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- Apr 26, 2012
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Elmer's Radial Engine #11 - not to be confused with 'similar' 9 cylinder engines!
It is after much deliberation that I post this finished project of a simple 3 cylinder Elmers Radial Engine, absolutely overshadowed of course by the amazing radial engines we have seen built recently, including mayhugh1s magnificent Hodgeson 9 Cylinder June 2013 Project of the Month. Nonetheless, I do so if only to highlight the different levels of skill and craftsmanship with which we can happily work. Id like to think that I could aspire to complete, or even seriously attempt, a project such as the Hodgeson 9, but in reality this is unlikely. However, whatever we do now, Im sure Im not alone in recalling the thrill of that first wobbler flywheel turning when the air was turned on.
Back to Elmers Radial Engine - this one, like many others is a variant on the original square cylinder block design. Metal Butcher reduced the bore, fitted round cylinder blocks and brought the cylinder head bolts and airway outside the cylinder. Stan Shire neatly cut the cylinder head bolts and airway into the fins of his round cylinder blocks. Lensman 57 built with round cylinder blocks, but with the cylinder head bolts and airway still within the block. This one has external cylinder head bolts and airway pipe, but retains the original cylinder bore.
The engine runs well on as little as 2 psi, but Im not sure that my rotary valve is as effective as it could be at higher pressures. Its one of the most interesting of Elmers engines to build, but given the few visible moving parts it has limited wider appeal - perhaps I should fit a propeller.
This is the 14th of Elmers designs built by Inky Engines, next on the list I think will be his Pumping Engine.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a315G4eEdMY[/ame]
Kind regards
Geoff at Inky Engines
It is after much deliberation that I post this finished project of a simple 3 cylinder Elmers Radial Engine, absolutely overshadowed of course by the amazing radial engines we have seen built recently, including mayhugh1s magnificent Hodgeson 9 Cylinder June 2013 Project of the Month. Nonetheless, I do so if only to highlight the different levels of skill and craftsmanship with which we can happily work. Id like to think that I could aspire to complete, or even seriously attempt, a project such as the Hodgeson 9, but in reality this is unlikely. However, whatever we do now, Im sure Im not alone in recalling the thrill of that first wobbler flywheel turning when the air was turned on.
Back to Elmers Radial Engine - this one, like many others is a variant on the original square cylinder block design. Metal Butcher reduced the bore, fitted round cylinder blocks and brought the cylinder head bolts and airway outside the cylinder. Stan Shire neatly cut the cylinder head bolts and airway into the fins of his round cylinder blocks. Lensman 57 built with round cylinder blocks, but with the cylinder head bolts and airway still within the block. This one has external cylinder head bolts and airway pipe, but retains the original cylinder bore.
The engine runs well on as little as 2 psi, but Im not sure that my rotary valve is as effective as it could be at higher pressures. Its one of the most interesting of Elmers engines to build, but given the few visible moving parts it has limited wider appeal - perhaps I should fit a propeller.
This is the 14th of Elmers designs built by Inky Engines, next on the list I think will be his Pumping Engine.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a315G4eEdMY[/ame]
Kind regards
Geoff at Inky Engines