Author Topic: Identification of Diesel Engines (Read 4171 times)

Robert Zambelli · « **on:** July 08, 2008, 08:49:06 PM »

I hope someone can help me out here.

I recently came across a huge accumulation of Diesel (compression ignition) engines that I'm trying to identify.

They range in size from what looks like around .049 to maybe .29 or thereabouts. At least 75 examples without any identifying marks at all.

Many are sideport with small attached tanks while a substantial number are more conventional front or rear rotor.

I have no clue as to their age, brand or country of origin.

Do any of you have suggestions or expertise that may help out? A publication perhaps?

For recordkeeping, I plan to photograph them in the very near future.

They will be donated to the Brodak museum and of course I wish to locate and describe them properly.

Thanks for any help,

Bob Z.

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:34:09 PM »

maybe try MECOA - they have a ton of info

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2008, 05:03:56 AM »

Bob;

Email Tim Dannels. He will be able to tell you if there is any publications. He is editor of the Engine Collectors Journal. ecj@chaffee.net

"Billy G"

Michael Boucher · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2008, 08:48:55 AM »

Hi Robert, Could you post a few pictures of them. Maybe someone would be able to help.

Neville Legg · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2008, 02:45:40 PM »

There is a great book called " The pictorial A-Z of vintage and classic model airplane engines" By Mike Clanford
You might get a copy on Ebay?

Cheers Neville

Robert Zambelli · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2008, 05:03:04 PM »

Michael - good idea. Here are some of them. I estimate around 50 more.

There are also a bunch of unknown spark engines that I have to sort through.

Bob Z.

Garf · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2008, 10:00:03 PM »

Lets see:

Garf · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2008, 10:06:25 PM »

I have over 700 pics of sparkers.

Robert Zambelli · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2008, 05:58:33 AM »

THANKS to all who have offered help and advice - it will really contribute to this rather monumental effort.

I will get a copy of Mr Clansford's book as well as contacting Tim Daniels.

As I spend more and more time sorting through the huge accumulation of engines, I envision a really stunning display for the museum.

My goal is to have the biggest public display possible, consisting of well over 1500 examples.

At this point, we have well over 200 different brands and still unpacking.
There are examples from South America to Canada as well as just about every European and ex-Communist block country.
Also reperesented is Norway and the Isle of Man.

Bob Z.

James Lee · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2008, 08:00:29 AM »

Bob
Another resource is Jim Dunkin's book which covers 2.5 cc (0.15 cu in) motors very completely. It would have a lot of the foreign diesels listed.
Jim

Michael Boucher · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2008, 10:25:50 AM »

Beautiful collection, possible Oliver Tiger in the 4th photo on the left . The others have been id correctly so far. You have a few Mills in the 3rd photo, .75's and 1.3's......

Neville Legg · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2008, 07:36:26 AM »

Thats not an oliver tiger, thats a Rivers Silver arrow, or Silver streak!! More rare than an Olli!!

Cheers Neville

Garf · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2008, 09:06:24 AM »

What might this be?

George · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2008, 11:58:13 AM »

Quote from: Neville Legg on July 12, 2008, 07:36:26 AM

Thats not an oliver tiger, thats a Rivers Silver arrow, or Silver streak!! More rare than an Olli!!

Cheers Neville

Here's my Silver Streak for comparison. Don't have a Silver Arrow, sorry.

George

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2008, 12:16:45 PM »

Bob; In the 3rd picture the engine at the top left is a Bunch diesel and is fairly rare. I had one that I traded to Randy Ryan. Mine was short the contra piston and adj. screw, but Randy's dad had a complete one that he coppied the parts from.

rustler · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2008, 02:49:02 PM »

Quote from: Garf on July 12, 2008, 09:06:24 AM

What might this be?

Unfortunately my new all singing all dancing Dell computer with Vista will not enlarge the pics like my old computer, but as best I can tell it looks like a Mk.2 Oliver Tiger Cub?

Neville Legg · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2008, 05:03:43 PM »

Yes I agree! looks like an Oliver Cub, nice engine!

Cheers Neville

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2008, 05:11:04 PM »

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=9912.0;attach=31705;image

This pair of geared twins appear to be EmBee's, maybe prototypes....or not.

Steve

PS: The Rivers is a 2.5. The 3.5 has a different gusset on the venturi, and generally is a bigger case casting. The cranks are weak, otherwise nice engines.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2008, 05:51:19 PM »

This one looks like an Alg X3, a Hungarian 1.5cc...but it's been a long time since I saw one. Looong time! It might also be a DC or other British brand. I think the Alg had a plastic backplate and no spring starter, so it's probably British.

The ones I'm curious about, in the same pic, appear to be from the same maker/designer...no idea who, but a bit of Dooling 'fluence...two engines in cropped photo, one at 11 o'clock, and the other at 5 o'clock. I don't think they're Barbini's, or Taipans. Maybe early MVVS, but don't quote me on that. Any markings would be interesting.
Ciao, Steve

Neville Legg · « **Reply #19 on:** July 13, 2008, 08:18:37 AM »

I have to admit that the red-head motor looks very British, as you say possibly a Davis Charlton, maybe its a prototype again? Any Idea what capacity it is? .5, .75, 1.5 etc?

Your Rivers looks rather nice George, always wanted one of those in the '60s. How long have you had it?

