How to make an engine?

[Gramiscus]

Hello! I am an undergraduate biology student, but I have taken quite an interest into engines and how modern motors work.

Today I woke up and said, "I want to build a biodiesel engine" -- so, there you have it!

Do any of you have any ideas or suggestions for readings I could look into if I'm interested in making a do-it-yourself simple engine?
I can understand up to a bit of calculus, and have taken academic physics classes.

I would really like to make one that I could use for display purposes, so any suggestions on how to get started would be greatly appreciated.

[BenBurch]

Well, ANY diesel engine can become a biodiesel engine. You just have to have a pre-heater to make sure it doesn't gel up in cold weather!

[Pantaz]

Depending on your level of mechanical expertise, that's quite an undertaking.

Here's a nice one:
http://www.modelenginenews.org/mate/index.html

You might find something on these "DIY" websites:
http://makezine.com/
http://www.instructables.com/

[GreyICE]

How close to scratch are we talking about? Are we talking "I have some metal parts, a machine room, and a thousand hours? Or are we talking "take an existing engine, and modify?"

[Gramiscus]

"Scratch" being -- there is no motor now, but the planning stage is commencing.
It is a future goal; I do not have a time limit, but you have to start somewhere!

I have access to all sorts of tools, and I am sure I could get in contact with most any machine shop tool I needed. I do not have training as of yet, but now is a great time to learn - right?

[MRC_Hans]

The problem is that modern engines are designed using advanced computer programs, the parts are manufactured using sophisticated materials and processes, and assembly is highly automated.

You can, of course, build an engine using off the shelf materials, standard machine shop equipment, and normal skills. They did that in the early years of the 20th century. Unfortunately, you must expect that the result will resemble an early 20th century engine, which can be interesting enough, but may fail to impress people used to the smoothly running, very durable, and highly efficient engines that are standard to-day. It might even disappoint yourself that your engine is inefficient, smoking, oild-dripping, and prone to sudden break-downs.

For an area where expectations are lower, and the technology is easier to master, I suggest you begin by building a steam engine. They are relatively simple, fun to play with, and the smoke and oil is an expected feature. ;)

Hans

[MRC_Hans]

Double post

Hans

[GreyICE]

The problem is that modern engines are designed using advanced computer programs, the parts are manufactured using sophisticated materials and processes, and assembly is highly automated.

You can, of course, build an engine using off the shelf materials, standard machine shop equipment, and normal skills. They did that in the early years of the 20th century. Unfortunately, you must expect that the result will resemble an early 20th century engine, which can be interesting enough, but may fail to impress people used to the smoothly running, very durable, and highly efficient engines that are standard to-day. It might even disappoint yourself that your engine is inefficient, smoking, oild-dripping, and prone to sudden break-downs.

For an area where expectations are lower, and the technology is easier to master, I suggest you begin by building a steam engine. They are relatively simple, fun to play with, and the smoke and oil is an expected feature. ;)

Hans

Yeah... what he said.

[mhaze]

How about taking a truck turbocharger, building an ignition cylinder, and thus making a jet engine that runs biodiesel?

That'd be easier than machining an internal combustion engine, where with diesel you've got high pressures in the cylinder, piston rings that must seal tight, cooling issues, timing chains, etc.

The jet engine would be way, way cooler because it would make more noise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZoymnZRBVc) than your whole school had ever encountered. Like, you'd be waking up people in the next freeking state. Then, why not then carry it a bit further? Build a jetpack, and FLY!!!

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQsByM4-ew&feature=related)

[BenBurch]

How about taking a truck turbocharger, building an ignition cylinder, and thus making a jet engine that runs biodiesel?

That'd be easier than machining an internal combustion engine, where with diesel you've got high pressures in the cylinder, piston rings that must seal tight, cooling issues, timing chains, etc.

The jet engine would be way, way cooler because it would make more noise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZoymnZRBVc) than your whole school had ever encountered. Like, you'd be waking up people in the next freeking state. Then, why not then carry it a bit further? Build a jetpack, and FLY!!!

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQsByM4-ew&feature=related)

MHaze,

Here you go; http://www.interestingprojects.com/cruisemissile/

And here is an archive before NZ interfered; http://web.archive.org/web/20031206060605/www.interestingprojects.com/

[XBoxWarrior]

Hello! I am an undergraduate biology student, but I have taken quite an interest into engines and how modern motors work.

Well, there's your problem...it's time to 'switch' majors.

Today I woke up and said, "I want to build a biodiesel engine" -- so, there you have it!

What exactly does that mean?

1) I wanna get some metal and engineer me a motor?

2) I wanna convert a diesel VW engine to burn McDonald's grease?

3) I am a hippy that has a lot of excess hemp, and I need a way to get it out of the appartment...

If you wanna burn some veggie oil, (in a diesel engine) that is fairly simple.
It's been done on the Mythbusters, and google will lead you.

If you wanna build a piece of metal that will do what a diesel engine will do...much more work.

I drive a VW Bus, 1973, and there are many old school hippies that have dropped in a VW TDI engine and made it run on waste oil.......

It's purely a cost/reward deal...

Good Luck

[Gramiscus]

Thank you all for your responses!

I have to admit that the field of engineering and mechanics stretches far and deep. It's frightening how advanced civilization has become in the past few hundred years.

The cover of wired magazine did good to put words to an idea brewing in my head, "The end of science is near. The age of theory is gone; the age of mass data collection begins."

[bruto]

Do a google search for Lister and "listeroid" engines. Robust old technology, still available and still ready to do real work. If you were really determined, you could probably build your own listeroid, but you can also buy a Chinese or Indian one and work from there. They're a favorite with alternate-fuel experimenters because they're so simple and tough.

[GreyICE]

Thank you all for your responses!

I have to admit that the field of engineering and mechanics stretches far and deep. It's frightening how advanced civilization has become in the past few hundred years.

The cover of wired magazine did good to put words to an idea brewing in my head, "The end of science is near. The age of theory is gone; the age of mass data collection begins."

Yeah, Wired is buying stock in manure farms apparently.