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Finally after 14 months working on it, the engine is now complete. The full build log can be found at : http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/f23/kiwi-mk2-engine-15903/ When I started this project I noticed that there wasn't a lot of information on the internet about this engine, so it...

Hi and a prosperous new year to all. I am going to redo the piston for my Kiwi from aluminium bar stock (when the shops reopen). I have a question about the piston ring groove. Should the depth of the groove be the same as the width of the piston ring or should it be slightly deeper...

Hi In my quest to get my Kiwi running I would like to replace the two compression springs that came with the kit with stiffer springs. I am having difficulty in finding spring suppliers in the UK who deal in small quantities. I can have them made locally but it is a bit expensive. From where...

Hi I am using a Denso U20M-U plug on my Kiwi and the gap is set at 0.5mm. What is the correct gap for this type of plug. Also, when I try it out, there is a spark between the gap but I do not know how a healthy spark should look like. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks Vince

Wow. Just had a look at the users online and there were 1489 active users. 102 members and 1387 guests. Viewers in the Engines from Castings section were 785. I do not think I have ever seen these numbers. Vince

Here I am again. In a short while I will need to do the valves for the Kiwi that I am building. They will made of stainless steel. I have been searching for info on this forum of how to do these valves. Has anybody made a step-by-step post on how to make valves here. If so can you point me in...

Sorry if I am becoming a pain, but I just hit another snag with the piston. This morning I was looking at the piston dimensions and I think I am missing a dimension on the plans. I cannot find the height of the piston. It could be I am still fuzzy this morning (came back from work in the middle...

Good morning I need again to tap your expertise. I have just finished honing the cylinder liner for my Kiwi MK II and would like to ask some questions about piston rings. I have searched the internet and this forum but could not find exactly what I need. The piston rings that came with the...

Hi gents I am working on my Kiwi conrod. Today I drilled and tapped the big end where the bolts will hold the big end cap. The next step should be to saw the big end but I am having a little difficulty how I should do it. I was thinking of marking a line through the centreline of the big end...

Hi I have another question for my Kiwi build. I might start on the cast iron cylinder liner soon. The inside diameter should be 25.4mm and it has to be honed. How much material should I leave for honing? Also would these tools be any good for honing...

Good day all I am at the moment building the Westbury's Kiwi Mk2 engine and have a build log running in another part of this forum. I have finished the crank and now working on the bronze counterweights which will be bolted to the crank webs. The holes in the crank webs (see photo) will be...

Hi I am in the process (planning) of making the crankshaft for my single cylinder Westbury's Kiwi. This is going to be my first crankshaft ever. I had a good look at George's crankshaft tutorial (http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=5673.0) from where I got some good ideas. I...

Yesterday I went out to buy ball bearing of a particular size and wanted it open ended (without shields). I could only find ball bearings with rubber shields. So I bought it and removed the rubber shields but today I could not help thinking that I might have compromised the bearing by taking the...

I have a cheapo chinese lathe which I used for the last 5 to 6 years. Lately I have been hearing unusual clicking/arcing sounds when the motor starts. Today during a lathe session the motor would not start or start with slow RPM. When it does not start if I turn the chuck by hand it would start...

I need to machine a part in gunmetal (yellow brass). The instructions specifically say "gunmetal and not brass". The raw material came in a kit. How can I distinguish between gunmetal and brass? Thanks

This week I received the Model Engineers' Workshop issue 185 and there was an article which caught my eye. It was about using tipped lathe tools and in it there was mentioned the Q-Cut parting system. http://www.greenwood-tools.co.uk/shopscr23.html...

After trawling the forum for the last 2 weeks and learning new things from the postings, I have finally taken the plunge. I have decided to build my first IC engine. I also took a decision to use castings which is also a first for me. I bought the kit of the Kiwi Mk2 from Hemingway Kits...

Hi all I am 54 and work in the airline industry. I live in Malta, that small dot on the map in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. I love metal machining and have a decent setup. I enjoy long term projects and just finished my last one. I decided I needed a new challenge and thought it might...

Hi everbody This is my first post on this forum. I am considering building an Edgar T. Westbury KIWI Mark 2 engine using castings from Hemingway. I already have the plans and build notes but have not acquired the castings yet. I am not new to hobby metal machining but this would be my first...