Cheers Neville

George · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2008, 10:57:52 AM »

Quote from: Neville Legg on July 13, 2008, 08:18:37 AM

...Your Rivers looks rather nice George, always wanted one of those in the '60s. How long have you had it?

Cheers Neville

I bought it new in ~1960. It runs well and has tapered roller bearings, but is a bit heavy. It only has about an hour or so of running on it...mostly in a way nose heavy Flite Streak Jr.

George

Neville Legg · « **Reply #21 on:** July 15, 2008, 01:27:23 AM »

I found a test report on the the Rivers in an old Aeromodeller, or was it Model Aircraft mag a few years back, they said in that article that it was on the heavy side, but was very powerful! Did you buy it in England?

Cheers Neville

George · « **Reply #22 on:** July 17, 2008, 09:41:27 AM »

Quote from: Neville Legg on July 15, 2008, 01:27:23 AM

I found a test report on the the Rivers in an old Aeromodeller, or was it Model Aircraft mag a few years back, they said in that article that it was on the heavy side, but was very powerful! Did you buy it in England?

Cheers Neville

No. Got it from my LHS at the time (Joyner's Bike Shop in Lexington, KY). They got foreign engines through World Engines in Ohio. Unfortunately, neither is around anymore.

George

Michael Boucher · « **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2008, 05:40:45 PM »

Great collection, like reading folks thoughts on these old diesels

Neville Legg · « **Reply #24 on:** July 18, 2008, 12:29:18 PM »

I have a collection of old Diesel engines too, one in particular seems to be rather rare! Its a Miles 8cc diesel, whats that, about .49cu.in?? I believe from the small amount of info. that I've found about this engine, that only 20 were ever made, and that was back in 1954. If you know what an ED 246 Mk2 racer looks like, well, this motor is identical only about 2 1/2 times the size. It swings a 15" prop with no trouble, if it wasn't so heavy it would make a good stunt motor in a big model. It would also need 2 mufflers which would add more weight! When I got this motor it was in a huge multi radio model, with some home made radio gear in, all probably made in the '50s. Along with about 5 or 6 other vintage engines and lots of modelling odds and sods from that era, all of the above was heading for the local dump!!! Until I rescued it. I wonder where the other 19 Miles diesels ended up?? I know Basil Miles designed most of the ED range of engines, and you can still get a Miles 5cc diesel from my local model shop ( I think he only has a couple left, at a sky high price!!) But does anyone out there have any more info on the big diesels he built?

Cheers Neville

dennis lipsett · « **Reply #25 on:** July 18, 2008, 01:03:12 PM »

Quote from: Neville Legg on July 13, 2008, 08:18:37 AM

I have to admit that the red-head motor looks very British, as you say possibly a Davis Charlton, maybe its a prototype again? Any Idea what capacity it is? .5, .75, 1.5 etc?

Your Rivers looks rather nice George, always wanted one of those in the '60s. How long have you had it?

Cheers Neville

The red head is a FROG 2.5cc BB. I have the silver head version. Nice motors but the cranks are prone to break.
Dennis

Neville Legg · « **Reply #26 on:** July 19, 2008, 02:02:08 AM »

Quote from: dennis lipsett on July 18, 2008, 01:03:12 PM

The red head is a FROG 2.5cc BB. I have the silver head version. Nice motors but the cranks are prone to break.
Dennis

Dennis, I don't think thats a Frog 249 I have two, one red one silver. The frog has a square intake and a cast alloy top on the cylinder head. That motor only looks to be about 1cc at most! hence the spring start. If I can take a photo of the Frog 249 I'll put it on here.

Cheers Neville

George · « **Reply #27 on:** July 19, 2008, 07:50:58 AM »

Are these the Frogs you are referring to?

George

Garf · « **Reply #28 on:** July 19, 2008, 08:52:52 AM »

Frogs?

Neville Legg · « **Reply #29 on:** July 19, 2008, 09:46:26 AM »

I see you have the two versions George, the thickness of the cylinder head gives it away. I'm surprised that there are so many old British diesels still kicking around in the US. Great stuff !

P.S. Did the Frog 500 make it to the US? And I suppose you all know what FROG stands For ?

Cheers Neville

john e. holliday · « **Reply #30 on:** July 20, 2008, 07:51:02 AM »

Supposedly it stood for the following: "Flies right off ground". At least that is what the site said I went to. DOC Holliday

Neville Legg · « **Reply #31 on:** July 20, 2008, 11:10:06 AM »

Thats right, back in the '30s FROG made an RTF rubber powered model called the Intercepter, it had a pressed aluminium fuselage and paper wings and a gearbox no less! But it didn't fly right of the ground!! I have one still in its box, and you can see why they didn't fly well, too small and too heavy, but a nice collectors item. They sell for a fortune on ebay!

Cheers Neville

George · « **Reply #32 on:** July 20, 2008, 03:02:26 PM »

Quote from: Garf on July 19, 2008, 08:52:52 AM

Frogs?

Now we're hoppin' !!

I have an old and abused Vibramatic 1.49, still runs well though. Had the 3.5 (.21) back in 1960 but mine had a gray finish on it. Sold it to a friend when I went into the Navy. That was a nice running engine too.

George

Edit: Oops! I think we are hijacking Bob's thread...Sorry Bob. Did you get enough info to identify the rest of your diesels?

Neville Legg · « **Reply #33 on:** July 22, 2008, 10:17:35 AM »

I would still like to know the name of some of those motors! The red-head is still a mystery to me!

Cheers Neville