Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Hello,
This is an engine I got off Craigslist a few years ago.  The other day I decided I would see if it would run on air.  I oiled it profusely and put a bit of air to it.  Nothing.  It turns freely by hand.  I opened the steam chest and this is what I found.  I adjusted the valve so it was moving equally in both directions.  Closed it back up, added a bit of air and the piston only travels in one direction under power and that is towards the fly wheel.  It will not go back unless I rotate the fly wheel.  If you look at the holes in the steam chest there are only two small holes on either side of the three exhaust holes that actually enter the cylinder.  It seems like the hole on the right side is not letting air through to push the piston back.  I am a newbie at this whole steam engine world, but from what I have seen this is an odd set up for the free movement of steam or air.  Any comments are appreciated.  I really like this engine and would like to get it to work. Thanks in advance for your help.
Regards,
Tim

Hi Tim,

One thing to check is the angular relationship between the crank and the valve eccentric. Generally, it should be 90 degrees. Couldn't tell exactly from your pictures how your engine is setup. Sometimes the setting is "built into" the design of the valve gear, but sometimes it's loosening a setscrew, adjusting, and re-tightening. The direction of offset from the crank, either +90 or -90 degrees also determines direction of rotation.

Paula