Is there anyone here who builds custom engines? I would like to build a prototype

[gustafson]

Cummins makes engines that go how many hundred thousand miles when maintained properly.

Hell beater Accords all have a quarter million miles and still running

But you are going to do better in your basement

I thought there might be an interesting reason.........

 

[Cole2534]

If you've got to ask...

Edit- why is when I hear people bitch about modern autos they almost invariably drive a total piece of shit? You know the look- wrinkled body panels, mismatched tires unwashed since purchase, cracked glass and faded headlamps.

That person either bought a POS or created a POS but it's always the OEM's fault. Strange.

 

[Big B]

Hp and torque is not something I have thought of, I just know I want to build a engine that will out last the crappy manufacturing of Dodge, Ford, and chevy. I am tired of driving piece of crap vehicles made over and over from these companies who have been around so long and still have trouble putting out a solid automobile.

I know several people who have those trucks with diesel engines in them that have well over 300,000 miles on them and still going strong so I don't see a problem with them. Looks like a solution in search of a problem.

 

[Big B]

Are you planning on building an engine with square pistons? Something so dramatically different from the engines being built today that you need to start from scratch and build your own engine. If I had some ideas of my own for making an engine better I'd be much more apt to try to incorporate them into an existing engine than to try to build one from scratch.

But it's your life so get busy.

 

[Milland]

Are you planning on building an engine with square pistons? Something so dramatically different from the engines being built today that you need to start from scratch and build your own engine. If I had some ideas of my own for making an engine better I'd be much more apt to try to incorporate them into an existing engine than to try to build one from scratch.

But it's your life so get busy.

Honda did a bike engine with oval pistons (with twin rods) in the late 70's and early 80's. Square gets you into some of the same sealing issues that Wankels have.

 

[MetalArtistCandy]

I dont plan to use off the shelf parts on the engine. Most likely on some of the suspension though.

Yes cummins is a nice engine, but dodge transmissions have been prone to failure. Every ford my family has ever owned has also had transmission issues. As well as other things.

Why are some of you aholes when I am trying to do something? Probably because you are a fan boys.

Now I dont want to get into judgements and arguments. i thought this was a mans forum! A machinists forum! Not a bunch of winey ass pricks who seem to want to bitch more than being helpful! If you dont want to contribute to my

 

[dkmc]

I am looking to build a diesel engine. I want to see what is possible in some of the ideas I have had. Curious who out there would be willing to help guide my way.
Also a rough cost on machining a engine would be nice... but I know there are a ton of variables to that cost like size and materials.

If you want to make yourself useful, design it to burn water not diesel.

 

[Milland]

Oi, I've worked long and hard to become the best whiny-ass prick I can be!

 

[Milland]

If you want to make yourself useful, design it to burn water not diesel.

Fusion power! Or are you going all Brown's Gas on us?

 

[MetalArtistCandy]

I dont plan to use off the shelf parts on the engine. Most likely on some of the suspension though.

Yes cummins is a nice engine, but dodge transmissions have been prone to failure. Every ford my family has ever owned has also had transmission issues. As well as other things.

Why are some of you aholes when I am trying to do something? Probably because you are a fan boys.

Now I dont want to get into judgements and arguments. i thought this was a mans forum! A machinists forum! Not a bunch of winey ass pricks who seem to want to bitch more than being helpful! If you dont want to contribute to helping me then please shit the hell up.


****. ATTENTION MODERATORS ****

Please delete any of the not helpful comments. I am here to learn, not to be spit on. This forum seems to be full of great information and helpful people. Please dont let these idiots ruin this forum and turn it into another forum I stop using.

I actually tried to get some help on designing a wooden boat on another forum and was run off by these same types of negative people who never seem to want to expand their knowledge and learn nee skills. These are people who are happy with being mediocre. I was told by these people that I would not be able to design and build my own “Criscraft” and also that “one can not designs, build, and fly a airplane” in which I told them my uncle designed, built and flew airplanes!

 

[Scottl]

I am looking to build a diesel engine. I want to see what is possible in some of the ideas I have had. Curious who out there would be willing to help guide my way.

Hp and torque is not something I have thought of, I just know I want to build a engine that will out last the crappy manufacturing of Dodge, Ford, and chevy. I am tired of driving piece of crap vehicles made over and over from these companies who have been around so long and still have trouble putting out a solid automobile.

SERIOUSLY ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

You want to design and build “something better” than the pros do because you’re “tired of driving piece of crap vehicles”? Do you have a budget of at least 5 to 10 million dollars? I’ve got a better idea that will cost a lot less money. Pick an existing older vehicle you consider solid and hire a pro shop to do an engine swap and suspension upgrade. Then you can spend your time dressing it up with some homemade “billet” parts.

Are you thirteen years old? Several very experienced people on this forum have been telling you what they KNOW, not BS that feeds your naïve, immature fantasy, so you respond by calling them assholes.

If you really think you could build a better diesel, go and do what the pioneers did way back when. Build it as a single cylinder engine and mount it in a simple cart like chassis for testing.

****. ATTENTION MODERATORS ****

Please delete any of the not helpful comments. I am here to learn, not to be spit on. This forum seems to be full of great information and helpful people. Please dont let these idiots ruin this forum and turn it into another forum I stop using.

I actually tried to get some help on designing a wooden boat on another forum and was run off by these same types of negative people who never seem to want to expand their knowledge and learn nee skills.

