run an IC engine off steam?

[Simple Man]

Years ago, I saw an add in the back of a "Countryside" magazine about converting your Briggs and Stratton engine to run off of steam, and meant to save it for future reference and research. But I'll be dipped in chocolate fudge and staked out over an ant hill if I can find any info about it now. Can't find the magazine I thought the ad was in, in my library. Can't find anything in any of my bookmarks. And a Google search wasn't very encouraging either.

Anyone have any info on this concept, or was the ad placer literally blowing smoke?

Reason I'm asking is I am toying with the idea of building a po' boy genset for use up in the barn, be it gas, producer gas, or steam powered... and to that end I have a 5HP Briggs with a horizontal shaft sitting up there just waiting to be tinkered with.

 

[Dazed]

If you convert it to steam, it won't be an internal combustion engine any more.

You'll need a boiler and the assorted piping.

It won't be 5 hp anymore either. more like 2.

the valving for I/C engines doesn't work well for steam, so it will be inefficient. Not to mention that you don't want the cooling fins on a steam engine's cylinder.

Lubing of the cyliner will be an issue, and lifetime of the engine will be greatly reduced.

Steam and cold weather are not a good mix, unless you keep it running all the time to keep it from freezing.

If you want a steam engine, buy one made for steam, a conversion is not as easy as it sounds, and the engines are not really that much alike, except for the piston, rod, and crank.

By the time you are done, you'll have spent as much on a conversion as you would have on a real steam engine, and your conversion will have less efficiency, lower lifetme, and less reliability.

YMMV, of course.

 

[Christian for Israel]

one alternative is an old diesel engine. the valving modifications are simpler and the engines retain heat better. they can take greater pressure and last longer. look around for a 2 cyl farm tractor engine or a small 4 cyl engine.

 

[Dazed]

one alternative is an old diesel engine. the valving modifications are simpler and the engines retain heat better. they can take greater pressure and last longer. look around for a 2 cyl farm tractor engine or a small 4 cyl engine.

Yer still gonna have undersized valves (leading to inefficiency).

I restate my point. The two types of engines merely share the design of piston, rod, and crankshaft. head/valing etc, are greatly different.

Again, buy a steam engine made for the application. You'll probably save money and be happier in the long run.

you are right about the diesel being stronger, but still, it ain't an easy conversion.

Did I mention the head mods? If nothing else you have to come up with a condensate drain,,,,,

 

[SmartAZ]

What Dazed said. If you want it good, buy it from someone who knows how to make it.

Of course, if you just want to fiddle with junk, go right ahead. I'll watch.

 

[Green Co.]

Simple Man, since I saw your post, I have been looking for that engine. I remember seeing one, shop built, many years ago.

The engine was horizontal shaft with a larger flywheel attached. The engine head had been removed & replaced with a heavy steel plate, with a large (3/8"?) steam line fitted to the top. The engine had been made into a 2-cycle by drilling holes thru the side of the cylinder, for the spent steam to escape. Steam valve timing was accomplished by a rod from the flywheel to the valve.

That's about all I remember about it.... wish I could find plans for one, myself.

 

[Simple Man]

Thanks all...

I do realize there are problems associated with the conversion, and producer gas is what I ideally want to get set up, but steam has always held a certain attraction for me.