Your details don't show which side, of which pond, you are. If in the UK, speak to Morris Oils of Shrewsbury, they are most helpful and used by most of the heritage steam fraternity.

I don't think that even a degree or two (but no more) out of 90 will make a noticeable difference at our low revs. The only likely way to tell would be 'chuff' and that is rarely, truly dead on, anyway. Like L.M. I've done motorcycle engine shafts and it's just a question of good technique and plent...

If you want a key-way in the gear, then it's an easy task in a lathe, if you can grind up a simple cutter. Set the gear in the chuck and ensure it is centred (gear teeth have habit of not falling where you might want), then lock the headstock and set the tool to pass through the bore and slowly move...

So, unable to weld, I had to do something, so I got on with a left-over job, the bottom cylinder covers. Cyl Cover (21) (600 x 450).jpg Lots of metal to remove as these are C.I slugs rather than castings, for the same reason as the valve chests (cost and hassle). Cyl Cover (22) (600 x 450).jpg

Progress has been a bit piecemeal. The weld preps are done but as I have to weld in the yard it's been delayed by the weather. The base angles : - Base-Plate (8) (600 x 450).jpg And the main plate : - Base-Plate (11) (600 x 450).jpg Both preps are approx the same size with the one on the angle takin...

Edit : - I cringe at the thought of "truing up" a crankshaft using a soft heavy mallet, but I know plenty of people who've done it, after pressing it together, and ended up with a good and reliable engine. This is nothing new to me, I used to tune Villiers 8 and 9E engines for Go-karts, that pulled...

The most suitable/logical rod length (currently: I'm still thinking) seems to be 2.46:1, giving a rod of 8", but having just looked a Ramon's new crankshafts I notice that the rods do not split (probably fitted with rollers, common on 'strokers'). I was going to use sealed ball-races anyway so perha...

Something keeps ticking in my brain about opposed engine crankshafts. Weren't they set a couple of degrees out of phase for some reason? Compression boost maybe??? It's in there somewhere but refuses to surface. In the 1960s Commer (Rootes Group) had an opposed two-stroke dismal engine that only had...

My contention would be that the only 'issues' would be from something one forgot to allow for. I'm not expecting any problems, but isn't that anticipation one of the big thrills of playing these games, and proving oneself to oneself (and others if they're interested)?

With modern machines poor penetration is generally down to operator incompetence. Poor technique, lack of proper prep, or set-up, and on occasion, trying to go too fast. My main problem these days is lack of practice. welding is definitely one of those skill that needs to be honed (poor eyesight doe...