Anybody recognise this design?

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

Posting this on behalf of a friend in Ireland.  This V Twin, probably compound engine was built by a fellow allegedly to drawings from Model Engineer.  It has now passed onto a new owner who wants to put it into a vehicle of some sort, the builder has lost the drawings however.  The only dimensions I have are cylinder bores of 2” and 2.5”.  This to me seems a little large for model engineer drawings so making an assumption it has been scaled up from a smaller design.

Anyone any ideas or suggestions on what it might be or what it may have been derived from?

Thanks in advance,

Paul.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

More likely designed for a small boat/launch rather than an attempt to model a larger engine. Steam Boat Association would be the place to ask.

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

Jason, that was my first thought on seeing the pictures – that originally it may have been destined for a boat.  However apparently the original builder is sure the drawings came from Model Engineer.  I was an avid reader back in the 70’s when my main interest was miniature road and rail steam but the magazine content seemed to drift away from that and I found often there was very little content that interested me.  I don’t recollect anything like this being published while I was a reader so was hoping someone may recognise it or a smaller version it may have been derived from.

Paul.

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

No reverser, plain crank bearings with a simple drilled oil hole. It looks like it should be a giant wobbler.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The flywheel almost suggests it was for use on land, one of those cobbled together steam “cars” you see running about on the rally field made from bits of old ride on lawnmower. gearbox would negate the need for reverse.

I can’t get anything up by searching the ME index.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

No idea as to design but it will need a fair sized boiler to make it do any work. Good luck. Noel.

[Charles LamontParticipant @charleslamont71117]

I agree, Dave. Wherever the drawings came from, ‘designed’ seems to be stretching it a bit.

[michael mParticipant @michaelm]

No idea if it’s the same model but John Haining designed a compound v-twin in the ME in the early nineties.

Michael

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

“A pair of Vee Engines” vol 167 and 168, I think I have those so will look in the morning.

I looked at Sarik earlier , but they have not got this in a catagory, looks like it is the one

Edit or this one

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

Jason, many thanks, I think you have come up trumps, from what I can see that looks very close.  Thank you very much, I shall pass the info back.

Paul.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I don’t have all the mags but it would seem your engine is the larger of the two built as a compound with bores of 2 1/4″ and 3 1/8″ and a stroke of 3″. It does seem to show reversing valve gear for the larger engine, I’ll look at a few more mags to see what he says but the small one he mentions using a reversing gearbox.

He also details a boiler for it which is 15″ OD x 24″ tall

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Speaking as a mere observer … Those are refreshingly tidy drawings for a magazine page.

MichaelG.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Ah, the good old days Michael ! Jason also reinforces my comment about needing a large boiler. Noel.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

H, and without any print through, they look even better.

Regards Nick.

[John PurdyParticipant @johnpurdy78347]

Paul

Jason beat me to it. I have all the issues if you need them. PM me.

John

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

Jason /  John,  brilliant, many thanks.  I will pass this new info on and see if the mags will be useful or even scans of them.  I shall report back.

Thanks again,

Paul.

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

John,

Sent you a PM (I think!)

Paul.

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