Issue 564 January 2018

Extracts from the National Steam Centre Newsletter

Front Cover A very early table top configuration of an internal combustion boat engine photographed in Iceland by Len Brighton

Also in this Issue

Readers Feedback - Unidentified Portable Boiler - Sentinel Diesels in Australia January 2018 STEAM SUPREME 2

A 2 cylinder and a couple of single cylinder engines . All 2 stroke petrol of the type used in small fishing boats

Prompted by some photos of small Scandinavia Marine Engines Len Brighton came across , in a Fishermans Garden at Hellissandur on the Snaefellsues Peninsular Iceland, we take a closer look at this unique style of stationary engine.

The Feature Engine in this memorial garden to fishermen was this 68 hp Swedish built Bolinder crankcase scavenged Hot Bulb 2 stroke “semi diesel” engine . A very popular form of marine engine in Scandinavia but little exported to other parts of the world. It works on the same principle as a Bulldog tractor and is capable of running on cheap fuel . They were durable and reliable no doubt helped by the absence of an electrical system that could be troublesome in a damp salty environment. Left This particular engine came from the 1916 Denmark built motor boat Svanur SH– 183 used mainly for shipping merchandise from the capital of Iceland to the outlying peninsulars. It stranded in 1932 and although the crew of 7 was saved the boat broke up and the engine lay in the sea until 2003 when a US naval helicopter moved it to its present place. January 2018 STEAM SUPREME 3

Bolinder are very typical of Scandinavian marine engines Generally the hot bulb engine drove the propeller shaft and possibly the best known. They started engine manufacture directly from the crankshaft with only a clutch to put it in and about 1894 but out of gear. Being a 2 stroke reversing was usually achieved soon by running the engine backwards. This only required stopping standardized on the engine and then bumping it over in the opposite direction 2 stroke Hot as the eccentric driven fuel and water pump work going in Bulb and by either direction . Fitted with a large flywheel the hot bulb 1918 was the engine was very reliable and economical and could be leading depended on to slog away at low rpm all day in all seas manufacture of powering fishing trawlers and barges. this type of Petrol Engines The Fishermans Garden in Iceland also had a engine in the number of these on display ( see opening photograph ) They world selling had a wide application in smaller craft such as fishing dingys them widely in and pleasure craft . They could be either 2 stroke or 4 stroke Europe but both of which over time lead to the evolution of engines with virtually unknown in Australia . In 1950 the company was bought by AB Volvo to concentrate on construction equipment

Above Cross section of a Bolinder engine . Simple construction is evident with only 3 major moving parts . Hot Bulb Principle At the top of the engine is the uncooled Hot Bulb . During operation fuel is sprayed into this and it vaporizes as it impinges on the hot metal but does not ignite due to lack of oxygen. As the piston rises air from the cylinder is forced into the bulb which then allows combustion to take place. To start a blow lamp must be applied to the outside of the bulb but once running it is removed as combustion produces sufficient heat to assist ignition. Lubrication is total loss with oil dripped into the crankcase and cylinder walls with any surplus finding its way up past the piston then being burnt. typical Scandinavian characteristics. Another hot bulb engine Above A early particularly interesting 4 also unfamiliar to our eyes is stroke example caught Len’s attention this SABB ( no not SAAB but unfortunately came with no as goggle kept trying to give information . me ) from the Damscard The unusual open cankcase construction Motorfabrick of Bergen , seems to be derived from the” table top” Norway . Founded in 1927 steam engine but the bedplate casting they specialized in Lifeboat with its extension for the clutch and thrust engines where dependability bearing suggests its has always been an is of utmost importance . I.C. engine. Clearly it is a 4 stroke with Still going today as part of the camshaft and exposed timing gears the Frydenb0 group they are hung off the rear table legs. Features to one of the leading suppliers become standard for this region are the of marine products and water cooled exhaust pot and raised services but no longer make pedestal mounted countershaft with chain their own engines. drive for cranking the engine . The Right An almost complete Ignition system is not obvious but with no SABB hot bulb . It is sign of magneto drive it might be hot reversed by starting tube , a challenging system under cold backwards . damp windy Nordic conditions. A rare January 2018 STEAM SUPREME 4 engine indeed . Len remarked that the iron components of this engine are very Over time the petrol engines became more refined such as the heavily corroded after 70 years exposed to salt water but other ALBIN boat motor on parts of bronze look as good as new. display . This is a good example of electrolytic corrosion . Albin By the 1950’s these This occurs when dissimilar metals are in contact with each engines had been other in a conductive liquid such as salt water. A corrosion developed to a high degree cell is formed , similar to a battery, and current flows between of refinement and were the iron and bronze breaking down the iron while protecting available in a range from the bronze (Electro plating in reverse ) single cylinder up to 4 Below Split water jacket and heavy corrosion have taken it’s cylinder and featuring toll on this cylinder . magneto ignition The silver paint recently applied to the engines and reversing seem to offer some protection and transforms gearboxes. what , from earlier photos , could be perceived as Electric start was a rusty pile of junk into an eye catching exhibit . even available Maybe we can try the same on some of our initially through a engines that are languishing outside ? combined generator / starter . These features and their higher power output and wider rpm range made them popular for motor launches and yachts . With the winding up of production in 1986 the spare parts division was taken over by Fors Marin . Today such is the popularity of the Heritage wooden boats movement and the desire to keep them authentic Fors Above Cover of current spare parts book has started manufacturing Acknowledgement Fors Marin spare parts using latest materials and CNC methods . These even extend to cylinders which often suffer water jacket damage through freezing or corrosion . Such is the range of parts now Summary These engines have features developed to available full engines can give a high degree of effectiveness and reliability , be built. Fors have now often through simplicity rather than sophistication , supplied over 100 new resulting in engines little known to outsiders but none old style engines to the less interesting to engine enthusiasts. classic boat owners. Thanks to Len for sharing his Icelandic photos of a type of engine designed in a region whose economy Corrosion Constant is dependant on safe passage over treacherous seas in exposure to sea water and small boats so they made sure they got it right. salty atmosphere take its Acknowledgements toll on boat engines in Len Brighton particularly for the photos this region . Wikipedia Right The connecting Fors Marin web site rod of the Bolinder is just flaking away to Warwick Bryce nothing . January 2018 STEAM SUPREME 5

