Quote Originally Posted by mklotz View Post
I've built several flamenfressers and, in each case, used aluminum with integral cooling fins for the cylinders and stainless steel for the pistons. I've never seen a water jacket on a flame eater although I did build a Ringbom engine that uses one.

They're tricky to get running. If the cylinder is cool (as when first trying to get running), the hot gas will lose its heat too quickly after it's "ingested" and there won't be sufficient vacuum when the valve closes completely. I get around this by using the alcohol lamp to preheat the cylinder before trying to start the engine.

Flame position is critical. Ideally you want the hot gas near the top of the flame to enter the cylinder.

Keep trying; these engines are finicky but great fun when you finally get them to work.



You do really nice work! I wish I had your skills. I bought this one, and you can find several
videos on the internet where people have reached the same conclusion, there's just not enough
radiator area to dissipate the heat. It runs great until the cylinder gets hot (really hot) and then
it slowly grinds to a halt. I also tried cooling it in the freezer, but like you said, it won't run if it's too
cold because the plasma cools before the piston is in the right position. Seems that valve timing
depends on the heat dissipation of the engine. A bigger diameter or longer piston would have different
characteristics. Interesting engine with very different challenges from a ICE or steam engine.