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Project Centaur

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redhouseluv:
Hi all

I would like to learn about ICE engines, specifically, carburation, ignition, timing, fuels and bought this old Westbury Centaur from an auction last year. It is not the prettiest engine, the flywheel and base are incorrect and she needs a lick of paint, but if I can get her going and learn about the items listed I have promised her a makeover.

I have bought a few bits and need some advice on some other bits which are missing before I can start; I am a little nervous of using fuels, electricity and sparks.

Ignition system
- I have sourced this from Minimag who advised on what I needed (see pic)
- I have been informed the Spark plug it came with is incorrect and have a smaller one
- I need to get the ignition to fire at TDC?
- You can get a nasty jolt from the ignition circuit?

Cooling system
- I need to rig up some sort of water supply to the jacket?
- Water goes in at the top and out of the bottom?
- These shouldn't be run without water as they will overheat quite quickly?

Fuel system
- I should use Colemans fuel I believe, but what sort?
- I was thinking about buying a RC airplane fuel tank (see pic).
- What sort of fuel line do I need to connect to the carb?
- Do I need to mix oil in with the fuel, if so what oil and how much?

Ventilation
- I assume that once fired up these give off some nasties, so should not to be run for a long time in a unventilated area

As you can see there's lots for me to understand and buy before I can make a start on this project, but I'm excited by the thought of seeing my first ICE engine come to life! I have other ICE engines in the 'backlog' so getting this going is a critical 1st step.

As always your knowledge and experience on all matters gratefully received  :)

Jasonb:
Looks like the spark plug screws in so you could use that, just nee dto check th einternal length, out side does not really matter

Yes you can get a belt from the ignition.

Cool water goes in THE BOTTOM from the bottom of a cooling tank, warms and rises OUT THE TOP of teh engine and into the top of the tank.

Can be run for short periods without and water

Coleman fuel like this https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15893237/coleman-liquid-fuel-1-litre-15893237

I tend to use a R/C type plastic tank for testing but if you are going to put it on a base then something metal looks better. Original used the base as the tank.

Colemans seems OK with RC silicon tube though I would not leave any in the tubes long term but if you go with petrol then use Tygon (yellow) tube

I don't add oil but a drip or two of 2-stroke oil can be added but not a smuch a syou would use for a weed wacker or chainsaw

Open the shed door and windows

Would need to check if the carb is built for gas or liquid as I think there were options for both

Did you get the build article or drawings with it?

Bear:
Nice find on the engine. Best wishes on your rebuild.

redhouseluv:
Thanks, there's a lot of info to digest

I've got old copies of the drawings which are tatty and faded, but I have a the Centaur.pdf which is free to download from model engineer (see cover photo). This gives full build instructions

There is a reference in there which states it can run on either gas or liquid without any changes, however, given I have no experience of either I wouldn't know if it could or couldn't or how it should be set

I agree, fuel in the base will be better and will be the end state so for now I'll order a cheap R/C fuel tank and tubing to use with Colemans; I don't fancy the petrol smell everywhere

redhouseluv:
I thought I'd make a start today with the ignition when I realised I had no plug cap! The ignition kit comes with a drawing to make a mini plug cap for the NGK CM-6 plug so made a start on that - quite fiddly and nearly forget to put the sheath on before soldering the HT lead to the internal spring.

I guess the next stage is to wire it up and and get a spark at TDC, I'm not quite sure how this Hall effect sensor is to be rigged up, but presumably somewhere along the camshaft where it triggers on a full rotation?

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