BangShift.com Hit And Miss Engines

(By Greg Rourke) – Hit or miss engines…no, I’m not referring to the engine I tried to construct for the slowest dragster within the Midwest. I’m referring to a number of the earliest gasoline engines, constructed on the flip of the 20th century.

Hit or miss engines had been so named as a result of they might solely fireplace the gas and air cost as wanted. Giant flywheels saved power, the governor would maintain the exhaust valve open till the engine slowed down sufficient for one more combustion stroke to be wanted. They produced a singular sound when working…”POP, whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh POP”.

These engine had been brutally easy, and would final endlessly. They didn’t use a carburetor, only a line working from the gas tank with a needle valve on the cylinder. A test valve prevented gas from flowing backwards throughout non energy strokes. With the exhaust valve held open, there was no vacuum to attract gas into the cylinder. The consumption valve was opened by suction, and air consumption was only a pipe elbow with a butterfly valve to manage pace. The crankcase was normally not enclosed and shifting elements lubricated by grease or an oil drip cup. They had been water cooled by the use of an open water reservoir forged proper into the block. They had been usually began on gasoline, then switched to a less expensive gas like kerosene or diesel.

As well-liked as these engines had been, they fell out of favor by the 1940’s. Smaller, lighter engines from Briggs and Stratton and others did the identical work. The 6 horsepower engine in your garden mower? That child weighed in at 1000 kilos or extra in a hit or miss. Sadly many of those engines had been deemed out of date by farmers and others and had been misplaced to scrap steel drives throughout World Battle Two. Thankfully a great quantity are nonetheless round and prized by collectors. Head out to the following farm tractor present or county truthful and also you’re prone to see a few of these relics working corn shellers, turbines, and even ice cream freezers.

PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE HIT AND MISS ENGINES AT WORK – THE RED BEHEMOTH? YEAH, IT MAKES 5HP!