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The Aircraft Engine Historical Society
encourages the collecting and restoration of aircraft engines, both by
individual collectors and by museums.
Collections
Graham
White's Rare Continental IV-1430

The Art and Fun of Collecting Aircraft Engines
by Graham White
"It seems that the more difficult a task is to accomplish the
more satisfying it becomes. With this thought in mind, collecting aircraft
engines is the most gratifying hobby one can imagine."
Restorations
Brett James of James Aeronautics is restoring
this Renault 4P03 A to running condition.
Fiat A 12 being restored by
"Sal" Salomon for the New Engine Air Museum
Benz Bz IVu of 1918 Vintage
This engine is part of the
collection of the
Brussels Air
Museum, which has an extensive collection of engines dating from the early
days of flight (pre-1914 ) up to the present day. These images appear through
the generosity of Mike Lewis. They may not be reproduced in any form without the
express written consent of Mr. Lewis.
The Benz Bz IVu engine powered both
the LVG CVI and the Halberstadt CV two seater artillery spotting aircraft. Both
aircraft were constructed in 1918 and it is probable that the LVG never saw
action. The Halberstadt is unique in that it is the only surviving example in
the world.
Engine Specifications
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6 cylinder in-line |
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Piston displacement |
18,800 cm3 or 18.8 litres |
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Bore |
145 mm |
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Stroke |
190 mm |
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Aluminium pistons |
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Engine mass |
370 kgs |
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Inlet valve trave |
11.8 mm |
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Exhaust valve travel |
11.25 mm |
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Magnetos are set to 30° advance and
geared to turn at 2/3 engine speed. |
Engine performance
All
engines were tested before removal to the aircraft companies that used them and
the power output (which varied slightly) was stamped on the maker’s plaque which
in the case of the LVG is regrettably missing.
Nominal power 200 hp increasing to a maximum 230 hp at sea level
Nominal RPM 1,400
Oil consumption 10 grams / hr
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General view of Bz IVu engine showing carbs and inlet manifolds. As the engine was partially exposed in operation the manifolds were lagged to reduce icing. Note also the absence of a magneto, there should be one on each side of the engine but after nearly 90 years they are inevitably missing. The magnetos are of the Bosch ZH6 type. |
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The exhaust side of the engine (with exhaust stack removed). Notice the large air scoop which protruded from the right hand side of the fuselage, the air warmed as it passed through cut-outs in the crankcase to the other side of the engine and the carburettors. Again the right hand side magneto and a generator (used principally to heat the pilot and observers suits and provide power for the elementary radio equipment) are missing. Oil pump and filter can be seen at the bottom of the sump. |
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Very long push rods and valve gear evident as well as painted engine (military designation) serial number. |
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Rear view of engine showing water pump assembly and drive mechanism for the generator. To the left hand side of the engine can be seen the “all-in-one” fuel pump/mg interrupter drive/tacho drive mechanism. |
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Front engine view with prominent oil-filler tube. The red paint on the cylinders denotes that this is a high compression “uberkomprimiert” version of a Bz IV engine, hence the designation BzIVu. |
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This is the general state of the engine after an attempted restoration in the early 1990’s (essentially a cosmetic job with very little actual restoration). At this stage the engine could not be turned over. |
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Exhaust ports and valve-gear. Note the only original remaining spark plug. |
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Overhead view of engine. The valve gear was completely exposed to the elements in flight and the lack of a rocker-box cover must have covered the pilot in oil. |
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The prop was completely ungeared taking its drive directly from the crank shaft. It turned in an anti-clockwise direction as seen from the photo. |
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Each cylinder was equipped with two inlet and two exhaust valves which were pushrod operated. Note also the tappets which are in fact small circular bearings. |
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Restoration begins with an attempt to “free” the engine. After constant applications of large amounts of WD-40 over a period of 6months, squirted directly into the plug holes, the engine could be turned over 85 years later! This will now facilitate removal of the cylinders and all the valve gear. |
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The spark plugs are not the originals but are used simply to prevent any further moisture from entering the bores. |
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The spark plugs are not the originals but are used simply to prevent any further moisture from entering the bores. |
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In the previous restoration “attempt” the valve gear was painted black. In service this would have been bare untreated metal |
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Oil Pump |
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More information on this restoration at
1914-1918 Connections
It Runs!
Runners
Sources and Methods
All
about British Fasteners
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material for this section!
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