Hello everybody.
Myself and a friend have both bought the castings for the 3 inch vertical Weir pump (originally Southworth engine design, now sold through Blackgates). We built them (in lock down) independently and when attempting to run on air they both suffered the same problem. The air was continuously vented through the exhaust port? The engines would not run. My friend is a very able and experienced model engineer, I less so, however between us we are puzzled what is happening. Both valves move freely past each other and seem loose enough on their spindles / piston to contact the valve plate and ports. Making a Perspex valve chest cover did not reveal anything obviously wrong in the valve chest. Have we both made the same error in our machining? We know these engines can work – we have seen them! Any suggestions very welcome
Martin