Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Steam => Topic started by: DBS88 on June 27, 2020, 09:48:53 pm

Title: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on June 27, 2020, 09:48:53 pm
Here is a photo of my one hundred year old Stuart MTB 1B 180, twin cylinder single acting engine that I am hoping to put back into steam. Before I can do this there are a few things that I need to find out. I believe the engine had a wet sump with splash lubrication to the crank and lower cylinders. The engine and valves move freely. So your help with the following would be appreciated.
1) The type and quantity of oil used in the sump?
2) The settings for the valve timing? under air the engine currently rocks back and forward rather than continuously rotating
3) Each piston has two grooves, are they for piston rings/graphite cord or are they left empty to carry oil to lubricate the upper cylinder?


The engine was designed to be high reving and to use superheated or flash steam, any advice, help will be greatly appreciated, thank you
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: rhavrane on June 28, 2020, 11:12:46 am
Bonjour,
1 - have never seen il in a sump, so I wold suggest an oil lubricator in the flow of the steam pipe : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucnvfTI86lg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucnvfTI86lg)
I have not this specific machine but a friend who has a Sun uses a grade 480 steam oil, I would kindly suggest you to do the same.

I buy it there http://www.anton-vapeur.fr/liste.php?cat=17&mr=Accessoires%20Moteurs%20Graisseurs (http://www.anton-vapeur.fr/liste.php?cat=17&mr=Accessoires%20Moteurs%20Graisseurs) and I am sure your would find it closer.

2 - Sorry, no experience

3 - The answer depends on the number and the size of the grooves. On one of my D10, I had three thin grooves, less than 0,5 mm and my friend replaced them by one for a 1 mm diameter Viton O'ring : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1nfERma9MI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1nfERma9MI)
I have neither no experience with graphite.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: Jerry C on June 28, 2020, 11:42:24 am
I googled this engine. It says the bottom end is splash lubricated by oil in the sump and the pistons and valve gear are lubricated by a displacement lubricator in the steam line. No data on type of oil though. It was commonly use with flash steam and powered generators and water pumps. Very powerful for its size.
Jerry.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: KNO3 on June 28, 2020, 01:22:43 pm
Oil in the sump should be steam oil, because it will get mixed with water while running. Besides the engine is also going to need a steam lubricator to lubricate the valve and cylinders.

Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on June 29, 2020, 09:23:22 am
I too thought steam oil to be the most likely to use in the sump but having done a bit more research and now spoken to Stuart’s it appears that a light engine oil was used in the sump with the sump being filled to a level where the crank splashes into the oil to create a mist. So will try it with some 20/50 .
The slide valves and top of the cylinders were lubricated via the steam line.


The engine is confirmed as being from the early production run so dating from 1910-1914


As for the valve timing, looks like I am going to have to experiment, so any hints and tips would be most welcome.


Will post more photos when the engine is disassembled
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: frazer heslop on June 29, 2020, 10:18:25 am
From that era they may have used a castor oil like Castrol R30 or in later times a straight 20 or 30 grade oil .It is still available from Castrol or a 220 bearing oil available from Morris lubricants. This is what I use in my Clayton and used to use in my 6inch Sentinal steam wagon
Although 220 is graded for total loss Iv not had a problem and my engine leaked that much they nearly were total loss
cheers
https://www.morrislubricantsonline.co.uk/bearing-oil-220.html (https://www.morrislubricantsonline.co.uk/bearing-oil-220.html)
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on June 29, 2020, 07:37:35 pm
Great tip, thank you Frazer, the Morris Lubricants look to be perfect.


As promised here are pictures of the disassembled engine showing the slide valve, the sump, crank and cast iron pistons.


