[AJCoholic]

Last April I bought some patterns and old plans for an engine, called the "Lewis Gas Engine". It was originally sold as a casting and plans kit in the early 1930's. Also sold as ao complete engine called the B&B Special. Very rare and an original is worth about $2000 C.

I finally got around to pouring a set of castings, and over the last week, I made an engine (startedlast Tuesday, finished last evening).

It is a typical early style, long stroke, piston ported and tiny intake. The crank and rod are quite frail for the displacement, but this engine turns a 14-4 prop about 3500 rpm, so its not goign to win any races

Just like to share some model engine history and show off my work. On to the next one!

[AJCoholic]

here it is in my hand for scale. Its a 7/8" bore, 1" stroke by the way.

[Big_Mike]

VERY nice work Andrew. What plane are you putting it into?


MCA

[xv-townboy]

that is cool! i'll take one

[AJCoholic]

Dont think I will be flying this one, probably sell it or give it away like the rest I make..

But I do like the Lewis design, and it would be sweet in my 1930's vintage Comet Clipper MKI, an old Carl Goldberg design. I have one I built for the 99' nats that is currently without engine. If I make another, I will modify it a bit for better power (larger ports and intake, bushings on the con rod, beefier crankshaft).

But it is neat to make an engine as the original was. Then you see how far we have come in terms of model engine powerplants!

One of these may have had a lifespan of a few hours, and put out 1/5th or so horsepower. Today, a .61 can produce multiple horsepower and last for 50+ hours of hard running if taken care of.

[Frank Klenk]

Very nice looking. You mentioned it would be a good first engine to build. Remember I've no mill. The simpler the better for me. If I can do it with just the lather then I'll buy a set of castings from ya. By the size of the hang tank it must run for quite a while?

[AJCoholic]

Frank, I thought youpicked up a milling slide for your lathe? If not, you wont be able to perform all the machining without it...

You can do allmost all on the lathe, but you have to cut the bypass and inlet ports inside the head on a mill, and it is very nice to have to drill the sleeve ports, and other precision drilling operations.

Busy Bee sells a vertical slide for 10-12" lathes, check it out. I couldnt do without mine untill I got my vertical miller...