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

Much improved! At least as good if not better than new.

Good repair!

Thanks for all of the encouragement. Half of the crankshaft repair battle was mustering enough courage to hit an irreplaceable part with a hammer.

Paula, you are very correct about how prone this Doll's crankshaft is to bending because it doesn't have a shaft support outboard of the flywheel. Plus, due to the crank supports being a bit worn, there was enough play that the bend occurred in the closest connecting rod journal. Going forward, this engine will be gently handled and operated.

Happy steaming!

If all goes well, the Doll may be ready for steam later this weekend or early next week.

The crankshaft end play was a bit much and has been reduced using brass shim washers. I am now working to address excessive connecting rod - rod journal clearance (worst one was 0.018 in.) using inserts made from brass shim stock. A wrap-around insert seems to work well and the shape locks into place in the rod and doesn't spin in the rod.

After that, all that remains is a solder repair on the burner and installing new seals on the boiler ports.


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nicely done, looks near dead level. 

A well executed repair.

I'd say close enough too ... and lookin' plenty good besides!