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.