Guys,
I have been thinking about building my own block from metal plate. After a few rebuilds of my listeroid I have enough spare parts lying around to build another one
You can easily buy all the parts minus the block for cheap. The blocks are next to impossible to find / source for a reasonable price. Importing new engines is getting harder and harder
I have access to a machine shop with CNC waterjet, plasma and CNC machine
I'm thinking of machining up a simple block which would consist of metal plates around 1/4" or so welded together. It would be more square / rectangular than the original but all the holes, etc would line up and everything would just bolt on.
What do you guys think? has anyone done this before? Am I crazy? Should I start selling it as a DIY weldable kit? lol
If the Indians can do it - why cant we?
It would certainly get more guys into the hobby.. What about flywheels?
John
[/quote]
Thats the spirit!
I appreciate that but I have in house equipment and staff to help out -
I own part of a CNC machine shopI most likely have enough scrap metal laying around to build a prototype
This project (if it even gets off the ground) is for fun and to expand the options available to the community
If / when it comes to drawing up a design - the plan would be to share it so anyone can do it on their own and or modify it
Thanks
John
[/quote]
I own a box full of mixed tools but that doesn't mean I'm any more of a mechanic than you are an engineer of a machinist.
The Indians make clones because they got a hold of original drawings of the Lister engines. Just like the Chinese managed to do.
The problem with clones is that anyone can purchase the patterns used for the castings, then you end up with dozens of back yard type foundry's producing castings.
And there is no quality control on the metallurgy which can range from recycled machine cast down to the lowest grades stove and sewer cast.
When I was a kid we scoffed at merchandise coming into a country made in Japan, we called it Jap Scrap. The Japaneses now make some of the finest quality cars along with a plethora of other export goods.
All produced by ISO certified shops.
The original Lister's and Petter engines are built heavy for a reason, my 15 hp Petter tips the scale well over 500 pounds Date of manufacture mid 1970"s engine probably has 10,000 hours in the clock.
And still runs like a cheap old Timex watch takes a liken and keeps on ticking.
You have a desire to market an unproven package, I suggest you build your engine then put some hard working hours on it.
The S.A.E. ( Society of Automotive Engineers ) sets standards. Before the SAE came into existence engine parts were made by a blacksmith and a dam water pump from the same year and model engine would not interchange.
I view your engine as an orphan.
In the meantime I'm not buying into this BS you peddling.
An Introduction to Engine Testing and Development
This book presents the basic principles required for the testing and development of internal combustion engine power train systems, providing the new automotive engineer with the basic tools required to effectively carry out meaningful tests.
With useful information for graduate students, new test technicians, and established engineers, this book explains the test process - from setting up a dynamo meter test facility to testing for performance and durability. Combustion analysis and emissions, and new test trends are also covered.
Author: Richard D. Atkins
Publisher: SAE International
Specs: Published by SAE International with a Product Code of R-344, ISBN of 978-0-7680-2099-1, and 308 pages in a hardbound binding.