Re: Wistling Billy Replica
Posted by: (---.range81-132.btcentralplus.com)
Date: August 15, 2012 04:02PM
Thanks Mike.
I have sorted most of the steam leaks and the water system is fine. The fuel still looses air pressure -perhaps my tapered tap needs a little attention as I did not even lap it in as it seemed good but it does give a few bubbles with the Fairy liquid. This is my summary so far.
The good parts were
the engine was smooth,
the rear axle seems fine,
the steam generator was sound and very fast firing,
the steering, the chassis and the brakes seem OK
and the burner was vicious when the fuel tank air pressure stayed up.
I have still a leaky engine but am slowly improving that. I do not expect it to be perfect until I have it out in the winter for re-aligning the block and crank case after the 1908 accident damage that the engine had. It runs however very smoothly but the prop-shaft (which always runs with the engine) needs balancing which I will get around to soon. The exhaust beat is lovely!--and the smell of hot steam oil---
The main fire is vicious when the air tank pressure is up and it raises steam in a few seconds! We had everything red hot today when the fuel needle came adrift in the flowmotor (the fuel controller). I think that I will need to make a new fuel needle.
Michael, my youngest son, came over yesterday and we both had a little drive up the yard which is on quite a slope. It easily copes with the hill even on about 200psi when we will be at 800psi. We did see 800psi and almost 1000deg F when the fuel needle came adrift - I hope not to repeat that! The engine remained steaming with the fire off for about half an hour!
Anyway I hope to attach a few pictures. We have had a couple of exciting days!
I am off to The West of England Steam Rally for the weekend at Stihians. Before that I have at the flowmotor needle to sort and a small body problem.
I will add a couple of pictures.
Bob
Attachments:
The fire (s).JPG (82kB)
red hot burner 2 (S).JPG (99kB)
Ready for action.JPG (178kB)