I am building a large RC hydro and am looking for a power source. I came across miniture v-8 motors and eventualy foung this site. I am NOT an engeneer nor do I work with metals. I do have a friend that is a machinests and is willing to help me to learn. I need plans and step by step guidance on how to build such motors as what I have seen on youtube and your site and others. Does anyone have time to quickly inform me of how difficult, time consuming, and expensive this will be and then help me to get startd. I need to know the 1st. step, what tools I will need, plans for the project, and so on. I am in Alabama so I can not just stop by either. I am a glutent for punishment so I am willing to spend time and oney to try, make mistakes ad try again. ANY help would be appriciated. I even got a subscription to a magazine I found to try to help me get started. Thanks to any/evryone that responds with help. Thank you. Phillip
Hi Phillip, My friend, there are people who have been building model engines for years and would not or cannot tackle a V-8 engine. To start with no background in machining and jump into a project like this is virtually impossible. I would start with a single cylinder IC engine but even at that there are so many things that need to be learned both from the conceptual to the actual construction work that you don't know what you're asking. You would have to work with someone who is doing a similar project to see what all is involved. I wish you all the best in your endeavor. gbritnell
I always recommend that someone with no machine shop experience start with a compressed air engine or two. They are forgiving designs and will help learn how to make the machines do what you want. Then I recommend building a Stirling to learn fit and precision. Finally a simple internal combustion engine before going to the model of your dreams. There is a lot to learn and this should be fun. David Kerzel
Buy a Zenoah or similar engine, they are 2 stroke, cheap and easy to maintain, plus if they brake, then you can afford to buy a new one.
By the time you develop the skills, buy or build the tools and machines you need to build a decent V8 engine, you will have changed your appreciation of your workmanship and most likely will not want to use the engine for this purpose.
However there are engine builders who are so skilled and dedicated that they will build engines to fly their 1/3 scale planes and will do with care and caution and be very happy with the final product. These individuals dedicate time to maintain engines , planes / boats and enjoy doing it.
Phillip: You might want to look on ebay from time to time there are varoious V-8 model engines for sale. You can expect to pay from around $2000.00 up to about $6000.00 for an actual running engine. Another suggestion I have is to visit one of the various model engine shows around the country. The next one coming up is the NAMES show. It is near Detroit usually in April each year. If you are inclined to machine your own engine, of course you will need a lathe and some drawings or a kit. Kits can be purchased from vendors such as Coles power models. Both Coles and NAMES (North American Model Engineering Society) are on the web and can be found by searching Google. One more possiblity is looking up Gary Conely. Gary manufactures V-8 engines for sale.
you must crawl before you walk then jog before you run .... i stared very simple with daivdsa 3 cylinder tube air engine all i had was a hand drill a file and a dremal try air first and when you are buliding read alot on engines all the engines you can find read on the as you bulid your first air engine i have a backround in engines since i was a kid it was making and machineing that i needed time in the saddle go slow and the engine gods will gide ya watch out for the gremlins they are not fun but make you think and learn ....jay