Steam Project
Posted by Mavrosian@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 67 comments
I've been building this steam car for a little while now, and I'm finally getting the point where it's recognizable as a car. I'm using modified Model A brakes and suspension on my own frame. The aesthetic I'm going for is a pre-war boat tail steam speedster.
It is powered by a 5.5" bore x 11" stroke twin flat and a monotube boiler raising steam using a large gasoline burner. The boiler is a series of tubing coils with crossover tubes on the lid to connect them. Water flows from the innermost coil to the outermost. I've got four controls on the dash. Leftmost is a momentary pushbutton switch for a buzzbox igniting the burner, a pushrod that opens the cylinder drain, a push/pull rod that opens the engine to boiler pressure, and finally a momentary pushbutton switch for the priming motor.
The engine powers the mechanical boiler feed pump, the force-feed lubricator, and an alternator. Water flow is tank>boiler feed pump>adjustable pressure regulator>boiler>engine>condenser. I intend to control the boiler's pressure (and the engine's speed a bit) primarily by controlling the feed water with the adjustable regulator. I'll have it linked to a chain and pedal. It will be necessary to balance the temperature with the pressure constantly so that I don't end up with too much superheated steam or too much pressure.
The gauges on the dash are for condenser pressure/vacuum, steam temperature, and water pressure into the boiler. On the column are four switches for various components (headlights, electric water pump to prime the system, etc.). The large gauge on the column reads boiler pressure.
The engine's valve gear is very simple. Just a camshaft on each head that actuates a spool valve for intake and exhaust. Without any adjustments for cutoff, the engine is closer in operation to a stationary steam engine that would run at a single speed and load. Valve gear is hugely complex, so I elected to use a simple design and use a CVT.
Ahzidal_@reddit
This reminds of Stanley Meyer’s water powered car
Joaquinmachine@reddit
Dude. This is awesome.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thanks :-)
HonkerTonks@reddit
This is sick. Do you have more specs, drawings or documentation of the heat engine and drive train? I have too many questions.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Sorry, I don't have any drawings. I built it in my head then went from there. I can get you more pictures of the engine itself, if that would help.
henerum@reddit
One million torque, one horsepower
dioptase-@reddit
badass
Krexci@reddit
DegreeAcceptable837@reddit
I'm talking out of my butt, only thinked on this for 1 minute.
I'm guessing your getting forward motion like a steam train.
but what if u use rx8 engine, may have to seal some intake holes and add oil injector.
first ideal was to shoot steam to rear wheels that has build in rotary engine build in, so u turn the rear wheels and steam shoots out the back, but idk how to make it, so rx8 to rx8 rear.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Wouldn't it be better to first understand what you're seeing before suggesting a design? I'm happy to explain it to you, if you want to know.
DegreeAcceptable837@reddit
yes, how are u using steam to get forward motion, I see chains, I know how train steam engine works.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
There's a jackshaft beneath the engine that will drive a CVT, then a chain drive to a modified Ford Model A rear axle.
DegreeAcceptable837@reddit
cool, I know I sound like an idiot, this is a really cool project, I been looking at steam engines for hours now
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thank you, conceptually it's all the same, but I don't think you'll find anyone using the configuration I am. It has a lot of drawbacks (it's suuuuuper long), but it's main advantage is being easy to build.
DegreeAcceptable837@reddit
I see it, push rod pushes gear in circle.
u know there is air engine, they use it for golf cars in Canada, there's no much difference in air engine to steam engine
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
There's a tremendous difference between an air motor and a steam engine.
Zealousideal_Sir_264@reddit
Where does one even acquire a steam engine? Did you have to fabricate the entire thing? Either way it's cool as hell.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thanks! There are vintage engines out there. Very expensive. Mine was fabricated from scratch, excepting the pistons/rings and connecting rods. Those are from a Cummins.
Zealousideal_Sir_264@reddit
Hell yeah. Build what you feel confident building, use factory parts when you can. Dig it.
Maxzillian@reddit
I'm having such a nergasm. Please tell me you have more of this documented somewhere?
Gosh, where do I even start... things that I immediately noticed:
Downdraft carburetor feeding the boiler blower
What appears to be a single working cylinder mounted in the middle of the bore and I assume cam/valve gear at either end?
How well do you think it'll be able to recover/condense the exhausted steam? I know that'll extend the range, but any early estimates as to by how much?
Keep us updated!
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Wow, you got it! Exactly right! Really, I'm making the engine as large as possible with no cut off and the boiler as hot as possible because math really isn't my strong suit. It's embarrassing to admit, but I failed three college math courses in a row and it nearly stopped me from getting my high school diploma.
My thought is if I make everything as Extreme as possible, then I'll have plenty to work with for power. Range is likely going to be terrible.
Maxzillian@reddit
To be totally fair to yourself, look at what you've done despite not having the best grasp in math. I wouldn't sell yourself short for a moment and I'll fully admit that doing the math up front has stopped me from doing a lot of projects that would have arguably been fun and awesome regardless.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
I figure that a little persistence can replace a lot of math XD.
desertrat84@reddit
This is equal parts awesome and terrifying. I definitely need more of this!
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thanks, hopefully I'm up to the task XD It's been a long project already!
