Horizontal Air Cooled Engine

[rdfeil]

Brian I am always amazed at the work you do. The design and the speed of your builds are incredible! This little engine is a work of art. I am waiting for each progress post and the final running example. Keep having fun so we can enjoy it with you!!

[brian Rupnow]

Thank You rdfeil--I am glad that you enjoy my builds. I don't hear much from people on the forums anymore, so I am always happy when somebody takes the time to say Hi or leave a comment.---Brian

[brian Rupnow]

The engine is completely assembled except for the cylinder head. Everything has a coat of 10w 30 lubricating oil, and the rod cap bolts are snugged up. It is currently out on my workbench being "ran in" at about 450 rpm driven by my electric motor via v-belt. Every 10 minutes I will go out and snug up the con rod bolts a little more. I will let it run for about half an hour and by the end of that time the rod bolts will be fully tightened.

[J Tiers]

Brian I am always amazed at the work you do. The design and the speed of your builds are incredible! This little engine is a work of art. I am waiting for each progress post and the final running example. Keep having fun so we can enjoy it with you!!

I definitely agree with this.^^^^^^^

I find I can do that every once in a while, just work until done, but in general, I don't do it (I won't say I "can't", but I don't). You do it every time!

And, short design time, quick build, with generally great results. It seems to take me longer to design, and then I feel "somewhat done", i.e. i seem to expend my "make it" energy in the "design" stage, so unless it is something I need now, the start of machining is put off.

[Dan Dubeau]

Thank You rdfeil--I am glad that you enjoy my builds. I don't hear much from people on the forums anymore, so I am always happy when somebody takes the time to say Hi or leave a comment.---Brian

I enjoy watching your builds as well Brian, though I don't always comment. Not much to say, but to sit back and watch an engine take shape. Forums like this have really died off the last few years I've noticed. Not as much participation from the older crowd due to a variety of reasons, and the younger crowd seems to gravitate more towards youtube Facebook and Instagram. Not sure if the lure of monetization is drawing them, or just it's just a more preferred communication platform. Personally I prefer forums and youtube, And only really post here now, and PM once in a while.

If I get caught up on a few more projects I'd like to build one of your engines. I never thought I'd say that, as I've never really had an interest in model engines before, but I think My Dad would love to build one with me. It'll be a winter project, just not going to say which winter lol.

[brian Rupnow]

Dan--I've noticed quite a distinct drop in people posting on all three forums I post on. When I started posting about 12 or thirteen years ago, there was a lot more reaction to what I posted, and a lot of that was from people in their 70's. Most of those folks are gone now, and they're not really being replaced. Sometimes I think I post too much and people are just tired of it. Sometimes I think that now that I sell my plans people are angry about it and so don't comment. I enjoy my builds, and if someone asks legitimate questions I do try to answer them. There are a couple of people on each forum who try and argue just for the sake of argument, and I've quit responding to them.---Brian

[Toolguy]

Hi Brian- I follow all your builds. I'm busy with other stuff, so probably won't build engines myself, but enjoy riding along on yours. I don't comment much, but put likes on there to let you know someone is interested. I think you do great work. Your projects move along quickly, I think that keeps people engaged and looking to see what happens next. It seems like selling the plans makes it possible for other people to do something they might otherwise not be able to. I think it's a good idea.
All the Best. Keep on keepin' on.

[Ringo]

Brian, I enjoy your posts and your work. Well done

[Willy]

Still lots of us following your builds Brian, almost 2,000 views in a little over two weeks for this build alone so do not despair.
Most of us are sitting on the bleachers cheering on your prolific enthusiasm and hair straight back approach while comfortably contemplating the fuzz in our navel.

[brian Rupnow]

And here we have one more step in the evolution of an engine. This video was made after the engine was "ran in" for about half an hour, and the rod bolts were progressively tightened after each ten minutes of running in until they were cinched down tight and everything ran freely with no binding. There are no rings on the piston yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HcudYlK3fA

[fjk]

... I don't hear much from people on the forums anymore, so I am always happy when somebody takes the time to say Hi or leave a comment.---Brian

i, too, enjoy watching your builds and am amazed at the quality and speed … I don’t post anything because my contributions would be limited to “!” Which would not do much other than lowering the otherwise high tone of the conversations around your build

so

!

frank

[Jon Heron]

I agree with fjk, I watch all your builds but seldom comment as I would be just cluttering up your build threads!
I often come here solely to see what your building and what the progress is...
I would love to stop by and see some of these things in person too! I drive through Barrie every week on my way to the cottage and often wonder where your at. Maybe some day after the pandemic is over eh?
All the best Brian,
Jon

[brian Rupnow]

Jon---You would be welcome to stop by anytime. I've had both Covid vaccine shots and am scheduled for a booster sometime in December. I know the area near your cottage, as my mother in law had a good friend who lived on the river about 5 miles up from the Big Chute.--I've sent you a private message---Brian

[PStechPaul]

I usually follow your engine builds, but honestly I have little interest in "yet another ICE" that does little more than look pretty and idle nicely. I would be more interested in different designs with electronic ignition and computer controlled timing and mixture control. I would also probably use a timing chain (or belt) on sprockets, with an idler to take up slack (and perhaps even to fine tune the timing). I don't mean to diminish your accomplishments and craftsmanship, which are superb, but it seems like you are in a hurry to finish this build and perhaps not taking the time to pause along the way to enjoy the process, rather than just getting it finished.

This is a very nice looking engine, but I would be content to simply admire the 3-D renderings.

[Richard P Wilson]

I admire what Brian does, and the speed at which he does it! Computer controlled timing and mixture- please no! It would ruin the image of his engines.