Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Scale Model Gas Engines - Hit & Miss - Throttle Governed - Non-Compression – etc => Topic started by: RedRyder on November 27, 2021, 09:12:47 pm
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You have done some good work on your Panhead V-Twin.
Well done.... Very well done...!!!
Gil
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Here’s a few modifications I’ve done with my FG-VT9.
I’ve put around 7 hours on my engine so far, and it only runs better and better.
I did have my ignitor go out, and am waiting for my new one to arrive soon.
Mods:
I removed the brass cam tappets, and noticed some light scuffing / friction marks on them.
I polished the 4 tappets, and now they are extremely smooth and move without any friction.
I used a light polishing compound, and did a “valve seat job” and now the valves seal even better.
I’ve been experimenting with various O rings, since I lost compression in one of my cylinders. So far, the 1mm thickness 16mm Viton O rings (brown) have worked extremely well. I also bought the green NBR type 1mm thickness x 16mm.
When I had the pistons removed for installing the O-rings, I lightly wet-polished the piston skirts with 2000 grit sandpaper.
Before my ignitor or Hall sensor went out, I was getting the lowest, most solid idle I’ve ever gotten with my FG-VT9.
Digital Tachometer reading was around 1220!
It idled that low, and would idle so solidly without any stalling or stopping. Sucker would idle through a tank of fuel. 😁 Engine response and rev was perfect and very responsive.
Cylinder temperatures were extremely cool (110 degrees Farenheit) using a fan to keep the engine cool.
I also made a set of stainless pushrod covers that look great.
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Oh nice man!! I love the vacuum suction feature, it sticks to a flat surface really well.
I am gonna start my V2 tomorrow and make another video. I had been running it in my hand as a hand warming massager lol.!
I’ve got mine pretty dialed in and tuned….. just hard to take a video one handed
I’ll be sure to take temp readings tomorrow as well
Talk soon, j
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I will be interested to read about your temperature readings with vs. without the fan.
I stopped by Harbor Freight late today and picked up the vacuum cup vice with rubber jaws.
It is a handy little tool. I have to admit I was pleased to see it stick to my wood display bench top.
Gil
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Gil,
10 mL of a zero-weight oil would be perfect dude.
Let me know once you’ve had time to do more tuning carburetor adjustments,
and how it runs after you’ve slightly leaned out the low-end needle…
I think you’ll immediately see and hear a difference in how your engine runs.
I have also noticed the engine dissipates heat very quickly when using a fan close to the engine.
Anytime I run mine longer than a minute I turn my small shop fan on to keep air blowing towards the engine, and it immediately cools the engine while it’s running.
I’m going to use my temp gun this evening when I run it to get some temperature numbers.
I have been running my engine without the copper pipes, and I was checking to make sure the exhaust valve wasn’t getting too hot, which it wasn’t. I was surprised how cool the engine runs, which is a good thing.
Talk to you guys later, -j
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Hi Mike 👋 Hopefully you’ll get your engine soon!
I know Stirlingkit is getting them out pretty quickly in groups. It’s definitely worth the wait.
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Thanks for the tips!
I will get one next time I visit HF.
Will likely use Mobil 1 0W-20 or 0W-16 in the crank case.
Gil
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Hey Jon,
Welcome to the forum! We talked a bit in the Stirlingkit FB group. Still waiting for my engine to be shipped.
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Hey Gil,
I found a perfect running stand for the FG-VT9.
It’s a small vise from… harbor freight 😬
It’s actually perfect though, it has soft rubber jaws, it’s extremely sturdy, articulated and has a vacuum held base.
I’ve been running my engine in my hand, couldn’t bring myself to it in my shop vise.
I went to harbor freight today and bought one after seeing it.
The engine fits perfectly and is safely secure. 👍🤘
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-3-4-quarter-inch-articulated-vacuum-vise-3311.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12169518939&campaignid=12169518939&utm_content=114845717257&adsetid=114845717257&product=3311&store=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA78aNBhAlEiwA7B76pzhvVYkQt-NCHzowPG9moxPxUmyvKwf4ITiDtfZ_zmwXlNCe5JNpmRoCTVIQAvD_BwE
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Hi Gil,
Jon Cook here, thanks for the invite 👋
Your Stirlingkit Panhead is sounding good!