Presenthings@reddit
Dude I dream of doing what you’re doing since I was 14 ! I love your project, please keep updating us I’m already so invested ahah Take care too, as I understand it a monotube boiler is way safer than a regular boiler, but it looks like you know what you’re doing too !
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I'll keep posting as I get some more of the major work done.
LegitBoss002@reddit
This is badass
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thanks :-)
Gregoryv022@reddit
Someone likes Doble Steam Cars.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Perhaps.
flacoman954@reddit
Leno needs to see this
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Leno's collection is too incredible for me to even aspire to building anything steam related from it XD
BertTheYellow@reddit
Building a steam powered car is on my bucket list, looks like you’re beating me to it, good luck
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thank you! It's not a competition, though. You just have to get started when you're ready. I'm happy to get you more details on how I built everything if it would help you.
ChemsDoItInTestTubes@reddit
You are building my dream project. You just proved to me that A) there's more than one of us in the world, and B) it is possible! Godspeed!
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Part of the reason I'm building it the way that I am is to show other like-minded individuals that it's possible. The milling machine and lathe makes a lot of it easier, but the engine in this configuration can be built with a drill press, harbor freight welder, and a few hand/power tools.
I'm really happy that you came away with that perspective, if you'd like any help feel free to reach out.
atmontsenioreyesore@reddit
Upvoted because steam.
Squidking1000@reddit
Is that an old Stromberg carb feeding the fuel into the burner blower? Neat! Never thought about it but no reason it can't work, all carb knows is "air flow=fuel flow" not where the flow is going! Guess you could run really lean on air:fuel as detonation really is not an issue.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Hah, yes! Good catch! I'm using a Turbocharger from a diesel engine and driving it with an electric motor to pull the air fuel mixture and push it into the boiler.
Squidking1000@reddit
This is an awesome build, best of luck and I hope to see a video of it outdragging a hellcat soon!
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
OriginalDurs@reddit
this is incredible. please link your youtube or socials if youre covering the build elsewhere?
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Sorry to say I don't have anything posted anywhere else :-P
Mark_Proton@reddit
This is the coolest project this year, possibly ever.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Honestly, if I get it going down the road at 15 miles an hour I'll count it as a huge achievement XD.
Mark_Proton@reddit
With enough torque to spin the earth though. Can't wait to see it roll.
Tom_Slick_Racer@reddit
Why a Gasoline burner instead of Propane? My layman brain says propane is easier to deal with and safer.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Gasoline has a much higher energy density and is readily available on every street corner :-)
Also, I'm much more knowledgable/comfortable with gasoline and carburetors than I am with propane, to be frank.
canti15@reddit
🤘 hell yeah brotha
Secret-Set7525@reddit
Holy Crap that is awesome!
eddirrrrr@reddit
I have no idea how any of this works but I want more of it lol. Please keep posting updates this is awesome.
AardvarkTerrible4666@reddit
That's a helluva project. Be sure to keep us up to date as you go.
I built a couple of 30" boilers for a friend who was rebuilding a couple of Stanley's back in the 90's. He did the tubes and wire wrap, I did the shell and tube sheets. It was a fun project and I got to ride in one of the cars when it was done.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Very cool! I'd love to get an opportunity to get up close and personal with a Stanley. There's a firefighter's museum near my house that has an incredible horse drawn steam double Pumper and it's just a treat to see how it's all built.
AardvarkTerrible4666@reddit
Yes, when you think about the tools they had to work with that old tech is pretty amazing. And steam is very powerful as you know. Be careful!
interceptorv8@reddit
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing this!
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
Makabajones@reddit
This is super cool, but please be careful, steam boilers are basically bombs that instead of exploding you bleed the energy off of them slowly,
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
That issue is primarily with firetube boilers that maintain a very large steam Reserve and hundreds of gallons above water's boiling point.
Just like any pressurized system, the boiling point of the liquid increases as the pressure does. A rupture of a fire tube boiler results in the entire liquid Reserve flashing into steam simultaneously and exploding. My boiler is a monotube boiler with nearly no steam Reserve. Perhaps a cup of water is boiled at a time, and the steam is used as soon as it is generated. It's a much safer design!
Regardless, steam is extremely dangerous.
Makabajones@reddit
Thank you I just remember I wasn't allowed to make a steam engine as a highschool science project because the teachers were worried it might blow up, honestly I was a C student so they were probably right, cheers and best of luck I can't wait to see that torque monster in action.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
To be fair, adult me wouldn't let teenage me do this, either XD
Good_With_Tools@reddit
And with this one post, we all know that you know more than we know about steam power. Thank you for sharing, and please post updates when you can. You now have one of the most interesting builds on Reddit.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Getting the front end up on wheels was kind of a turning point, I'm really excited to get the transmission and rear end fabricated. I'll share that when I do!
NaniwasWarship@reddit
Now this is something UNIQUE!! I love it!!
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
CocoonNapper@reddit
Amazing project. Make sure to take a few breaks, sit back, and realize what you're building. 99.999% of the people on earth wouldn't be able to do half this work. Great job.
Mavrosian@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the encouragement. I wouldn't be able to do anything I'm doing without some really incredible and gracious people in my life. I owe a lot to my family and church.