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Author Topic: Flame Licker Won't  (Read 1590 times)

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Flame Licker Won't
« on: March 24, 2020, 11:10:50 am »
Here's a flame licker I built a few years back. It's Dr. Senft's "Poppin".

To my mind, it looks pretty good. However, it just doesn't run. Ball bearings instead of bushings, several tries at a piston using different materials, ditto for the inlet valve, warming the cylinder, re-timing forever--all to no avail.

I recently obtained a nice graphite bar, so I'll try another piston.

This thing is an ongoing source of frustration....

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Bob

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Re: Flame Licker Won't
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2020, 03:51:39 pm »
Hey Bob I'm looking at one on my table almost exactly the same except for brass cylinder and flywheels. I got two pops out of mine.
I don't know why they put those oiler cups on them with a graphite piston but you don't oil that kind. You use powder graphite.
I'm thinking that's the problem with mine from the person before me. It's a graphite piston and they oiled it. It's coming apart and
getting a good cleaning. Good luck with your's, if I get this one running, I'll let you know.
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Tommy

"Steam it, like you mean it."

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Re: Flame Licker Won't
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2020, 04:33:20 pm »
Sounds good.

I think the oiler cup is there for appearance.

Anyway, I'll try a graphite piston.

At least you got two pops.😕
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Bob

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Re: Flame Licker Won't
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2020, 06:15:35 pm »
Hey Bob, those two pops were three years ago. I took it apart and cleaned it good, everything was a little gummy feeling and my PM's are nice and free. Got it back together and after an hour of adjusting, nothing. Not even a fart. That gate on the front isn't giving a good seal, that's not good either.


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Tommy

"Steam it, like you mean it."

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Re: Flame Licker Won't
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2020, 06:47:34 pm »
I made that inlet valve from a .002" feeler gauge. Nice and whippy, seems to seal well (I can feel that), but still no joy.

I'm placing my hopes on the graphite.
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Bob
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