STILL A MYSTERY Mystery Vintage In October issue of Steam Supreme an appeal went out to readers to help identify the make and Machine year of this unusual vintage portable boiler. Well we have had the best minds in the world on the job and it’s identity still remains a mystery but some progress has been made . The unexpected help came from Old Glory’s Technical Editor Derek Rayner who then reined in the assistance of Ray Hooley the worlds greatest authority on Ruston Engines . Here is what we have

from Derek Rayner - Portable boiler Identity Above The picture that started it all. Hello Warwick, Following receipt of Steam Supreme No 561, I’ve been trying to establish the maker of the portable boiler seen on page 11.

Unfortunately, this has been entirely unsuccessful!!

However, I do now know that it’s not a Robey and it’s not one from the ‘Ruston’ family. It is therefore possible that it could be an R,S & J - but I’m not familiar with those and I don’t know anyone in the UK to ask who is likely to know…. I’ve tried the Road Loco Society 'portable man' and he can’t help either, I’m afraid….

He then enlisted Ruston Historian Ray Hooley’s help

Hello Ray, I thought it might be a Robey but apparently it’s not. It doesn’t look like a Marshall to me either - so I thought I’d ask you whether you might be able to say whether it might be a Ruston / Hornsby derivative, please, and perhaps therefore put a name to the manufacturer of it . Kind regards, Derek

Here is Ray’s response

Hello Derek. I am attaching a picture of the only Ruston portable boiler that I can find. It was used mainly for powering oil well drills, but also for driving winches, pumps, etc. Regards. Ray.

Well it does not look like this rather interesting Ruston with it’s unusual firebox either so Derek thinks it is probably not one but asks Can we get a photo from the firebox end as it may show a few identifiable features . Over to you Neil , can you get a couple more photos from the man with the portable boiler ?

Acknowledgements to Ray Hooley and Derek Rayner for info and picture . Warwick Bryce Petroleum drilling Portable Boiler for 90 lbs and 100 lbs pressure per inch January 2018 STEAM SUPREME 6

Sentinel Diesel ANOTHER MYSTERY Lorry While we are following up last years stories a bit more information has turned up on Sentinel Diesel Waggons see July Steam Supreme issue 568 The story started when John Lourie showed me a photo taken on the corner of Princes Hwy and Blackburn rd of a Sentinel Diesel waggon his father used to drive in the 1960’s . This raised the question how many came to Australia and do any exist ? Despite effort by lots of people we really cannot answer the question however some snippets of information has surfaced The most exciting was Peter Morrow remembering he had some photos of Sentinel trucks in his archives . After a long wait they finally surfaced and where eagerly studied . Right Peters print of a Sentinel captioned “Hume H/way Cambellfield 1961 22 yard Scoop 11’ 4 “ wide Unregistered Trailer “.

I am not exactly sure what is going on here but as both photos are courtesy CRB / Vicroads it looks like these jobs were sanctioned by them.

Left Black and White photo captioned “Princes H/way East section 2 ( widened section West of Moe 1961 “

The truck is towing a wheeled bucket loader on a pig trailer with what looks like another bucket on the tray . The Holden station wagons and box trailer in the picture sets the scene for the 60’s as does the widened ! highway with trees right to the edge.

