Karl Benz engine 1886

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I really wish the company that makes this would ship to the US. I'd buy a kit in a heartbeat.
I was stationed in Mannheim, Germany and I've seen the one in the museum there. I wish I could even get the plans for it. I can understand enough German (I think) to make one. I contacted the company and they won't sell just the plans. -Sigh.
 
hello
kit motor to be machined 270€
 
I really wish the company that makes this would ship to the US. I'd buy a kit in a heartbeat.
I was stationed in Mannheim, Germany and I've seen the one in the museum there. I wish I could even get the plans for it. I can understand enough German (I think) to make one. I contacted the company and they won't sell just the plans. -Sigh.


They ship to USA. I wrote to them in English and they replied in German. Used the google translator to translate the message. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks once the order is placed to make it ready. I ordered the full kit with accessory package. The cost is Euro 470 shipped to GA, USA. You pay once the kit is ready. The payment is through a direct bank transfer. They don't accept PayPal. The replies were very prompt and courteous. The web page can be viewed in English using the google translator tools.
https://www.ts-modelldampfmaschinen...nungsmotoren/verbrennungsmotor-karl-benz.html
 
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I bought the castings a couple of months ago. I had to wait a while for them as he was out of stock but as you said very courteous and responded promptly to emails.
While I have been reorganising the workshop and waiting for tooling I have checked the drawings and castings. I found are a couple of errors on the plans so far but nothing that would cause major problems in manufacture.
Also if you intend to make an accurate scale model of the car as I do, then these plans show the bevel gears reversed from the engine shown in the videos in post 3 and post 25 which are as per the original. I think this has been done to utilise a standard gear set. In these plans the gear is shown next to the pulley facing away from it. There will be a bit of modding to do to the mounting plate and associated parts or to the bevel gear. I haven't got round to checking these yet. Also the crank should be extended a bit to reach the lower support bearing if putting the engine in a car.
 
OK... I've got a thought. If I were to arrange the purchase of five engines to be shipped to the US, would there be sufficient interest to justify this? I am guessing that the cost would be between $450 and $500 when all is said and done (tariffs, shipping, etc), excluding shipping within the US itself to people interested in the engine.

If there is no interest, then I won't pursue it.

EDIT:
Well, that was fast... Apparently I didn't see the message about them shipping to the US. But, I guess the question changes to... I might be able to reduce the cost of shipping by aggregating the expense across the pond. Or... perhaps it isn't worth the effort. :(
 
Hi, GG89220,
I am writing to you from Sri Lanka.
I had been going through your thread quite a number of times, and got inspired by your excellent workman ship.
Already I have purchased the kit and nearing completion.
I would really appreciate if you could enlighten me on the following:

Does this engine require a petrol vapour (surface) carburetor, along with the carburetor designed for it ?
I realize that this engine has a very low compression ratio. Is it correct and OK ?
Could you please send me some instructions on starting the engine ?

As the supplied documents were in German, I had some difficulty when translating.

Thanks and Regards,
Edward Perera
 
hello
I made the carburetor as on the plan no problem.
compression is sufficient
I start by launching the steering wheel by hand, plug the carburetor with a finger for 1a 2 turns to suck up the petrol.
 

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hello
I made the carburetor as on the plan no problem.
compression is sufficient
I start by launching the steering wheel by hand, plug the carburetor with a finger for 1a 2 turns to suck up the petrol.
Hi,
Thank you very much for your prompt and encouraging reply.
I think that it will be possible to try out starting the engine soon.
In the mean time I will take some pictures and start posting as soon as possible.

Edward.
 
Edward. If you want something nearer to scale I made a more realistic spark plug.
IMG_20200419_182039_1CS.jpg

IMG_20200419_182157_1CS.jpg


The ceramic plug I got from ignition electrode connection M4 L1 35mm 10343 | horecatiger I just ground down the bottom part of the ceramic to 5mm Dia. with a diamond wheel on the dremel. The 4mm thread is screwed onto a 2.5mm thread. The electrode sits well down into the combustion chamber. Just not sure what to use to seal everything when it's bolted in place.

I will be using a surface carb similar to the benz but with my own internal design. A quick general question I have made a float. It is soldered both ends. Obviously the flux can't be removed from the inside. Does anyone see any problems with that or is there a better way to make a float.
IMG_20200419_182229_1CS.jpg
 
Hi,
Thank you very much for your prompt and encouraging reply.
I think that it will be possible to try out starting the engine soon.
In the mean time I will take some pictures and start posting as soon as possible.

Edward.
My first attempt in starting the engine was not very successful, mainly I think due to the incapability of the ignition units used.
The ignition units were meant to be used in my model rc aircraft. The firing was intermittent to nothing at all.
I believe a strong thick spark is essential in this particular engine, that is why I could see a large HT coil illustrated in the TS site.

Please advice.
Edward. If you want something nearer to scale I made a more realistic spark plug.View attachment 115536
View attachment 115537

The ceramic plug I got from ignition electrode connection M4 L1 35mm 10343 | horecatiger I just ground down the bottom part of the ceramic to 5mm Dia. with a diamond wheel on the dremel. The 4mm thread is screwed onto a 2.5mm thread. The electrode sits well down into the combustion chamber. Just not sure what to use to seal everything when it's bolted in place.

I will be using a surface carb similar to the benz but with my own internal design. A quick general question I have made a float. It is soldered both ends. Obviously the flux can't be removed from the inside. Does anyone see any problems with that or is there a better way to make a float. View attachment 115539
 
Your spark plug is very tempting. I will also build one after solving my present problems.
How is the work on the wagon proceeding. I have temporarily stop the work on the wagon due to lack of material, and have to wait till the Lock Down is lifted.
Sorry, I am unable to comment on the floater that you are making at the moment.
When are you going to start your thread on building the wagon?
 
I am struggling to get materials these days so everything has slowed right down. I am making the surface carb just now and when I know it works OK I will start a new thread. You are way further ahead than me with both the engine and the wagon..
 
My first attempt in starting the engine was not very successful, mainly I think due to the incapability of the ignition units used.
The ignition units were meant to be used in my model rc aircraft. The firing was intermittent to nothing at all.
I believe a strong thick spark is essential in this particular engine, that is why I could see a large HT coil illustrated in the TS site.

Please advice.

Hi gg89220,

Good news. I got the engine running. The main problem was in my ignition unit. It was replaced with an automotive ignition coil and the engine ran nicely.
Made a few short runs with butane Gas, and with petrol using a Jan Ridders universal vapour carbeurator. The carb mentioned in plans was not very successful
in today's runs. May be I will try later.

Pictures and a video clip will be posted in the near future.

Thanks very much for your support.

Edward.
 
Hi gg89220,

Good news. I got the engine running. The main problem was in my ignition unit. It was replaced with an automotive ignition coil and the engine ran nicely.
Made a few short runs with butane Gas, and with petrol using a Jan Ridders universal vapour carbeurator. The carb mentioned in plans was not very successful
in today's runs. May be I will try later.

Pictures and a video clip will be posted in the near future.

Thanks very much for your support.

Edward.

I too am looking at making this engine. Any chance of seeing your video of your final product.
Many thanks
Richard in Tasmania
 
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