Next job is to take off the cylinder head to check the ports - however as you will see from the photos some of the screws are sheared so this may take a while - more photos to follow - think I have found the reason why the engine is not currently rotating will update when I know for sure


As before any help with the valve timing settings would be most welcome
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: ballastanksian on June 29, 2020, 08:53:37 pm
Steam oil has lanolin in it and is very viscous, so would probably not be suitable for your Big ends. But squirted into the cylinders, the vitamins and dinosaurs make it a good lubricant where the viscosity is not easily lost where the mechanism is hottest. Live steam enthusiasts like Frazer use ratchet style pumps linked into the drive mechanism of locomotives etc to apply a measured amount of Steam oil on each rotation.


Regarding your timing, it sounds like it is 90 degrees out and so the slide valves are opening in such a way that it is causing the rocking back and forth of the pistons. Is there a lot of air escape during running off the compressor?
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on June 29, 2020, 11:14:11 pm
Well couldn't put it off any longer, the cylinder head had to come off, luckily the thought of doing it was worse than actually doing it. The screws with heads undid without too much of a fight, that just left the two that had sheared off! Fortunately the cylinder head was persuaded past one then I was able to rotate the whole head which undid one stud/stump, the second stud gave in fairly easily after that so job done.


Next jobs are to clean it all up, put it back together, set up the timing and get it running properly.


That just leaves the dilemma - to paint it or leave it natural?  and if painted what colour?
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: steamboatmodel on June 30, 2020, 02:03:50 am

I have seen two of these painted one in British Racing Green the other in Naval Blue, both with gold pinstripe. Others I have seen were ether plain unpainted or polished.
Gerald.
PS If you are going to run it with super heated steam you have to paint it with high temperature tolerant paint.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on June 30, 2020, 07:39:45 pm
Having removed the broken screws I need to replace them and to be honest, most of the screws look a bit scruffy so may as well replace them all - now that poses another question? What type of thread was used in 1910? was it BA or Whitworth or something else? The small screws appear to be 0.086 inches dia and the larger ones 0.126 both appear to have a fairly fine thread - any ideas?
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: ballastanksian on June 30, 2020, 08:34:13 pm
I think Stuart reside in Bridport Dorset and they might be able to inform you best on the threads etc.


Indeed my memory is pin sharp thisevening  %%


Here: [size=78%]https://www.stuartmodels.com/p/contact (https://www.stuartmodels.com/p/contact)[/size]



Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 30, 2020, 08:56:59 pm
 
Topic renamed on request -  :-)
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: frazer heslop on June 30, 2020, 09:27:27 pm
 You never know with these old engines. The BA system came into use around 1890/1900
1/8 whit is 40 tpi
3/32 whit is 48 tpi
5 BA is 43 tpi and has an OD of 0.126
8BA is 59.1 tpi and has an OD of 0.086
https://www.tracytools.com/thread-gauge (https://www.tracytools.com/thread-gauge)
cheers
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: SteamboatPhil on July 01, 2020, 06:14:13 pm
The one thing I have noticed is you do not appear to have a drain for the sump as you will need to flush the engine after running on steam (on my sun engine I opened up the sump hole and tapped 3/8 BSB) Also I used Hypo 90 gear oil in the sump (if it still exists  {:-{ )
RE the threads, the very early engines were I believe 3/32 then moved to 5 & 7 BA
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on July 02, 2020, 07:34:35 pm
Thank you for the help to date -
Re the threads have now tried to use a couple of thread gauges to no avail, so have no resorted to practical means, I tried both a 5BA and an 8BA neither of which fit, so on to the 1/8 and the 3/32 whitworths next, heres hoping.


Re the drain plug you are correct, theres also no way for the crankcase to breath or for filling and topping up with oil either!!! so need to do more research as to whether or not these were usual or whether they were modifications that people added for themselves.

Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on July 06, 2020, 10:19:14 pm
Have now confirmed the screws that hold the sump on are 1/8 Whitworth. So assume the rest are also Whitworth so now trying to locate some suitable 3/32 Whitworth screws for the cylinder head and for the valve cover - they appear to be as rare as hens teeth!!! Have spent a few hours searching the internet and talking to suppliers- have found one that will make me 200 at a cost of £130 - so for now will keep looking, if you know someone with 20 x 3/32 whitworth screws then please do let me know thank you
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: derekwarner on July 06, 2020, 11:59:02 pm
Some may say it would be committing debauchery,  :o  but an alternative to a British course thread would be to consider a fine thread of Continental heritage {-)

1/8" Whit = 3.175mm......an M4 x 0.5 = 3.5mm tapping drill….[the only downside is the 5.5 AF hex......which could simply be accommodated]

One can never understand why so many [including Jaguar] persisted in using slotted head bolts where it is near impossible to gauge or attain any reasonable induced torque
Derek
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: SteamboatPhil on July 07, 2020, 08:07:30 am
This might just be your lucky day, I have


9 off 3/32 Whit hex head (1/2 long)
10 off 3/32 R/H Whit head (1/2 long)
3 off 3/32 hex head Whit (3/8 long)


Yours, just PM me your address


Derek...shame on you.....metric..... >:-o
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on July 07, 2020, 08:38:52 am
Thank you that’s both kind and generous, have sent a pm, it’s appreciated
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: IanJ on July 07, 2020, 02:34:01 pm
Hi,


With regards to 1/8" whit which is 40TPI; 1/8" ME (model engineer) thread is also 40TPI. ME taps & dies are readily available. Try www.tracytools.com and EKP supplies have fixings that could help.


Cheers


Ian
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on July 07, 2020, 10:17:01 pm
Thank you for the advice and support on the thread sizes it is appreciated. The 1/8 threads are now taken care of with new 1/8 th Whitworths, it the smaller size in whithworth at 3/32 that was causing difficulties, this has now been resolved with the kind help of a fellow Mayhemer, Steamboatphil, who had some. I am really happy about this because it means the engine stays nearer original. I had been considering drilling out and re threading in a larger size, as suggested, then replacing the screws with studs - thankfully, hopefully that’s not currently going to be necessary.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on July 12, 2020, 07:35:02 pm
Heres a progress update and a few more photos. Have had a bit of time over the weekend so started to clean and degrease the cylinder head and valve chest. I used some gunk, a tooth brush and then some wire wool. Still deciding whether or not to paint it. Also took the time to clean up the machined faces being careful not to remove all the original machining marks. When I took it apart there were no gaskets, having cleaned the mating faces up, they will now wring together so I know they are flat, smooth and should give a good seal - lets wait and see how leaky it is under steam before we get too carried away!!! Next will be the cylinder block and sump.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on July 16, 2020, 11:19:10 pm
Here is the promised update on the reasons for the engine not running continuously - my suspicions about the timing are well founded it is out however, it’s more serious since no amount of adjustments will over come the fact that one gear has 25 teeth and the other 20 teeth!! The engine turns over freely it just would never run like it is. So now need to identify the right gears and source a pair of suitable replacement 90 degree bevel gears.[/size]If any of you have one of these engines please would you let me know how many teeth are on the gears and the diameter of the gears, it will be appreciated. If anyone has a scrap engine that has the gears please do get in touchKind RegardsDave
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: Jerry C on July 16, 2020, 11:42:01 pm
If that’s the top end what is the ratio at the bottom end? It may compensate.
Jerry.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: tghsmith on July 17, 2020, 12:18:54 am
the timing would be correct 1 out 5 revolutions,, most look like a matched set of gears in both material and tooth count,, have you seen this  https://modelengineeringwebsite.com/Stuart_Turner_1.html (https://modelengineeringwebsite.com/Stuart_Turner_1.html)
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on July 17, 2020, 07:56:21 am
Hi Jerry the bevel gears take the rotation of the crank through 90 degrees up the side of the engine to a scotch crank that converts rotary movement to linear movement to operate the slide valve. Since These are the only two gears I believe they need to be 1:1 ratio to maintain the timing, so hoping to see photos and or get measurements and tooth count. It would be nice to keep this as close as possible to what was intended
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: malcolmbeak on July 17, 2020, 10:09:55 am
I have an MTB 1, but it has a piston valve. I was told many years ago that there were a few produced like this. Having Googled Stuart MTB 1B I found an excellent article about the Stuart single acting engines. It would seem that yours is an early version (there was an earlier still version that used a face cam, lever and spring return but they were not too reliable) I have shown photos of the early, later and mine.
Mine has brass bevel gears with 15 teeth. It is well worn and I haven't tried it on steam, but it is so free that I can easily blow it over.


