LMAOÂ
Look at the big picture bob and don't try to box people into divisions. People defect, cross over to the other side!!! Are they traitors? Â
I have been reading here quietly about 12-15 hours a day catching up. I have a huge project in front of me and I don't want to make simple mistakes out of ignorance. I chose this engine, despite all its faults, because other people see room for improvement... And the price is right.
For instance:
I used to trick build small, high performance 2-cycle gasoline engines for racing and high-speed pleasure.... Chain saw motor go-carts, then reed valve modified Vespa's with cut cranks and all the bells and whistles inside the stock case. Go zoooom!!!!
My experience at the home school where hard knocks (literally) are the teacher has shown me that in high performance engines there is rarely too much lubricant applied, or applied correctly. When my machines failed, it was because the lubrication did not match output HP over time, or I used the wrong type of lubricants, or I used the correct type of lubricants the wrong way.
But Listeriod mission critical applications are not about speed and "high" performance.... I am not seeking to boost RPM, horsepower, or output... These applications require long, long, long run times between routine service and the type of failures you _want_ to see are the ones where you were warned weeks beforehand... Growling bearings, rattling linkage, seeping gaskets... Not catastrophic meltdowns and train wrecks (yet due to poor quality in some parts, life happens).
Not long ago as the threads fly, Shipchief identified a critical lubrication issue with his discovery of a dry injector cam in his twin. He stated that under the cover his lobes were bone dry, there was no oil supply, and there was _rust_ present inside a section of the closed cam works.
Don't think for an instant I am not going to look at this critically and carefully (with my best eye) seeking to re-engineer a better solution if I see the same problem. Shipchief made a modification, he drilled holes and plumbed oil to the dry working point. I will likely do the same with my twin as soon as I can. This is a form of re-engineering, correcting a defect or strengthening a weak spot. Once a suitable modification is made, if it proves effective (and Shipchief nailed the best solution imo)... You have less to worry, and if steps like this are taken routinely, you have less failure.
These engines are inexpensive... You can buy 2-3 (or more) for the price of a real high quality small diesel that specs out in every aspect. The balancing factor is that the quality engine will still wear, and eventually wear out, and some of them will still break down (less often of course because the parts are better)... And it will cost a pantload more to fix.
Clean and properly lubricated, and despite minor manufacturing flaws, these engines should basically start up and break in OK. (I know there are lemons which should be excluded, these are the result of major, not minor flaws).. They require a pre-break in checkup and adjustment, they may require service after break in. In the meantime they perform a lot of useful work, and afterwards they will perform a lot more useful work. I may reengineer minor flaws in the production, say shoot oil to a dry cam lobe... But I am not going to redesign engines...
I just make them do whatever it is they are supposed to do, better.
A well designed engine does not need re-designing... A poorly engineered design may need corrective engineering.
Also remember that people get brain storms (or attacks, it is hard to tell them apart sometimes kyradawg
) and they toss out ideas that are basically not practical from a design or engineering standpoint... They may carry out their ideas... People will comment... But people who tightrope walk across big canyons and waterfalls for a hobby rarely lead a large crowd of followers.
P.S. I fell in love with a tugboat engine once at a show... It would make a killer off-grid power supply and I would never need to do more than just idle the durned thing... But I would still need a Listeroid driven air compressor to get it started.