb worked for you. The next big step will be to get the governor mechanism working.---Brian

 

[GailInNM]

In my book that counts as a completed and well done project Phil.
Glad I could help, even if just a little bit. You did all the work.
Anything else you do now is just for pretty and showboating.
th_wav
Gail in NM

 

[AussieJimG]

Bloody beauty!!!

I am on my way - out of here next Saturday and I can't wait to see the engine and to share a glass or two of congratulatory fluid with you.

Good Onya Mate

Jim

 

[Philjoe5]

Thanks Guys, you've all been very helpful. Jim - 2 weeks for the "toast to the Bonzer", can't wait.

Also a thanks goes out to Gus the Fisherman who inspired me to make my own gears. Once you make a set, you must make an engine to stick 'em on;D

Cheers,
Phil

 

[Generatorgus]

Way to go Phil, I was cheering for you. It's a good feeling when IT finally happens.

GUS

 

[ozzie46]

Nice going Phil. Your tenacity in getting this to run is an inspiration. Well done!

Ron

 

[Philjoe5]

Thanks Gus and Ron for looking in, offering support and advice. One of my goals in building this (or any) engine is to get an up front and close look at how all the parts work together and understand the interactions between all the variables like valve or ignition timing etc.

So having reached that goal next will be to make a carb, and get the hit-n-miss governor installed.

Cheers,
Phil

 

[Philjoe5]

I was getting some consistent engine running with Brian’s carby and generally the engine would run at a fast idle for up to 2 minutes before I shut it down to cool off. I was so thrilled at this performance I’d do this 4- 5 times a day. Then a day before AussieJimG and his wife came to visit, I had trouble getting it to run for more than 10 – 15 second bursts??

On the morning Jim was going to leave we got a respectable run, but it still ran itself out. After he left I fiddled with the spark plug and timing and got it to going for a few 2 minute runs. The next day I noticed one of the crankshaft pins had gotten thrown clear during one of the occasional very fast speedups that I experienced. No damage was done so I removed the crankshaft, replaced the pin, reassembled, set the valve and ignition timing and got it going again for a few runs. Then it had one of these mysterious overspeeds (it really races) whereupon I immediately shut it down. Lo and behold, now I’ve thrown a different pin out. Disassemble, repair, reassemble and reset timing.

Now for 2 days I’m trying everything to get a single pop and nada! Compression is good, intake is sucking big time, spark is there (but weak). Finally I decide to take my generator (tractor type) battery and hook it up. Instant success, sort of, it runs but only for short bursts. Do not ever buy a battery that looks like this – I went through 3 of them and they are crap



Fellow HMEM member, ArtK, who’s in the area came for a visit. I was hopeful we’d get a good run in. Meanwhile, through all of this I’m making Brian’s carb just because I can.

Well today ArtK came by and we had a great visit. He ran his Upshur Vertical in the basement, which immediately set off the smoke alarm, despite the open hatch door. Art’s engine is a fine piece of craftsmanship and it really screams when he opens it up.



and a short video

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxGp9zQaPco&feature=youtu.be[/ame]

All we could manage on the Bonzer was some short runs. After Art left I played with the timing and I got it back to a good solid 2 minute run before I had to shut it down.

So here’s where I’m at.

I’ll satisfy myself over the next few days that I have a good runner. Then I’ll install the water tank and put some miles on it. While I’m doing this I’ll test my carburetor as well as a modified Jan Ridders. Only then, will I move on to the next step of building the hit-n-miss mechanism.

Cheers,
Phil

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Thanks for the update.---Brian

 

[AussieJimG]

Sounds like it has a mind of its own and is unpredictable. Could it be a female Bonzer?

Jim

 

[Philjoe5]

Could it be a female Bonzer

Jim,
Absolutely. Sometimes she cooperates and at other times, for reasons unknown, she doesn't. And it seems that she defies logic, especially when I have visitors over to admire her.:hDe:

Cheers,
Phil