Model Engine Maker
Help! => Specific Engine Help => Topic started by: awJCKDup on May 09, 2018, 12:18:05 AM
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Well, in building the Little Demon, even with the prints right at my finger tips, I still managed to goof up. I made the cylinders out of cast iron instead of steel. I wont say how much time I have in them, lets just say too much. So, do I remake cylinders out of steel and use cast iron rings, or can I go ahead and use the cast iron cylinders and use cast iron rings. Suggestions please and thank you in advance.
Thanks
John
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I would think you would be ok John, but PM Steve Huck as it is his design.
Bill
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Cast iron sleeves are ok with cast iron pistons. Just make your pistons with cast iron and you should be fine.
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John, you couldn't do better, cast iron on cast ironis about as good as things get as far as frictionis concerned, this is the only metal that can be run together with it's self, the steel sleaves are the next best.
Ian S C
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Cast iron sleeves are ok with cast iron pistons. Just make your pistons with cast iron and you should be fine.
Why not aluminum pistons with cast iron rings?
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Aluminum will expand more with rising temperature than the cast iron cylinder, so probably not a good idea.
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I guess it depends on weather or not this engine has rings? Aluminum pistons running in cast iron bores are used in pretty much all commercially produced engines running today. Granted the piston needs to properly sized to allow for expansion.
Dave
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Cast iron pistons will certainly work, but they add reciprocating weight. Like Dave said, properly sized aluminum pistons, cast iron rings, and cast iron liners will run very well in our model engines.
Chuck
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I’m with Dave on this one. If you are about mine and Dave’s age, here in the good ol’ US of A, every kid’s dream was a stock cast iron block of whatever brand they aligned themselves with, bored.040” over, a set of Venolia aluminum pistons, and Perfect Circle cast rings: steel rings were just gaining a foothold ( along with, Sig cam, Edelbrock intake, Holley carb, Hooker headers, Mallory ignition, etc.: sorry kinda got teary eyed) . Anyhoo, with the proper clearances, ali pistons, cast rings, and a cast bore will be fine.
Cletus
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Im sure Mr Huck has a reason for his opinion...and I would love to hear it.
....and you know what steamer wants Steve.....8-)
Dave
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Thanks everyone, like several of you I figured cast cylinder, aluminum piston, and cast rings, would work just fine, seems to have been reliable for the small block Chevy for a lot of years, I suppose I'll find out......eventually. I too would appreciate if Steve would expand on his reply, also if any clearance changes from the plans would be needed, if using the cast iron cylinder, aluminum piston and cast iron rings?
Thanks all
John