Make & break wont run

[a41capt]

Congratulations Pat, nice engine!

John W

 

[JohnBDownunder]

Interestingly, I could not see the first video just hear the sound. The YouTube link worked a treat tho. Jolly good,
John B

 

[Patrick Janson]

Thanks for the happy responses.

 

[rickhann]

Don't feel bad Pat. Damn few people are aware that there is a difference, and information on make and break engines is quite hard to come by. You're right, Make and Break engines controlled the engine speed through Making and Breaking the ignition circuit of the engine. Hit and Miss engines controlled engine speed through the use of counterweights on a governor operating a linkage to hold the exhaust valve open during the "miss" cycles. I just did a search for "Make and Break" engines, and there isn't much information available-- and some of what is available describes hit and miss engines, not make and break engines. Here is a link to a make and break engine running a small boat, but very little in the way of technical information.---Brian

Brian, are you saying that a hit and miss engine cannot have a make and break ignition system? If so, then I must disagree. Many hit and miss engines had make and break (igniters) that were speed controlled by governors. I grew up on a farm that had just such an engine (Galloway). it was a hit and miss with an igniter that was controlled by a counterweight governor. The points were in the combustion chamber and would only open (spark) when the governor would allow them to. Google "igniter" for more information.
Rick

 

[Brian Rupnow]

No Rickhann--What I am saying is that they are two distinctly different kind of engines. Agreed, there were cross overs between the two types of engine, hybrids, so to speak. "Make and Break" style engines were popular with fishing boats on the east coast, and have a distinctly different exhaust sound from a hit and miss engine. "Hit and Miss" style engines were popular on inland farms away from the seacoasts. Listen to the engine in the video link I posted. You will hear the very different sound that a "make and break" engine had, far different from that of a hit and miss.

 

[Patrick Janson]

Hi guys,
I have to stick my nose in here and say a few things. Brian, I respect your viewpoint but I must disagree. Both hit n miss engines and make n break engines are exactly the same type of engine. They both have the same parts and do the same thing. They are not different at all. They use different ways to control speed. Thats all. Make n break uses the ignition system and hit n miss uses aspiration.
The whole idea with hit n miss engines was that while the exhaust valve was kept open, the engine would breathe fresh air while not making compression. They would freewheel several strokes. This helped greatly in keeping the engine cool. Power demands were not critical and huge flywheels kept irrigation pumps turning no problem. (example) They would run for weeks at at time as long as you kept fueling and oiling.
Make n break engines were usually used where more constant power was demanded, such as boats where turning a prop was very constant. Or perhaps in a shop, powering equipment. (example) Early gas tractors used both types to provide the power needed. Much smaller flywheels were needed as the power strokes were more often.
Before I posted my engine video which I mistakenly called a make n break, I ran the engine with the flyweights wired down. I ran the engine with no speed control at all. The carb has no throttle, the engine ran free. I knew that I could control speed with the “off” switch. Yet, it ran quite nicely at about 2000 rpm constant. (guess) What would that engine be called? Can’t call it a make n break…. can’t call it a hit n miss….. it’s the same engine… but what is it? Now, it’s called a hit n miss because I cut the wire holding down the flyweights.
WW1 aircraft used an ignition cutoff system to control the speed on their rotary engines. It’s the same stuff…. control speed. (just an example)
So, thats my point. It’s all the same. They’re not different types of engines… they’re just used differently and adjusted or modified to perform the task needed. The exhaust sound is a result of the application, and the positioning and size of the pipe, and the amount of air exiting. Thats why old open engines, tractors, boats and such used a pipe sticking straight up with a rain flapper cap. Exhaust sound means nothing, Unless you’re parked next to my GTO.

Thanks, Pat

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Okay--Not going to argue. To build any type of engine and actually have it run is a great accomplishment.---Brian

 

[Patrick Janson]

Thanks Brian....

Pat