I think the timing is critical on this engine. I quote from Mr Ridders web page
Adjustment of the engine.
As said there is hardly anything to adjust to this engine. The once-only adjustment concerns fixing the striker at the right position of the pusher rod. When this is done right you see the...
My piston is dead even with the bottom of the port. It is hard to show in the photo. With the piston is at TDC there is only about .020 between valve and piston. The pushrod pulls the valve to completely cover the port about 10 to 20 degs before BDC. If you push the valve closed while the piston...
Congratulations on getting it running!
Mine is a little finicky to get started, the flame has to be in just the right place and it seems like it has to warm up a bit. Once it gets to the right temp itstarts easily. Your are right about making the piston pivot, a real pain. I made mine out of...
When I built mine I tried silver solder, took to much heat. So I tried regular electronics solder. Much easier and much stronger than I had imagined, I have had no joint failures.
Thank you for the compliment. My machines have felt left out lately. I am spending to much time with my recently acquired 3D printer. I have a couple of Ridders coffee cut stirlings about half done I need to finish.
Thank you for the info, I will have to try that.
Your engine in the photo looks very well done. I was going to polish mine up but just got involved in another project, maybe one day.