On low compression engines
- Thread starter updraught
- Start date
Joe K
Well-known member
This kind of goes with my thought about Gen-Gas fuel used in the Model A. Low compression Model A engines seem very adaptable to a "wood fired" mode of transportation.
https://www.driveonwood.com/static/media/uploads/pdf/fema_plans.pdf
And we all know where our current "betters" would have us go - and its not internal combustion. But not to bring this thread "political."
Still, Gen-Gas was brought to a very high degree of refinement in the years before and during WWII. I believe it is Vince Falter at his Fordgarage.com site who covers somewhat the German G28 engine - which was extensively used in this fuel.
A discussion of various "heads" used on the Model A/G28 including those used on wood gas fuel is shown at https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/headcompressionratio.htm
I note that generally the G28 "GenGas engines" head are GREATER than 7 to 1 compression - which to me is a surprise - but makes sense considering the probable power output one can achieve with a lower energy dense fuel such as GenGas.
Still learning...
Joe K
https://www.driveonwood.com/static/media/uploads/pdf/fema_plans.pdf
And we all know where our current "betters" would have us go - and its not internal combustion. But not to bring this thread "political."
Still, Gen-Gas was brought to a very high degree of refinement in the years before and during WWII. I believe it is Vince Falter at his Fordgarage.com site who covers somewhat the German G28 engine - which was extensively used in this fuel.
A discussion of various "heads" used on the Model A/G28 including those used on wood gas fuel is shown at https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/headcompressionratio.htm
I note that generally the G28 "GenGas engines" head are GREATER than 7 to 1 compression - which to me is a surprise - but makes sense considering the probable power output one can achieve with a lower energy dense fuel such as GenGas.
Still learning...
Joe K
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nkaminar
Well-known member
With the wood gas "GenGas" that Joe is talking about, there was a lot of fiddling with the air/gas ratio as the wood in the generator burned. There was also a lot of wear in the engines because of the lack of adequate filtering of the abrasive particles. So, with modern filtering, and a computer controlled "carburetor" this may be a practical solution to high fuel prices, or the lack of fuel in the future. I would think that a pickup truck would be a better vehicle choice because the generator could be mounted in the bed of the truck. I have no idea what the ideal compression ratio would be.
The flame that you see when you burn wood in your fireplace is the wood gas burning. It is a combination of hydrogen, carbon, and carbon monoxide, plus some volatile organic hydrocarbons.
I am really impressed by the Lance Bulldog tractor. One cylinder, two-cycle, huge displacement, rpm you can count, and burning any kind of oil. A good source of used crankcase oil is the marinas and boatyards where people change the oil in their boats.
The flame that you see when you burn wood in your fireplace is the wood gas burning. It is a combination of hydrogen, carbon, and carbon monoxide, plus some volatile organic hydrocarbons.
I am really impressed by the Lance Bulldog tractor. One cylinder, two-cycle, huge displacement, rpm you can count, and burning any kind of oil. A good source of used crankcase oil is the marinas and boatyards where people change the oil in their boats.
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