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Some non Burrell messing a-bout's

Some non Burrell messing a-bout's

In an older time, model glow engines use to career around a pond near me, and lots of fun was to be had running model power boats, on the purpose built lake. In this day and age, all has been spoilt by the noise police, and the impact on the Canadian goose, so they are now free to mess the pool up!

As a throw back to the good old days, here is one of my cheapest engines purchased at a car boot sale for £1.50; and successfully ran in a small boat mostly on Sundays.  These were taken after some freeing up of the piston, and a quick test run confirms its a animal 20,000 + rpm using old sport 40 fuel. 

So why? 
Well one of the reasons why I started to make the traction engine was because I had come to the end of messing about with petrol engines, and the fact that IC engines were also banned. An alternative plan was decided upon, making use of the skills and machines I have. It was just a small distraction in (January 2025) to run one or two of the old engines, just for the sake of making a noise and proving they still worked. Also to admire the work involved in the modification of such engines. Below was my KT12ADV Kawasaki 22.6cc Flymo engine, from a big power boat! Engine mounts a water cooled head and homemade carburettor were all designed and made by me.  I even ran it on glow fuel!! with a special adapted plug to use a std glow plug, and ran well.

Where Did it come from ?

Below is one of my late father's engines, this one sadly not even run to my knowledge. He was a prolific builder of E. T. Westbury's engines having made none less that 4 of the designs including:-

  • Kiwi Mk2 -  is a 15cc, OHV 4-stroke single
  • Whippet -   is an elegant 10cc, single cylinder, side valve, 4-stroke petrol engine.
  • Sealion engine  -  was released in 1959, coinciding with the launch of BMC's Mini and the opening of the UK's first motorway, the M1. The Sealion sports a gear driven overhead cam; an expensive performance feature for 1959
  • Wallaby - 360º vertical twin provides a useful 29.0cc of swept displacement.




This one I reassembled from a near box of bits and intend putting in some time to see if I can iron out the running condition with a view to starting it.

Until Next month, stay safe, make swarf and be the best you can be, Happy New year!
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