Learnin' Stirlin' - a peculiar looking Stirling Engine

[Dave Otto]

You can make the sleeve fully in the end of a piece of stock and part it off to length, that way you will not harm it by trying to do further operations on it. Drill and ream first then turn the OD taking light cuts with a sharp tool. If you make it a slip fit in the old bushing and Loctite it in place you will not change the dimensions of it.
The current wall diameter of the original bushing is 1/16"? It would be nice if you could take a little more out of it, the sleeve will be quite thin but doable I think. I guess worst case you completely remove it and install a new one.
The most important thing is you need a gas tight seal on the bushing to rod with no friction, Have you checked the size of the piston rod with a mic so you know exactly what size it is? You will only need a 1/2 thou or less of clearance.

Dave

[Sanjay F]

Went as as far as I dare which was a diameter of 0.396, so the bore needs to be 0.313 which gives me 0.083 or 0.0415” wall thickness for the new bush.

I’ve checked the piston rod and it 0.312

[Dave Otto]

That should be plenty of wall thickness for your bushing.
Keep in mind that this is one of the main leak paths in a hot air engine, so the tighter you can get it with out binding the better. Oil will help the seal but it is not a cure for a sloppy fit.

Dave

[Sanjay F]

I think we're there Dave

I used a new tool .............it looks pretty good and a nice sliding fit for the bush, I had to gently tap the last bit and the piston fit feels like it was originally ........I've just applied the Loctite so will leave for now and see how things pan out in the morning.

Thanks for the help 

[Dave Otto]

That look great Sanjay, nice work!

Dave

[Sanjay F]

Sadly, I could not get the engine to run, maybe my close fit was not as close as I thought and needed; I think I may have to re-drill it and start again 

On the plus side, there are no water leaks and I know the construction method now 

[Sanjay F]

3rd attempt

I drilled out the bush again and made another and this time its tighter around the piston rod so let's see what happens.....

[Sanjay F]

Third time lucky 

Its working with the new bush and I replaced the gasket holding the power piston to the cylinder and sealed around the fixing holes as they went straight into the displacer cylinder!

Yes it's leaking water from the radiator jointing, yes it needs a bit more running in, yes it's still not the prettiest engine, but its definitely getting faster towards the end of the video.....I'll seal off the leaks put a thin metal plate on the wood which is now burnt to a crisp and call it a day 

EDIT Must get down the motor spares shop and buy a fan belt 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_djeYKDWr7Q

[crueby]

Its alive!   

[Dave Otto]

Congrats!

[Sanjay F]

The strange stirling engine is now mounted onto a base and is running a lot better and no water leaks. After hours of experimentation I concluded the fan is purley decorative; the belt is either so loose it comes off or with the slightest amount of tension the addtional friction stops the engine.......... (hours of fun trying though  )

Anyway ................this one's concluded & no beautification for this one I'm afraid 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Bs2GMjDOOtc