Malcolm
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: ooyah/2 on July 17, 2020, 06:07:37 pm
Dave ,
Here is the timing diagram for the current Sun engine model, I don't suppose that Sturt Turner could tell you what the bevel gear dimensions are.


I don't have the actual DRG for this engine but the pics I have show that the bevel gears look the same size.


Try setting the timing as per the picture . if it works I would not put the engine together again without gaskets which can be made from brown paper well oiled.




George.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on July 20, 2020, 08:33:11 pm
Malcolm and George, thank you for your helpful replies, they are appreciated. I have now located (found) a couple of suitable gears (16 teeth) and slid them roughly into place to check they work and how they look. The screws for securing the cylinder head and valve chest are on the way so will be able to assemble the engine and use the timing settings later this week, so good progress is being made.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: tghsmith on July 21, 2020, 12:22:11 am
keith appleton has several you tube vids on this type of engine,, talks about oil filled sumps....
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on July 29, 2020, 10:12:41 am
Here is a delayed update. Have been busy on other projects whilst waiting for a few bits to complete this engine, oh and a new arrival to the fleet has also been a distraction. Have now degreased and cleaned the rest of the parts. I obtained a 3/32 whit worth tap and have now cleaned up the threads, the screws have arrived, thank you to Steamboat Phil. I am just waiting for two new gears to arrive, the gears I showed you last time were from a mechano set!!! they may have done a job, but I want to do this restoration sympathetically and as well as I am able to. Still trying to decide whether to leave the engine with its natural finish or to paint it?
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: KNO3 on July 30, 2020, 12:53:18 pm
Nice work. I guess you'll need to paint the steel parts, or they will go rusty.
You could probably use any bevel gears that fit, provided they have the sarme number of teeth.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on August 24, 2020, 11:06:37 am
Its been a while since I worked on this engine, because I have been waiting for parts, in the meantime I have been learning a lot from two new arrivals to the fleet, a tug and a torpedo destroyer . To progress this engine I decided to go for some new gears rather than the meccano ones, they have now arrived. They have 4mm holes, however the crankshaft has been ground/turned to an odd size of 0.163 inches, so had to order a drill to enlarge the hole in one of the gears so that it would fit, so another delay. Have now placed the gears on the shafts and checked there operation. So now need to put the new toys to one side and get on with completing this engine. Interestingly one of the new toys has the last development of this MTB 180 engine in it, a Stuart Sun engine.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: KNO3 on August 24, 2020, 09:22:55 pm
They fit perfectly!
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: grendel on August 25, 2020, 01:58:04 pm
I was about to say those gears mesh properly, the meccano ones have a 30 degree face, so wouldnt mesh properly together.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on September 22, 2020, 05:35:32 pm
Firstly, thank you for all the help received, without your support it would have been a lot more difficult to have saved this lovely engine. Also thank you for your patience in waiting for updates, as some of you know I have been distracted by new arrivals to the fleet, but today got on with assembling the engine and setting the timing. I am happy to report that the engine started immediately and continued to run smoothly at a decent rhythmic pace from a meagre air supply of approx 5 -7 psi- the best that my airbrush compressor could manage with this engine. Whilst my aim is to have it in steam that will have to wait til I have a boiler on the bench that I can connect it to. The engine is currently assembled with out gaskets, which appears to be how it was originally made, and appeared to be air tight, but as we know steam and higher pressures are likely to show up any weakness in the joints.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: KBIO on September 22, 2020, 06:43:25 pm
Hello!
This is a lovely piece of collection! :-))
I do not see no segment ring on the pistons. Is-it normal ?
Regards.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on September 22, 2020, 07:55:13 pm
Re the grooves in the pistons, for this engine, the grooves are there to cary oil from the wet sump to lubricate the cylinder bores, they are not there for piston rings - I did wonder about this myself and research led me to this conclusion. Having run the engine today with a sump full of oil the splash lubrication system seems to be effective
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: derekwarner on September 22, 2020, 10:32:19 pm
The fact of the grooves in a single acting single acting engine or a double acting engine in the exhaust phase of the stoke/cycle relates to a combination of both Boyles and Charles Laws........[The Combined Gas Equation]


