This engine IS missing most of the time because there is no load. It is spinning free, mostly coasting. If it kept on firing it would speed up until the flywheel tears itself apart. If you want to hear one of these firing constantly it must be attached to an external load.
Fantastic. I take it it is called "The Alamo" because it sounds like the gunfight there? I have never heard such a crabbed engine note. It is filled with unpredictable malice, but the effect is hypnotic. The engineers of these must have walked around dodging imaginary ricochets, perpetually aware that it's the one you dont hear that gets you.
The engine "Hits" (fires) and then "Misses" (spins without combustion) due to the configuration of the governor and valves. When the engine misses the exhaust valve is open so there is no resistance from compression, and the intake valve stays closed so it doesn't use any fuel. The heavy flywheels allow the engines to spin for quit some time without firing when the engine has no load.
@honkycabbit some of the old ones were manually lubed. so you basically had to make sure u dripped some oil every once in a while. since there tolerances were much larger, and the engines overall were less precise, they didnt need to be lubricated as ofter or as precisely as modern engines.
Many uses.. Tractors, farm equipment, even old maytag washing machines used a small version. They would generally be linked to farm implements by a large cloth/leather strap so one engine could run several pieces of equipment. Here are a few other uses...
Only surviving example? I think the owner should watch you tube,I've found a few already.
thra5herxb12s 3 months ago
This engine IS missing most of the time because there is no load. It is spinning free, mostly coasting. If it kept on firing it would speed up until the flywheel tears itself apart. If you want to hear one of these firing constantly it must be attached to an external load.
DMahalko 5 months ago
was there any functional purpose for this engine?
TomLocura 8 months ago
@TomLocura 100 years ago you could have hooked it to many machines... but according to the sign in the video it was used to run an irrigation pump.
mustang633NY 8 months ago
Fantastic. I take it it is called "The Alamo" because it sounds like the gunfight there? I have never heard such a crabbed engine note. It is filled with unpredictable malice, but the effect is hypnotic. The engineers of these must have walked around dodging imaginary ricochets, perpetually aware that it's the one you dont hear that gets you.
Seriously fascinating.
Phocusali 11 months ago
The engine "Hits" (fires) and then "Misses" (spins without combustion) due to the configuration of the governor and valves. When the engine misses the exhaust valve is open so there is no resistance from compression, and the intake valve stays closed so it doesn't use any fuel. The heavy flywheels allow the engines to spin for quit some time without firing when the engine has no load.
PsychoMoteur 1 year ago
Nice !
Anybody knows why is it called "hit and miss" ???
vincent7520 1 year ago
@vincent7520 sound slike it's missing more than its hitting ;)
FurrtherMoor 10 months ago
too bad there arent hit & miss engines in red dead redemption! id be watching it all day!
gunny556fly 1 year ago
Great engine, looks like original condition :)
Bidone1967 1 year ago
This engine is awsome! It looks almost military like..amazing how it was used to run about anything. Gas engines like this are fun to watch.
heavenlyrikku 2 years ago
how is the cylender lubed?
honkycabbit 2 years ago
@honkycabbit some of the old ones were manually lubed. so you basically had to make sure u dripped some oil every once in a while. since there tolerances were much larger, and the engines overall were less precise, they didnt need to be lubricated as ofter or as precisely as modern engines.
pepene93 1 year ago
awsome! what was the primary use for these back then?
dundermiflinpaper 2 years ago
Many uses.. Tractors, farm equipment, even old maytag washing machines used a small version. They would generally be linked to farm implements by a large cloth/leather strap so one engine could run several pieces of equipment. Here are a few other uses...
watch?v=CYHCSjfbI2M watch?v=GVpWT1CnrQQ
watch?v=mqARwXJUMhs
ReisendeEuropa 2 years ago
Say, my boss has got a 2 1/2 hp Alamo thats perfect. It was his dads and he wants to sell it. Any ideas what one in nice shape would bring? Thanks
autopts10 3 years ago