simonbirt
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2020
- Messages
- 89
- Reaction score
- 64
I thought I should post an update on the Farm Boy project. I finally found the time to make a base and give the engine a paint job. I have sorted out all the teething troubles, in fact it started first pull after it was reassembled, caught me off guard as I wasn't expecting that.
Following advice on this site I have settled on Colman fuel, which seems to work well and despite dire warnings on the notes from Jerry Howell about carbon build up on the plug I have had no problems. Talking of spark plugs, I am still running on the original plug which was the first of a batch I made; not sure if this design of plug would work in a higher performance engine, as it uses PTFE for an insulator and a brass electrode. I recon that the ignition module, built with information gleaned from this site and the spark plug have had possibly 100 + hours of testing and running the engine.
By far the hardest part of the build was casting the name and builders plate in white metal. The process nearly drove me mad. A friend who used to design dies for injection moulding said that it was very difficult to cast thin items in silicon moulds as they do not retain heat very well. In his view it was way too difficult, good job I did not know that at the time.
Now thinking about the next engine project, I'm building a filing machine at the moment which would have been nice to have when making the flywheels in the Farm Boy. I have a set of plans for Edgar T. Westbury's Seal , which looks like a possible candidate, may have a go at making the camshaft before I order a set of expensive castings. Any thoughts anybody?
Following advice on this site I have settled on Colman fuel, which seems to work well and despite dire warnings on the notes from Jerry Howell about carbon build up on the plug I have had no problems. Talking of spark plugs, I am still running on the original plug which was the first of a batch I made; not sure if this design of plug would work in a higher performance engine, as it uses PTFE for an insulator and a brass electrode. I recon that the ignition module, built with information gleaned from this site and the spark plug have had possibly 100 + hours of testing and running the engine.
By far the hardest part of the build was casting the name and builders plate in white metal. The process nearly drove me mad. A friend who used to design dies for injection moulding said that it was very difficult to cast thin items in silicon moulds as they do not retain heat very well. In his view it was way too difficult, good job I did not know that at the time.
Now thinking about the next engine project, I'm building a filing machine at the moment which would have been nice to have when making the flywheels in the Farm Boy. I have a set of plans for Edgar T. Westbury's Seal , which looks like a possible candidate, may have a go at making the camshaft before I order a set of expensive castings. Any thoughts anybody?
