Because it's quiet..

Old Tom · Because it's quiet..

I thought I'd post this to give you something to look at....

I volunteered to go with the Missus to Hobbycraft yesterday (knowing full well there'd be something I'd see that I'd like) and sitting in a great big stack were these Haynes engine kits:

For £19.99 instead of £29.99 and no glue or paint required, clear instructions and a sound generator that also illuminated the 'spark plugs', I had to give it a go.

It's got to be worth the money for the pure relaxation of just bolting something together without having to decide what colour or when to glue a bit to another bit.

OK, it's not exactly accurate (crankshaft not offset for a start) but I'm going to enjoy building it

Old Tom

Quick update: It's even more fun than I thought....

If you have ever had an old car that you've tried to keep the engine going and spent many cold and frustrating hours outside working on it - look no further than this model to have the same 'fun' with - but the benefit is that you are inside in the warm

.

I built it as per instructions and switched it on.... random sparks from the plugs and extreme low-lift from the cams but (at least) the cylinders going up and down at regular intervals. Sounds familiar? It did to me because I think the engine is based on the Ford 1600 OHC Cross-Flow that used to power my old Cortina Mk2 - and I spent many a happy hour trying to keep that thing running!

So I undid all the screws and took it apart, added some cam followers to the rocker arms, padded out the 'slack' in the timing chain and re-timed it.

It's still not quite right yet, but it's an awful lot better than it was. It might even pass an MOT if I'm lucky...

Just like the old times.

keesie25

Sounds like fun Tom, I know the feeling. Breaking a bike down, rebuilding it, and finally, the kickstart.......that's all you did it for!

ALI-G

Very interesting Tom you have given me an idea for a present for a family member of mine

Does it run on batteries??

Old Tom

ALI-G

Brilliant Tom I have seen a friend of mine who has got some Stirling engines they are impressive

Old Tom

If you do get one Ali, tell whoever you get it for that they'll need to add these plasticard cam followers, otherwise there's hardly any lift on the valves:

And this is it in action (beware, it starts off quietly

)

Spenny

TOM, i think you are confused with your engine's

mk2 cortina's had the kent crossflow 1300/1600 ohv engine

mk3/4 cortina's also had the ohv engine but were mostly fitted with the pinto 1600/2000 ohc

i,m not to sure what engine your kit relates too, still an interesting thing to build and pllay with

ALI-G

I will bear that in mind about the valves

Great video by the way Tom

Old Tom

Mark G

Sounds interesting!! Could teach young people or kids how to rebuild engines and how they work!!