Hit & Miss Fairbanks Morse Engine 3hp

[@msmeyersmd8]

I'm not an automotive engine expert. I did study Engineering Physics and am quite familiar with engines from cars to gigantic aircraft piston and turbine engines. And early 1900s stationary gas engines that my Dad rebuilt. I was the starter. Low HP(3.5)/ Low RPM (450)/ Tons of Torque. I have read things from people experienced in automobile street and race engines with Superchargers and Turbochargers. General consensus, at high HP, seemed to be: Supercharging was much "harder" on main and rod bearings vs. turbo chargers in Dyno pulls. This matches your excellent analysis of cylinder pressures in Super vs. Turbo in this video. My general consumer experience starting in the early 1980s with turbo 4s in consumer cars to meet mileage mandates. Through today in OEM performance and attempts at better mileage cars. Has been that they do not ever last a long time. Even with feather footed driver. Worse with lead footed (>65 yo) drivers. Gale Banks and many others are exceptions. Statistically, they're rare. For cars my Son bought. The factory could test them purely by putting a blow torch with the flame blocked by a "heat shield" under the hood and running it continuously. While the engine is running. See how long the stock engine lasts with and without the blowtorch. My minimal experience and anecdotal stories shows that no blowtorch engine will last ⅓ the mileage as a stock engine. Even though the cylinder pressures and power outputs are the same. I would come home from work and my Son's factory Turbocharged car had sat for more than 3 hours. Areas on the hood we're still too hot to hold my hand on. With modern wires and electronic, that prolonged incredibly high heat has got to ruin the longevity. A qualifier: my Son does have a "lead foot". 80,000 miles and the engine was trashed. My simple add on Roots Supercharger (no intercooler) to a stock SBC L82 1973 Corvette engine. Is still going strong after 30 years. But at 65 years old, even though the clutch is now a bitch for my left leg. My "tin" (atomic weights - 118 for Sn-tin vs. 207 for Pb-lead) footed driving has caused no failures. I admit that it did need added radiator fans and retaining the OEM clutch fan/shroud to keep the coolant temps normal in stop-and-go street driving. Especially stopped at long street lights.

[@RustyGlovebox]

Thanks for the info. Take care

[@CornPopMillerJr]

I just bought a 1.5 hp Fairbanks Morse! Few things as neat as hit n miss with atmospheric valves.

[@RustyGlovebox]

I agree, really enjoy hearing them run

[@RogersFixItBarn]

Hey i was looking thru your videos and found your hit and miss engine. I have got a 2 HP Stover in my barn. I need to get it out and make a video on it.

[@RustyGlovebox]

Thanks Roger , I would like to see your engine. I have a couple more engines. They are fun to hear run.

[@vw64manyrd]

very cool engine. Thanks for this video!

[@RustyGlovebox]

+vw64manyrd I have a few more that I've restored . Cool old engines and so many designs.

[@jonatanabratte9818]

Good afternoon, my name is Jonatan, I have a Fairbank Morse Model Z 3 Hp, which I need to start up and restore. I am from Argentina, we can contact us by email. I would like you to guide me to get it up and running. If you want I can send you photos. Greetings from Argentina.