Be careful what you ask for.

The posts most likely to be deleted are your own. This is a forum for professional machinists and shop owners, and while they can be incredibly tolerant of off topic posts there are limits. Your posts remind me of so many of the “I want to build my own lathe” type that belong on a hobby forum. By your own admission you already wore out your welcome on a boat builders forum and my guess is also a few others.

 

[MetalArtistCandy]

To everyone else willing to help me, Thank you! I greatly appreciate the help!

So if you have some experience with prototyping, please send some great advice my way, some books that would be worth reading.

Now I go to a lot of auctions, and have seen old CNC mills sell for nothing because they are old, i like everyone else would prefer new cnc machines, but for a first attempt at a prototype, would one of these machines be fine? I am sure it would be easier to have some other company make the engine for me though.

What machines are used to make a cylinder block?

Also which lathes are good for doing a crank shaft?

 

[MetalArtistCandy]

SERIOUSLY ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

You want to design and build “something better” than the pros do because you’re “tired of driving piece of crap vehicles”? Do you have a budget of at least 5 to 10 million dollars? I’ve got a better idea that will cost a lot less money. Pick an existing older vehicle you consider solid and hire a pro shop to do an engine swap and suspension upgrade. Then you can spend your time dressing it up with some homemade “billet” parts.

Are you thirteen years old? Several very experienced people on this forum have been telling you what they KNOW, not BS that feeds your naïve, immature fantasy, so you respond by calling them assholes.

If you really think you could build a better diesel, go and do what the pioneers did way back when. Build it as a single cylinder engine and mount it in a simple cart like chassis for testing.

No! Apparently I was not clear enough. My apologies. I want to build and sell trucks! Not make a one off truck for me to drive. If I was going to just build my own truck for me, I would go with the Cummins engine and do exactly what you are saying, except build it from the ground up custom like the Shelby.

 

[plastikdreams]

To everyone else willing to help me, Thank you! I greatly appreciate the help!

So if you have some experience with prototyping, please send some great advice my way, some books that would be worth reading.

Now I go to a lot of auctions, and have seen old CNC mills sell for nothing because they are old, i like everyone else would prefer new cnc machines, but for a first attempt at a prototype, would one of these machines be fine? I am sure it would be easier to have some other company make the engine for me though.

What machines are used to make a cylinder block?

Also which lathes are good for doing a crank shaft?

Unless you want a million setups a 5 axis machine is a must for heads, trunion z is even better. Along with a fairly Stout and accurate lathe you are going to need a balancing setup.


Let's start here, what size engine are you looking to build at this point.

 

[Cole2534]

...⁰please send some great advice my way...

You're wasting your time.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[plastikdreams]

No! Apparently I was not clear enough. My apologies. I want to build and sell trucks! Not make a one off truck for me to drive. If I was going to just build my own truck for me, I would go with the Cummins engine and do exactly what you are saying, except build it from the ground up custom like the Shelby.

Ok this thread just got too heavy...

 

[MetalArtistCandy]

Let's start here, what size engine are you looking to build at this point.

A V8 around 7L should be fine. I really want to design without a cams, go electronic valves/freevalves.

Freevalve | Setting Engines Free

I would like to put the turbo on top as well. All this should allow for some good designs.

 

[MetalArtistCandy]

Ok this thread just got too heavy...

Well only 1 ton That is the only size I plan to build at startup.

 

[APD]

Hp and torque is not something I have thought of, I just know I want to build a engine that will out last the crappy manufacturing of Dodge, Ford, and chevy. I am tired of driving piece of crap vehicles made over and over from these companies who have been around so long and still have trouble putting out a solid automobile.

To build an engine better than those produced by the large corporations who have a century of research and development, large teams or engineers, chemists, metallurgists, sophisticated computer modeling software, immense production, manufacturing, and testing facilities all established and at their disposal will require several hundred million dollars at minimum.
Is that within your budget?

It is absurd to think you can build something better on your own.

If you are really passionate about engine design, you would be better off going to school for engineering, and trying to get a job with cummins etc. and hopefully work your way up to a position where your ideas are incorporated into engine designs.

If your ideas are good, modifying an existing engine design may within the technological & budgetary reach of a small shop, but you aren't going to be building a prototype from scratch that comes anywhere near the capabilities of a modern engine.

Also, keep in mind that Daimler and VW have ceased development and research of any new internal combustion engines in favor of electric powertrains. Let that be an indicator of where the industry is, and where your better engine will end up.

Cummins already has engines that routinely last 500,000 miles.

The latest advances in engines are mostly in highly sophisticated fueling, variable valve/ignition timing, electronic monitoring, advanced metallurgy and coatings.

Not trying to spoil your dreams, just trying to be realistic.

 

[Scottl]

A V8 around 7L should be fine. I really want to design without a cams, go electronic valves/freevalves.

Freevalve | Setting Engines Free

I would like to put the turbo on top as well. All this should allow for some good designs.

I repeat my advice - start with a small single cylinder engine prototype until you get the technology worked out. Even then, scaling up will be a lot harder than you might think.

I'll give you one hint for free:

If you are planning to go with electronic valves you will need to learn how to design a high speed driver. These require a stepped output pulse, one that starts at a high enough voltage to quickly open the valve and then drops to a minimal holding voltage so the valve will close quickly when de-energized. The solenoids also require careful design in order to be able to operate at high RPMs.