Skip to main content

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 - 360ยบ 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!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

1" Minnie Traction Engine By Stephen Meredith   Background Working Progress (Gears) Front End Parts Following the completion of a small marine steam engine "Trojan Engine", I decided to tackle a larger project. Having visited various shows and the model engineers Exhibition, I decided to buy the Construction book for building the popular 1" scale 'Minnie' traction engine. The initial workshop experience was limited but keen to learn, and research has enabled me to get it this far. A s can be seen, this is basically finished well almost, it steams, and runs well a few tweaks are needed but tweaks don’t make piles of swarf. The intention was to show the engine and run it, at rallies but what I really wanted was a capable engine that could pull an adult or (me) on a field. This engine was, therefore, a stepping stone to be able to tackle the engine I wanted. After research, I bought a set of drawings for the Plastow 3” Bur...

Welland Steam Show 2024 Report..

  Welland Steam Show 2024 Report..... Welland Steam Show (Upton-upon-Severn July 26th - 28th  2024). Ross-0n-Wye Steam Engine Society 58th Annual Rally. Hotel : Star Inn also responsible for the "Minge" Music festival details below.  The show as usual was well attended. I'm happy to report the numbers looked fantastic and the weather was as good as needed. Maybe we have inspired the next generation of Model Engineers. It certainly looked like there was no shortage of money changing hands for tools.  The show boasted 37 miniatures and 94 full size engines, along with a huge number of commercials, cars, bikes, tanks and military vehicles and displays. This time again, like last year, there was the heavy haulage arena, which was fascinating to watch, as long as you could keep the coal ash out of your eyes :-) I can imagine the rising fuel costs to move large machines, but this has not stopped them from attending this year. Thank you to all the organisers and engine owne...

Midlands Model Engineer Show 2024 - Warwick

 Midlands Model Engineer Show 2024 - Warwick This year’s Model Engineers Show 2024 was a huge success! All four days of the show were fantastic with exhibitors and visitors alike enjoying plenty of opportunities to purchase items, learn and explore the very latest in machinery tools and model engineering. The 2 exhibition halls were abuzz with vibrancy, excitement and anticipation. I went with a usual shopping list, and a few parts that I had organised from suppliers to take to the show for me for collection and postage saving opportunity. I ordered an expansion Link and had it water jet cut this being the results after only minimal cleaning up required. I reamed the holes out and basically park this until the rods are done. Back to the show report. There were some fantastic models on display and also the gas turbine demonstrations running outside along with the traction engines and a few helicopters in the main carpark. Below the pictures I took on the day and a few videos of the ...