Is it possible to convert a standard automobile engine into a steam engine? Barring other difficulties, it would require nothing more than the installation of a specially ground camshaft. The intake valve would be opened at TDC and would remain open for most of a power stroke. At BDC the intake valve would be closed and the exhaust valve opened. The spent steam would be exhausted as the piston moves upward. At TDC the exhaust valve would be closed and the cycle would repeat. The big problem with such an approach would be keeping the intake valve closed during the exhaust cycle; steam pressure on the intake manifold side of the valve would tend to force it open. The only way to counter this would be to have a very strong intake valve spring or to reduce the steam pressure. Assuming that this could be done, my back-of-the-envelop calculations suggest that a 2 liter engine could produce about 20 hp from 40 psi steam at 2000 rpm. Not bad! There are other practical problems with such an engine. For example, how would an aluminum engine react to steam. Would lubrication be a problem. Many problems! But, if the societal disruptions become extreme then this might be a way of bypassing dependence upon a supply of liquid fuel.

Replys are appreciated!

-- Ken Davis (kendavis@lookingglass.net), August 29, 1998

Answers

I once saw a truck that burned with woodgas fed through its carburator. The gas was generated by a fire in tanks on the back of the truck. Mother Earth News, Issues 69, 70 and 71 have articles about this. I think that would work a lot better than steam, if that would work at all.

-- Forgot (winners@magiclink.com), August 29, 1998.

There are small steam engines available starting around $1000. Another solution is an air motor used as a turbine.

-- Edward Blakely (katfish@altavista.net), August 29, 1998.

It's probably a lot easier to buy a steam engine than to try and convert one. You don't have the problems you mentioned. And, you really don't need too big a steam engine to generate enough electricity to keep a battery pack fully charged. Assuming 1 hp = 745 watts, a 1 hp engine, running for 8 hours (about 6 kilowatts total), would keep you in lights, refrigerator, heat (you can use the thing to heat your house and your greenhouse, by the way), and a lot of comforts.

If you're interested in steam, I'd suggest looking at the following web site

http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/6362/

Skip (at Senible Steam) had been posting to the Gary North Home Power Generation Forum. He had an operation, so may be out of action, but his partner is still going strong. You might want to give them a call.

-- rockly knolls (rknolls@hotmail.com), August 30, 1998.

Rockly,

The site you suggested:

http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/6362/

is an excellent source of information about steam power! After seeing their material, I feel that a steam powered genset with battery storage would be the ideal power producing method for those of us who live in the mountains. We have plenty of wood, and goodness knows that we can use the excess heat during the winter! Rockly, thanks again.

-- Ken Davis (kendavis@lookingglass.net), August 30, 1998.

I found a site which considers making a steam engine from VW parts:

http://www.budget.net/~soltherm/anima.htm

-- Ken Davis (kendavis@lookingglass.net), September 05, 1998.