I could use some advice selecting an engine.

[SiNDeR357]

So this is going to sound kind of crazy but just for fun I wanted to build a powered skateboard. and I have the majority of it figured out except for a power source. I know I could make it electric but that's boring anyone can do that. originally I was planning on using the hydrogen peroxide with a silver mesh catalyst steam turbine that I have been working on but that's gotten to the point ware it requires more math than I want to do at the moment. so I decided to just scale down real things that already exist to increase the possibility of actually finishing. so a slightly modified limited slip differential will provide 4 wheel drive and allow me to turn and a pretty much stock motorcycle transmission will allow me to do other car like function's but I need an engine. Preferably one that resembles a real car engine, I was thinking a volkswagen boxer engine type engine. its a good small air cooled engine that I know pretty well, however I do not know if it cold be made small enough. so if you guys had any ideas I would love to hear them.

thanks

 

[kvom]

Gravity engine - works perfect downhill

 

[Herbiev]

The V twin Hoglet should do the job.

 

[SiNDeR357]

the problem I have with the gravity engine is the compression breaking tends to hurt a lot!

 

[kvom]

the problem I have with the gravity engine is the compression breaking tends to hurt a lot!

Was that "breaking" a misspelling or a Freudian slip?

 

[Longboy]

Lot of 15 yr olds with Weedwacker engines on their skateboards!

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Weedwhacker would be a good choice. Chainsaw would set skateboard land speed record. If you really want to build a whole damned engine, check out this thread.---Brian
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/showthread.php?t=24899

 

[SiNDeR357]

weedwhacker is a goo idea, if nothing else it would be an excellent place to start, then later I could work on making something cooler. I do still like the idea of making a smaller boxer engine, mainly because several of my friends are vw collector's and one even works at a Porsche shop and I know they would get a kick out of it.

 

[Longboy]

OK....time to lay out your background and experience in machining Sinder357! I/C engines can be scaled and you only need fractional HP here.

 

[XD351]

You could also try some of the larger model aeroplane engines some are flat twin etc.

 

[Jasonb]

Just stand on a 1/5th scale RC Model car, that will have your weedwacker motor, clutch, diff, 4WD and brakes.

 

[barnesrickw]

Have two Ryobi weed wackier engines I'm trying to find a suitable project for.