As well as the high speed needle adjustment
there is also a low speed needle adjustment in the center of the throttle arm. It’s a flat head screw.
It’s a very sensitive adjustment; a little goes a long way.
Turning the screw left richens mixture, turning right leans it. Can’t be sure, but your engine sounds a bit rich to me in your video. You’ll definitely know & hear when the carb tune is getting there when the engine is running on both cylinders.
Unfortunately there isn’t a way to adjust ignition timing. The distributor is not functional, it just holds the Hall sensor wire. The distributor looks so real!
The instruction manual is a bit vague. I’ve been talking with Stirlingkit and was advised to add 10ml of 2 stroke oil to the hole where the starter / generator would mount. This oil keeps the cam, crank gear, and tappets lubricated. The upper valve train is lubricated by grease on the rocker arms and also by blow-by.
I’ve got probably 4+ hours on my engine, and as it breaks in, it runs better and better. Definitely a sweet little engine and it sounds incredible.
I’m working on a base for mine, and a set of chrome shorty pipes. 😊
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Anyone know if that engine has a single-pin crank?
It does.
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Anyone know if that engine has a single-pin crank?
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Thanks again, Mick. That video is very informative.
Gil
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Thanks, Mick!
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If u watch this video link it will show u inside the timing chest
https://youtu.be/YCPuxbgdMzc
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Turning the distributor wont alter the timing on it at all, its just a wire outlet, the ignition sensor is right behind the cam gear inside the cam chest, its a fixed ignition
Thanks, Mick. Good info. No wonder it didn't seem to make a real difference!
Have you had one apart? If so, how is the inside lubricated aside from placing oil on the cranshaft where it meets the crank case?
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Turning the distributor wont alter the timing on it at all, its just a wire outlet, the ignition sensor is right behind the cam gear inside the cam chest, its a fixed ignition
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Here's another quick video....
https://youtu.be/2bNLZ8QQRU8
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Makes as much noise as a usual Harley and about as reliable
But well done on your perseverance and success
Cheers
Dennis
Hi Dennis, it is actually proving quite reliable with the right voltage.
It now starts easily on demand.
I still have more to learn about it.
An owner's manual would be a big help.
Gil
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Amazing. When does the miniature bike arrive?!?
Rig it so the bike follows a track!
This is too cool. Thanks for sharing!
Jason
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Makes as much noise as a usual Harley and about as reliable
But well done on your perseverance and success
Cheers
Dennis
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Congratulations on getting it to run consistently.
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As promised......
A video of it running pretty nicely!
The only problem was not enough electric power.
I wrote Mona at Stirlingkit and requested the proper voltage.
She reached out to the maker and got back to me with 6-12 volts
I was leery of anything over 4.5 v because some of the ignitions on Jin's engines will fry with 6 v or more.
Enjoy,
Gil
https://youtu.be/9BjOFUQgD0k
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Well, we all knew you would have it up and running well in short time!
Crazydoug
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wow that's some engine I shall keep an eye out for the next video
Thanks, Marts!
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wow that's some engine I shall keep an eye out for the next video
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I just gave it a quick test with 6 volts instead of 4.5.
It makes all the difference in the world.
Runs like a champ now!
Will do a video as time allows.
Gil
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Hi Nick, Yes because you can hook 'em up and run 'em.
No because they need a base or padded vice and you need a battery box, fuel line and tank.
Gil
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They sure sound great when you get them running 8) Are they sold as ready-to-run?
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Here is part 2 update on the mini Panhead.
Enjoy!
Gil
https://youtu.be/QdIWgYHVPJU
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Gil this is a very nice Pan Head and it works like the Originals -
It needs gas to work and no air bubbles - haha
Thanks for the demonstration..
Arnold
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Its a sharp looking V twin , much smaller than I assumed. I see plenty of bubbles in the fuel line Gil...I blow into the fuel tank while slightly cracking the line at the carburetor on 1st start up to help start my hit N miss engines
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Very cool engine. A custom wooden base is in order! Im glad you guys play with these things and i can vicariously watch and live such a dream via office of steam and not having to purchase one for my own collection..... yet...
Cant wait to see it powering something
JASON
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I finally got a bit of free time to try to start the V-Twin Harley Panhead replica in miniature.
Wants to run but I have a learning curve and a good fuel tank will be helpful.
Enjoy,
Gil
https://youtu.be/nD6xp6hWS3M