How To Choose A Radiator

[BruceM]

The early era bearing shell problem was not sand related.  We were seeing surface flaking/failure of the upper bearing shell surface in the top load area- not scratching.   Jack Beck (Hotater) documented this, others confirmed it.  Solid upper bearings with the dipper did seem to solve the flaking failure, but that could also have been getting better bearing shells. I remember that Bob (forum owner) was a technical contributor in the move away from the top hole, to the bottom feed via dipper approach. 

While it did depart from the long and established approach of the original CS design, it did solve a problem seen with the Rajkot Listeroids/clones with Rajkot bearings.

[38ac]

Hi Bruce, you were certainly involved with these engines a few years before me. I know very little about the early experiments carried on, just what was posted after I arrived, which was pictures of sand ruined bearings, apologies for any inaccuracies.
 What I do know is Lister changed the upper shell material for the 850RPM  8/1 and all heavy flywheel engines long prior to all of this due to identical spalling failures of the upper shell that you mentioned. India of course despenced with that in the engines sent here and supplied regular babbit shells in everything even to this day. Every heavy wheel and high speed engine that sees my little operation gets bronze backed babbit coated shells.  The same heavy loadings that kill the upper shell in an 8/1 or SOM flywheel engine can be duplicated in a spoke flywheel 5 or 6/1 engine by having the injection timing advanced from the Lister specifications.

[BruceM]

Thank you 38AC, that is very illuminating.  Good to know the full story.  Pity you weren't around then; you could have solved it  for us in a snap.  None of us on the forum at that knew about the very relevant Lister CS bearing material history, just that spalling on upper bearings was happening regularly on Rajkot bearing shells.

Knowledge is a wonderful thing, thank you!
Bruce
 

 

[cujet]

The same heavy loadings that kill the upper shell in an 8/1 or SOM flywheel engine can be duplicated in a spoke flywheel 5 or 6/1 engine by having the injection timing advanced from the Lister specifications.

Correct, injection timing is critical for bearing life.

@ Cujet
 
I recall your very nice builds and frequent participation.
Re the Youtube link..... A really nicely done and well balanced movable system. Didn't you use a helicopter rotor balancing system to smooth it out?
Is it still in operation?
Does that engine use a water pump? Cheers Hugh

Yes, the engine still works great. I need to make a new fuel tank. Thinking of an integral sight glass.
Yes, the setup uses my preferred method of circulation. A brand name "Grundfos" 120V water pump. Generally the style for hot water circulation for home heating.
Yes, I use an ACES helicopter/jet engine balancer to balance the engines. It can also be done "by hand, by feel" if you know how. I put some of the clues in an old thread.

  were you one of the original fella's to make the hollow oil dippers ? I know xyzer was one as well. Was wondering if you have them installed in your engines?   

I do have the XYZer hollow dippers. So far, they are holding up. I did not make my own.