Office of Steam Logo_1

« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Empire B-38 Hot Air Engine  (Read 272 times)

RichSteamTx

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 782
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Empire B-38 Hot Air Engine
« on: May 06, 2023, 01:26:58 pm »
What a cool engine to get my hands on - I love this thing!!  Though I would not say it is super powerful/fast.  Though I suppose slow & steady is the name of the game for something running a store display?

After unplugging, the engine ran for a LONG time and it doesn't take much time to warm up to run either!
Logged
Richard

RichSteamTx

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 782
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Re: Empire B-38 Hot Air Engine
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2023, 02:51:58 pm »
I assume this guy has been apart in its live as I think this spicket should be point UP and not to the side - I believe this is another oiling port?

I have also cleaned her up a bit too, so new photos attached.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Logged
Richard

RichSteamTx

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 782
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Re: Empire B-38 Hot Air Engine
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2023, 07:22:36 pm »
Interesting YouTube I found about the difference between the B-38 & B-40 Engines.  This fellow seems to explain that when Empire sent out the B-40 (which comes with the B-40 display) for dealers/stores people wanted the B-40 Hot Air Engine for themselves.  So Empire released the B-38 for people to buy - which makes total sense.

YouTube link to Empire model B-38 hot air (Stirling) engine
Logged
Richard

txlabman

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3661
  • Location: Plano, Texas
Re: Empire B-38 Hot Air Engine
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2023, 01:50:52 pm »
Here is the video of the Empire B40 Store Display (hopefully, some day I will get it fully restored).

This was the only known example until eBay seller slowjoey acquired Carl Pilleteri's collection.  I understand that Carl had a second example in his collection (more complete), but that slowjoey does not want to ship it.  The store display is ~4 foot long and probably weighs 30+ pounds.

I purchased mine with a large collection from Bruce Egbert in Ohio in 2018.  My younger brother who lives in Dayton, Ohio picked up the engines that I purchased and drove them to me in a rental car that I rented with Hertz points.  I flew him home first class with airline miles.

Below are two short videos I made of mine:



Logged

RichSteamTx

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 782
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Re: Empire B-38 Hot Air Engine
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2023, 01:57:06 pm »
So the best part about the above - you rented a car for your brother, had him deliver them to you, and then flew him home 1st class back home - now that is going the extra mile!  I have been chatting to SlowJoey about the B-40 Display, trying to think outside of the box.  But not sure if we'll come to a solution, which he still owes me photos (not likely to get them until later part of June or July).
Logged
Richard

txlabman

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3661
  • Location: Plano, Texas
Re: Empire B-38 Hot Air Engine
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2023, 02:21:19 pm »
And to add one more rarity to your list, check out crazydoug66's video of another Empire Unicorn:

Logged

RichSteamTx

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 782
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Re: Empire B-38 Hot Air Engine
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2023, 02:26:53 pm »
I have watched that video a few times and pined over it a bit.... I have told myself that isn't one to worry myself over and be happy with the B-33 that I have now!
Logged
Richard
Pages: [1]
« previous next »