Search found 2219 matches

by Ian S C
Sat May 04, 2019 3:33 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: The new member with first engine
Replies: 18
Views: 34376

Re: The new member with first engine

What is the power piston and cylinder made of, and how far under the hot cap do you put the flame? What is the fly wheel made of?
Ian S C
by Ian S C
Sat May 04, 2019 3:24 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Melvin Engine
Replies: 16
Views: 21019

Re: Melvin Engine

Mmm, your not going to find a cast iron cylinder liner that size are you, unless you find a medium size marine diesel, the bore was a little larger than what I was thinking, I'v got a 5 1/2" liner out in the workshop, and I thought that was fairly large, I was thinking of cutting it in half to ...
by Ian S C
Fri May 03, 2019 3:49 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: oil
Replies: 7
Views: 14400

Re: oil

Every now and then I spray a little brake cleaner fluid down the cylinder, and wash the oil, and any gummy deposits out. The main thing I try for is minimum oil.
Ian S C
by Ian S C
Thu May 02, 2019 2:33 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: oil
Replies: 7
Views: 14400

Re: oil

Don't use WD-40, that and similar stuff is OK when first put on, but when the lighter liquids evaporate it leaves a thin film (this is what protects the metal from rust), maybe you'll get away with this a couple of times, then the build up just stops every thing until you strip the motor and clean i...
by Ian S C
Wed Apr 24, 2019 3:45 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Square pistons/cylinders
Replies: 9
Views: 15004

Re: Square pistons/cylinders

With the L shape ALPHA, what you loose to dead space you gain on less mechanical parts, although with the ALPHA motor there is less friction on the pistons as there is virtually no side movement with the con rods not moving side to side as they do with a crank. I changed the bell crank guide to a ca...
by Ian S C
Tue Apr 23, 2019 3:28 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Melvin Engine
Replies: 16
Views: 21019

Re: Melvin Engine

What is the bore of the power cylinder? I was wondering If a friendly scrap yard, or engine rebuilder might have a worn cylinder sleave the right size, I think you might find the bored aluminium cylinder difficult to get smooth enough, it really wants to be well polished. Even a bit of thick walled ...
by Ian S C
Sat Apr 20, 2019 3:58 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Melvin Engine
Replies: 16
Views: 21019

Re: Melvin Engine

True, I could only find information for PTFE on steel and PTFE on PTFE, both 0.04, no mention of aluminium. Andy Ross in his book "Making Stirling Engines",(free down load), uses a Teflon resin paint called Xylan on aluminium alloy pistons, this stuff is applied professionally and baked on...
by Ian S C
Fri Apr 19, 2019 3:55 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Melvin Engine
Replies: 16
Views: 21019

Re: Melvin Engine

I'm still a bit worried about the aluminium power cylinder, I would like it better with a steel liner, aluminium is horrible for galling regardless of what it is running against, anodized, yes it's OK, hard chromed OK.
Ian S C
by Ian S C
Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:57 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Melvin Engine
Replies: 16
Views: 21019

Re: Melvin Engine

The piston is cast iron with no rings, piston rings are the death of Stirling Engines. The cylinder is made of mild steel(a bit of scrap), the hot end is made from a stainless steel kitchen container. The crankshaft has two throws, the long one for the displacer is 7/8", and the power crank 5/8...
by Ian S C
Sat Apr 13, 2019 4:21 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Melvin Engine
Replies: 16
Views: 21019

Re: Melvin Engine

60,000 hrs is a long time, I would imagine that at the end of that, it would end up in the scrap metal yard, by that time I would hope for an upgrade to an improved motor. One of the most important parts of a Stirling Engine is the cooling system, that was one thing about automotive use, the big rad...
by Ian S C
Fri Apr 12, 2019 3:14 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Melvin Engine
Replies: 16
Views: 21019

Re: Melvin Engine

I don't know where you are ? USA, have a look for a stainless steel kitchen bench, maybe some dumpster diving needed here, or some recycling place, another source would be a stainless fridge, or other kitchen ware like a microwave oven. You would of course need a bit of welding with a TIG welder. My...
by Ian S C
Thu Apr 11, 2019 3:47 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Melvin Engine
Replies: 16
Views: 21019

Re: Melvin Engine

Looks interesting. I would change the hot end for stainless steel, mild steel after a while gets corroded inside, and after a while will droop possibly fouling the displacer. Stainless is the best for the displacer too as it has a higher resistance to heat conduction, and can generally be made light...
by Ian S C
Mon Apr 01, 2019 2:05 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Stirling engine won't run
Replies: 10
Views: 14528

Re: Stirling engine won't run

Pretty cool when the wheels start turning on something you built your self. Try a heavier flywheel, you might get a bit more power, on my tin can motor I used 4 old CDs.
Ian S C
by Ian S C
Sat Mar 30, 2019 1:35 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Square pistons/cylinders
Replies: 9
Views: 15004

Re: Square pistons/cylinders

There is always the possibility of using a block of graphite as the piston. Over all an interesting project. A similar motor I have read of was a rotary engine in which the cylinders and crankcase rotate(as in the rotary aircraft engines of WW1), I imagine your motor as horizontal with the crankshaf...
by Ian S C
Sat Mar 30, 2019 1:23 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: My stirling engine school project
Replies: 28
Views: 30563

Re: My stirling engine school project

Looks a nice compact design.
Ian S C