https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-combined-gas-law-604936#:~:text=The%20combined%20gas%20law%20combines,is%20equal%20to%20a%20constant.&text=where%20P%20%3D%20pressure%2C%20V%20%3D,)%2C%20and%20k%20%3D%20constant.\ (https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-combined-gas-law-604936#:~:text=The%20combined%20gas%20law%20combines,is%20equal%20to%20a%20constant.&text=where%20P%20%3D%20pressure%2C%20V%20%3D,)%2C%20and%20k%20%3D%20constant.\)


Just a little light bed time reading  {-) ........the fact that the labyrinth rings trap and distribute lubrication oil is absolutely a secondary bonus :-))

Alternate steam applications also benefit in a similar manner ....


https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/labyrinth-packing#:~:text=The%20seal%20steam%20system%20enables,between%20the%20inside%20and%20outside (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/labyrinth-packing#:~:text=The%20seal%20steam%20system%20enables,between%20the%20inside%20and%20outside).


Derek
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: ooyah/2 on September 28, 2020, 04:54:12 pm
Dave,
Continuing your thread on the old Stuart twin cylinder engine.
I did some research and found that I had posted a Thread (. https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,31619.0.html (https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,31619.0.html) ) on a similar engine that I had done some refurb on, I can't remember where my engine came from but when refurbed it was sold to a collector on e-bay.
The pics that I have posted may give you some idea as to whether you paint it or not, click on to the pics for a larger image.


I am surprised that there is no Crank case vent so lubrication to the cylinder is by splash pressure in the Crank Case and pumps oil from the sump to the underside of the pistons and also lubricates the small end in the piston.
The ring grooves are there to collect oil and steam from above to help in the sealing of the pistons to the bore. You will find that all of Stuart engines that don't have piston rings rely on this method, the sump oil is normal Auto engine oil, as I can't see any method to replenish the oil in the sump, I have a feeling that one of the central Crank case fixing bolts when taken out allowed oil in and it was total loss system when running,

I personally when building Stuart Models withought rings use Silicone "O" rings and never have had any failures.


If you go to the end on the posts on the 2nd page  you will find a History of this engine and how it developed into the "Sun"


George.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on September 28, 2020, 05:32:23 pm
George, thank you for the link, its an interesting read, and confirms your engine as a No1 MTB. As you point out in your thread the design of the cam with the steel ball follower was not the greatest, so gave way to the MTB 180 and MTB 1B. From my research I believe the MTB 180 to be made between 1910 and 1914, so yours was probably earlier. As you say these engines went on be further developed. Sitting on my bench waiting its turn for some attention is one of those developments its the No1a MTB engine which as you can see needs a good clean and some TLC but hopefully will look stunning when its done. The final stage was the Sun engine which has holes drill in the top of the casing for filling the oil and relieving the pressure, I am currently working on getting these Sun Engines running. So all in all this MTB 180 refurbishment has been a good learning experience for these next engines.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on October 28, 2020, 01:47:50 pm
As you know I have been wondering whether or not to paint my MTB 180 engine and if so which colour, I have seen one in black and gold and now this one in green, both look really good. NB the green one sold recently for £549.

