1837 HMS Gorgon Engine

[RReid]

Thanks Kim.

So, did you Loctite the port plate onto the cylinder rather than silver soldering it?

No, the only parts Loctited into the cylinder are the studs. The port plate in the photo seemed to be happy standing there in its place on the studs, so I left it, but it is a separate part like the chest and cover.

[Kim]

Thanks Kim.

So, did you Loctite the port plate onto the cylinder rather than silver soldering it?

No, the only parts Loctited into the cylinder are the studs. The port plate in the photo seemed to be happy standing there in its place on the studs, so I left it, but it is a separate part like the chest and cover.

Interesting!  So it's just another surface to seal, like the steam chest and the steam chest cover.  Cool.  I've not run into that before.  But why not?  Makes as much sense as the steam chest being a separate part I guess.   

Thanks for the additional explanation for me, Ron. I'll catch up to everybody else eventually! 
Kim

[RReid]

Been busy getting the valve chest attachments and innards made up and installed. Below is the valve rod, with (L - R) the gland (wrong way around on the rod in front), valve nut, and what the plans call a plug, but is also the guide for the tail end of the valve rod. The rod is stainless, and that tail end is only 0.055” diameter. Took a bit of tooth gnashing lathe, file and sandpaper work to get that down to size and smooth.




With those parts done it was time to turn to the valves themselves. First the topside features were cut.


Then the stock was flipped over to cut in the exhaust pockets and separate the two valves from the bar.


I thought the chest covers were a little too plain, so took a light cut around the edges to leave a raised central boss. The edges were polished a bit, while the bosses were left dull. Simple, but I think more interesting to the eye.

[crueby]

Beauty!

[Kim]

Looking good, Ron! 
Don't you love these two-cylinder engines?  Two of everything! 

Kim

[Admiral_dk]

Very nice looking Cylinder assemblies - you should be happy with them     

Following along with interest     

Per

[RReid]

Chris, Kim, and Per - Thanks a bunch!

Don't you love these two-cylinder engines?  Two of everything! 

Right! Doing things twice (or three times with mistakes) is within my comfort zone. Something like a Cosworth V8 with 4 valves/cylinder would probably drive me batty, though I greatly admire those who tackle projects like that. (Hint - there is a Twin Cam Twin beginning to take shape inside my computer).

[RReid]

It seems to be our turn around here to get a share of the stinking hot weather. As I write it is 2:30 in the PM, 107F (42C) outside in the shade, and ~116F (47C) in the garage, with the doors open. As a result, shop productivity is at a low ebb. Still I have been getting some things done.

In the photo is a collection of mostly unfinished parts. Across the top are the makings of the crankshaft and a pair of oil cups for the big ends. Below that are parts that will become the frame columns. One is loosely assembled as an example.

[Kim]

That's a nice set of beautiful parts there, Ron! 

And yeah, either 107 or 116 F is stinking hot!  TOO hot!  Anything over about 75 is really too hot if you ask me!

It only got up to 94F for us up here in the Portland area.  You guys are having it rough right now!

Kim

[RReid]

Thanks Kim! Yeah, 75 sounds good to me. Coastal fog is our friend, and I'll be glad when it comes back.

[RReid]

A lot less hot today, but still hot enough to drive me out of the shop by mid-afternoon.

I decided to go back to the beginning a make the Base Plate for this engine. I cut it out of 16 gauge sheet steel, and just gave it a coat of primer for now. I'm thinking of cutting some scribed basswood I have to make a “deck surface”, but first I have to find where I hid that sheet...

Holes for the stainless columns and cylinder assemblies were located and drilled, so those parts can now be mounted in position.




The Upper Plate was also roughed out, with the holes for the upper end of the columns drilled at the same time as the base plate. The columns still need to be drilled and tapped at the top, so the plate is just resting loose in the photo. The crankshaft lives up there on the upper level. The openings for the connecting rods and eccentric rods to pass through have not been cut in yet.

[RReid]

I decided not to use the steel top plate I showed previously, but opted instead to make one out of aluminum. This allowed me to match the thickness called out on the plans (but scaled to 70%) so I won't have to adjust the length of the conrods as I would with the thinner steel. It's also stiffer, and looks better.


I've also been working on the crankshaft bearing supports that mount to that top plate.




The “studs” are actually SHCS inserted into counterbored holes from underneath and threaded into the lower half of the bearing support.


I've also pieced together the crankshaft and turned up a flywheel. At this point though the crank is not yet fully drilled and pinned.

[crueby]

Really coming together, looking great!   

[Kim]

Wow!  I'll say!  That's really coming together nicely, Ron!   

Kim

[Dave Otto]

Great family shot!
Nice work Ron.

Dave