Unfortunately closer study shows all 3 pictures are of the same truck so that still only gives us 1 Sentinel for sure . January 2018 STEAM SUPREME 7

Sentinel Diesels cont. Peter Lynch’s efforts on the HCVC forum have born some fruits particularly the discovery of advertisements for trucks and industrial engines spanning late 1951 to 1954 in Australia. The latest information is :

Sentinel exported some new 6 cylinder bus chassis to Oz during 1957. The bus division fizzled out during 1956 due to serious lack of sales. The company had closed down and all remaining stock had to be disposed of. Sentinel had 4 running bus chassis left which never got their bodies fitted. These chassis could be adapted to truck work. These 4 trucks were delivered to: British Engineering & Appliances (distributor), Adelaide, Australia. These trucks were all fitted with beer dray bodies and delivered to: Tooth's Brewery, Sydney. Nobody know what happened to them (presumably scrapped) but, an interesting tag on this subject. HCVC Forum Stephen

Other confirm these chassis were made into forward control trucks but recall they were used in a quarry or a mine in the Camden area of new South Wales. HCVC Forum Curious Above Photo of the interior of a recently restore Sentinel 34 Diesel in the UK. Courtesy of Peter lynch The most distinctive feature and one surely not missed by F orum contributor Dean mentions research in Truck and the Salesman is the underfloor engine allows a 3 man Bus Magazine June 1953 revealed an article about Clintons cab due to the absence of an engine hump. Nattai Colliery of Camden New South Wales. At that time the company had 5 Sentinel trucks in it fleet of many trucks. The article states that five were rigids and 3 semitrailers. There are photos of the rigids which are 6 wheelers towing 2 axle bottom dump trailers . Cheers Dean .

Finally there is mention of a Sentinel Diesel in a Wollongong scrap yard in the 1960’s.

So we can conclude a small number came to Australia but there is no evidence any survived yet we can still live in hope Warwick Bryce

S S S S S S SS S S SS S S S S SS S S

Willans Ready for Concrete. After a huge effort installing the reinforcing and form work the job is ready for the first pour of concrete. The complexity of shape meant the work took longer than hoped but it was done in time Christmas . The first pour of about 1.9 m depth comes up to the bottom of the flywheel and alternator pit and also secures the holding down bolts for the engine and outrigger bearing . Before the final pour, which is smaller , more boxing and reinforcing is required to form the engine plinth that extends above floor level. Also backfilling of the excavation needs completing to resist the bulging forces of the top layer of concrete. January 2018 STEAM SUPREME 8

Our New Mower The club has taken delivery of the A Different Stationary Engine new mulching mower made possible by a like for like Federal Steve Nichol delivered to our Museum a stationary engine that grant arranged by RON KING . fills the gap between the small single cylinder and large multi Peter Morris wasted no time putting it to work on our cylinder powerplants in our IC engine display . It is a 4 grass that is growing at a phenomenal rate with all the wet cylinder side valve petrol / kero engine badged “Manufactured warm weather and he is Expressively for the Sunshine Harvester Works”. Actually I very pleased with its highly suspect it is a Continental IXB-5 from the USA performance . The mower is a mulcher rather than a slasher so the grass is chopped up rather than just cut off meaning it disappears more quickly after mowing.

Swinging blades pivoted off a fast revolving drum to pulverize the Above The engine being side valve with 3 1/4 “ bore and 4 grass rather “ stroke essentially makes it the equivalent of 4 Rosebery than just engines built into 1 . It is a complete power pack with cutting it off. radiator , distributor , fuel tank ( not in pic ) and pto commonly used on generators , welders and water pumps but could drive all sorts of things around NSC, January 2018 STEAM SUPREME 9

Several distinguishing feature such as the inclined chaff screen Floods on the radiator , Sunshine supplied 2 compartment fuel tank Below With no sign of the lake draining Neil took the and right angle drive with sprocket to suit roller chain as well plunge and located the overflow pipe and managed to as the clutch lever in front of the radiator all match the engine unblock it. on this pick up hay bailer .

Museum Vic Pic

Above 1943 H.V. McKay , Sunshine pick up bailer the same as my uncle had. The bailer and engine could be controlled by the towing tractor’s driver leaning back . Two men rode on the bench at the back of the bailer to hand tie the wires. A favourite trick was to make an occasional extra long bail to give grief to the men making the hay stack . Mini Tractor You have all heard of the BMC Mini car , did you know there was also a BMC Mini tractor ? If you do not believe me pop down to our Museum and see Andrew Fairweather’s latest acquisition . It actually has a Diesel version of the mini 988cc engine. We look forward to hearing about the background of this product that was strongly influenced by Ferguson.

Above With the ground already saturated and the lake full the water had no where to go so it rose and rose until the lake was way back to shed 11 . The roadway between wood heap and bay 3 to 5 was also completely flooded . Luckily it did not come in under the door into the Willans hole . As it was I pumped 420 litre of seepage out of the 3.2 metre deep sump hole on Sunday but none came into the foundations . And how did it all happen ? We all remember the predictions for widespread storms at the start of December that never happened . Well a week later we got we got an isolated downpour that was not predicted and with the lake overflow block the water had no where to go .