Harry Pickles Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Went to collect a three channel trainer which I had bought on ebay and the chap from whom I bought it gave me this engine. Having messed round with diesels for longer than I can remember I am stumped as to what it is - Anyone out there got any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hall 9 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Should we see a picture? Edited By David Hall 9 on 06/08/2019 16:41:06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex nicol Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Hi Harry Do you have a picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pickles Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 If anyone can explain to me ( simple words please) how to add a picture, I will gladly do so. Not really computer savvy. Engine is a big diesel, fixed compression and looks like it was made pre-war. Sorry to be a Faff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 HERE ( click on the word) you go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Create a photo album here, Press "Upload" an follow instructions. When that's done, click on the camera icon and select the photo you've just uploaded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pickles Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pickles Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 Thanks you chaps - Heres the photos. Harry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 I too have messed with diesels for 50 years. I await education, as I can't even see where any of the usual adjusting gubbins are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Gorham_ Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Looks like a fixed compression diesel. Its a 5cc Owat I think Edited By Alan Gorham_ on 06/08/2019 17:32:33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Agree with Alan, it's an Owat. Edited By PatMc on 06/08/2019 19:03:15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pickles Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 Thanks very much chaps. I've looked up the Owat on t'interweb and mine is definately one of those. made in Bradford - not so far away from here in East Lancs. The old chap gave me enough spares with it to almost build another engine - no needle/soraybar or gudgeon pin though. Anyone out there got the bits I require? Tomorrow I might take the brave pills and try to start it..........Regards. Harry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Gorham_ Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Harry while I would not discourage you from running your engine, I would ask if you are aware that without a moving contra piston that you alter the compression ratio of a fixed compression diesel by either altering prop size or fuel mix or both? Don't go bald headed at it and break a potentially rare and valuable engine! You are unlikely to stumble across spares for your other engine, so don't break this one either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Now,looking closer, I see an intake Venturi, and a needle valve. So how does a fixed compression motor work. Do you adjust the fuel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Ignore last, Alan has answered. Dont know we are born. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff2wings Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 The Owat is a clone of the French Micron,not as well made but a good usable engine in it's time,word of warning do not use modern diesel fuel,use a mix of 75% ether 25 % oil or another recommended mix for the Olwat of 70% ether ,10%oil,20% petrol ,14 "x 8/9" prop for 4,500 rpm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Whitehead 1 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 As it's an old British engine the gudgeon pin might well be a standard imperial diameter. Back in the 1960's I made a gudgeon pin for an Elfin 1.49 from either piano wire or silver steel rod, I can't remember which. I bought the Elfin from the late great and well known in East Lancs Arthur Garnett. It required the replacement gudgeon pin after it returned from a rebore, necessitated by a shaft run when a Frog polystyrene 7x4 burst, and it arrived back from the servicing with a gudgeon pin that was too short. Further to Jeff's fuel suggestion, Ron Moulton's Model Aero Engine Encyclopaedia recommends the same 70% ether/30% oil (redex in his case) along with 1% amyl nitrite - if you can still get that from the village chemists as in days of yore. Maybe the petrol mix will substitute for the amyl nitrite. Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokenenglish Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Harry, here's an Owat running on the bench. Video shot by my wife, without my noticing! There are two types of Owat, a Mk I and a Mk II. The one shown in my video is a Mk I, but yours is a Mk II. They're identifiable by the prop driver. On the Mk I, the prop driver is "flat", and has a square hole that keys onto a square section on the crankshaft (i.e. a dead copy of the Micron). The Mk II prop driver is thicker. It simply has a taper that fits a taper on the crankshaft and depends on being tightened to lock in position. This system isn't as good as the Mk I, but I suppose it must have been cheaper to produce. Also many of the Mk I engines had a red painted crankcase and tank, like mine. I think there were a few green ones as well. I've never seen a painted Mk II and yours looks to be exactly the way it should be. If you like a challenge, it'll be good fun to run on the bench! Edited By brokenenglish on 06/08/2019 21:22:47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxfan Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Oh for the want of Smellyvision. Breathe in! Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxfan Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 I have seen the Owat mentioned often in the On the Wire website in connection with tether cars. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokenenglish Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 A point I forgot to mention. Note that you have a fuel cut-out, intended to be timer operated, on the tank. The little knob towards the rear of the tank is actually a plunger. It can be pulled upwards against an internal spring, and the piece of bent piano wire clicks into a recess on the pin (that goes down through the tank, to the fuel outlet pipe). When the piano wire lever is pulled back by a timer, the plunger is released and blocks the fuel feed orifice in the bottom of the tank. This system is again a dead copy of the Micron. Not very well explained, but just mess around with it, the operation is obvious! A couple of relevant photos. Note that these things can be flown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pickles Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 Wow. Thanks everyone for advice. I didn't expect such a plethora of messages I shall take Alan's advice and not run it. I am not an engine collector as such- just a grumpy seventyodd year old with a selection of Vintage models (big ones like the Taibi Powerhouse which I can see !) I am a Junior 60 man ! Gordon - Arthur Garnett was a friend of mine and had an interesting life in engineering folowed by serious engine and model collecting from which he had suffered all his life. He went at full speed every minute of his life. Even went out in the evening with his wife and ran an 'oldies disco' for senior citizens. He had my Coasby Yoiks ( Nordec 10cc) strung up from the ceiling in his shop - I flew it at Old Warden without silencer and it caused a stir. Does anyone on the forum have the expertise to re-build the other one for which I have most of the bits? What will be the approximate cost and what is my complete one worth? I know people always ask this. At the moment I dont know what I will do with the engine - certainly not put it in a model owing to my age. I shall now make myself a cup of tea and see if I can put pic of the parts on the forumm Sorry to ramble on. Cheers. Harry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Gorham_ Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Harry, I did not say don't run it! I said consider the special requirements of a fixed comp diesel before you try to run it and break it. You have had some good info from brokenenglish who has first-hand experience and if you follow his advice then success should be ensured. There's almost no point in discussing potential value of the engine. If you look on Ebay or a specialist engine dealer like Barton Model Products or wait until November and get a catalogue for the Gildings Model Aero engine auction you may be able to come to a conclusion about a guide price. If you can't find another Owat for sale on any of those places then you can name your own price due to supply and demand. You just need to find someone who is desperate to fill an Owat-shaped gap in their collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pickles Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pickles Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 I shall not attempt to mess around with this engine until I have learnt all about it. I shall listen to you folks who know more than I. In the meantime I have been looking through my stock of plans and found Paul Plecans Simplex - now theres a thought for a project....................................H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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