2 little Indians

Right, grr, #2 won't start, and this engine has had nowhere near the amount of use of #1.
I still think it might be fuel related so I'm going to make up a new batch, but this time using diesel instead of paraffin.
I'm also not too happy with the relationship between piston and cylinder. Pictures tomorrow.

Can you spread the piston skirt ? If not may have to make a new one . :evil:

Unless you know precisely what kind of cast iron it is, it's best not to try! Some of the SG (special grade) casts like they use in the mines are absolutely amazing! One of the tests we had to do on machined rings was put them in the press. They had to be pressed to 50% of its original diameter without cracking!
After a week working on my truck (the job should have taken not more than a day!) I'm sort of back in action.
As I said, neither engine will start, I found this with #2


At bottom dead centre the piston is proud of the exhaust port which would indicate an overlong long conrod.
So I checked #1 and found this


You can just see the piston is quite well below the exhaust port at bottom dead centre. A short conrod, or something else?
I'm beginning to wonder if, in the dim and distant past, components from these two engines may have been inadvertently switched!

I would agree with that, a mix up of some sort, barrel, or con rod, "but I don't know much" boz.

Thinking about the piston it could be meehanite which a lot of model pistons were made of..Not sure if that would spread at all. Thought strikes me re con rods/pistons. Just swap the two assys over and check lengths etc again.Could be just a swapover mixup/error.Might also be piston height differences to throw into the equation too.

In the original Mills the pistons were definitely Meehanite.

A quick check shows that Meehanite is the trade name (process) for SG (special grade) cast irons. And there is a licensed supplier in South Africa! I'll be in that area about a month from now. Of course I might not be able to afford any since Jacob Zuma has now captured the treasury and the Rand is set to go down the toilet!

Now you have your computer sorted Mr Klippy. Will you be testing the engines again?
I am hoping to see a happy conclusion to all your hard work.

Del Piero.

one tenor wrote: Thinking about the piston it could be meehanite which a lot of model pistons were made of..Not sure if that would spread at all. Thought strikes me re con rods/pistons. Just swap the two assys over and check lengths etc again.Could be just a swapover mixup/error.Might also be piston height differences to throw into the equation too.

Isn't Meehanite a leaded steel?I am not [badass] :sure

OT
If I remember my Workshop Technology correctly I think you are referring to 'free cutting' mild steel which has lead added to make the swarf break up into little pieces rather than long curls.

Meehanite is a cast iron when the carbon in the structure has been made to coalesce into nodules or flakes leaving the surrounding material nearly pure iron. The result is nearly as strong and ductile as steel but with the excellent wear properties of cast iron.

Klippy
I doubt the piston not completely clearing the exhaust port would in itself prevent the engine from running but if this means the transfer port holes in the cylinder liner are not on the right place relative to the piston at BDC then it most likely would.
Its the 'transfer' part of the two stroke cycle that is the tricky bit.

Mary has been whispering 'finish my kitchen' for a few weeks, then it ramped up to a deafening roar!
The tale of the 2 Indians will finish tomorrow. Then, when they arrive, we will have 2 Atoms to look at, courtesy of John (one tenor)

Q you are right I was mixed up on that Well done sir

Klip One ATOM is ok but is being sent as patterns for the new parts needed on the first one . .All the good one needs is a good soak in thinners to UNGLUE the threads to dismantle it. In the mean time I will order a carb assy to replace the missing one.Only a simple tube and needle type so should be easy to get. Won't be long sending them now.If you will PM me your addy again Thanks OT John

How is the kitchen coming along Mr Klippy?
Time for some engine testing yet?

Del Piero.