I am leaning towards leaving the engine as bare metal, clean oiled cast iron has a certain authentic appeal. In the mean time I am hoping to run it on steam soon.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: rhavrane on October 28, 2020, 08:01:18 pm
Bonjour,
Green is the official color of Stuart engines : https://www.stuartmodels.com/
I can imagine that black and gold is nice, but it is note the right color  ok2
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: KNO3 on October 29, 2020, 11:55:04 pm
Paint it the colour you like. Cast iron looks good painted and it will be much better protected from rust.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on November 01, 2020, 09:41:02 am

I have now re found the video of the black MTB 180 so or completeness here is a picture of a MTB 180 that has been painted black and gold and a link to the video of its refurbishment and then running


https://youtu.be/9Pd8EkOtRXE
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: KNO3 on November 01, 2020, 10:30:17 am
Looks very good!
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: rhavrane on November 01, 2020, 12:43:29 pm
Bonjour,
Beautiful, black and gold instead of gree,, it does not matter whand you see its power on the video  :-))
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on December 03, 2020, 06:15:12 pm
While tidying up today I found the video I took of the of this engine running on air, I thought it was lost. The pressure was about 7 psi, thats about as much as my airbrush compressor will do. The engine ran pretty fast and very smoothly, its not screwed down to the bench, it just sat there purring away, quite mesmerising to watch. Any way enough chit chat heres the link
  https://youtu.be/p5didhgcjZI (https://youtu.be/p5didhgcjZI)


Hopefully I will be running it on steam before Christmas so hope to post another video then.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on January 10, 2021, 03:18:11 pm
Well today was the long awaited day, I have a boiler on my bench that I am getting ready for another project, it seemed a shame to waste the steam so I rigged up some pipe and an oiler an ran my MTB 1B 180 for the first time on steam - this day has been a long time coming. Next time I run it it I will screw it down so that the full rev range can be enjoyed. Anyway here is the link to the video, thank you for your help, support and patience waiting for today. https://youtu.be/euHzoMmPScA (https://youtu.be/euHzoMmPScA)
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: ooyah/2 on January 10, 2021, 04:00:10 pm
Hi Dave,
Yes it runs very well, congrats on a good re-furb..


I see that there is a bad leak either from the cylinder head or the packing gland on the valve rod.


Very easy to fix, if it's the head a simple brown paper gasket is all that will be required, looking back at the early pics the head and the cylinder machined faces are very poor.
If you don't want to use the brown paper some cylinder head gasket paste from Halfords will do the trick.


On the valve rod try tightening up the packing nut , if that doesn't cure it put some more 1/16"  graphite packing round the rod and screw up the nut.


George.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: SteamboatPhil on January 10, 2021, 05:17:13 pm
Nice one Dave, looking good, I had the same observations as George and as the has said a very easy fix.
Keep going  :-))
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: KNO3 on January 11, 2021, 12:02:25 pm
Seems to run very well. I hope you are going to paint it, to protect it from rust.
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on January 17, 2021, 03:17:38 pm
Have been working on my boiler to stop a couple of minor leaks, now almost there, just one last go at lapping in the 180 union cock and it should be fine. Anyway it would be a shame to waste the steam so here is my Stuart MTB 1a Featherweight engine under steam https://youtu.be/kFAMFzkMNnw (https://youtu.be/kFAMFzkMNnw) It is the racing cousin of the MTB 180 made from aluminium with hard brass bores. Now apart from putting some oil in it and blowing in the inlet I have not done anything to this, so I was pleased with the way it ran. All I need to do is clean it up and stop some of the leaks. Also I took the chance to run the MTB 180 that has been restored for longer and at full revs under steam, so here it is, enjoy - just a fabulous sight and smell - hot oil and steam. https://youtu.be/25q2FCK0DoI (https://youtu.be/25q2FCK0DoI)
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: DBS88 on January 17, 2021, 04:32:28 pm
Here is a second clip of the MTB 180 running fast on steam https://youtu.be/abuFc46Ce2o (https://youtu.be/abuFc46Ce2o)[/size][/color]
Title: Re: Stuart MTB 1B - questions?
Post by: SteamboatPhil on January 17, 2021, 04:57:55 pm
I can almost smell the hot steam oil...nice one Dave  :-))