Thanks Benni
Tim, thank you !
![:ddb:](https://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/dancenana.gif)
Well, the Kimble is a runner, but it didn't come without a fight
![:borg:](https://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/Borg.gif)
. Actually I had it running yesterday evening, but I was too dog tired to get a video and shoot a couple of photos.
After I assembled the engine, I had some troubles with binding.
The way the engine gets assembled is awkward to say the least, with a major fiddly bit being trying to hold the columns with the flywheel, main shaft and valve rod all in place and getting the column mounting screws in place from the bottom - all the while trying not to scratch things and damage the paint. This played havoc with trying to get the bearing columns aligned for the least amount of friction.
If I can provide some advise in this respect for anyone contemplating a build of this engine: Make split bearing blocks! - You'll save yourself a lot of hassle.
I found another source of binding eventually; I couldn't figure out where it was coming from initially; the vane would "stick" on one side - even though I'd taken great care in keeping tolerances close but not tight. I finally traced the source to the one crank arm on the vane shaft; it had a high spot on the rounding that I didn't file down far enough, and that was touching the base at one end of the throw
![Roll Eyes ::)](https://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/rolleyes.gif)
- a quick lick with a file and some emery cleared that up.
Once I'd gotten all the binding sorted out, I connected it to air, and it would try to run, but only go through three or so revolutions and stop. I tried upping the pressure a bit, and when I got to 30psi I stopped - I didn't want to blow off the perspex cylinder cover. I traced the problem to the timing - and this part was definitely my own fault for messing with some dimensions on the rotary valve. Earlier in the build I'd made a slot in the bottom of the valve to compensate for the holes that had wandered into the engine top - but I made that slot wider than the diameter of the original port hole. As it turned out, the slot would very nearly connect both steam ports at the same time, but once I really fine-tuned the valve on it's drive arm, the engine started running.
OK, enough blubbering - some photos and a video
![](http://www.nam-engineering.com/cm/albums/userpics/10004/normal_IMG_3707.JPG)
![](http://www.nam-engineering.com/cm/albums/userpics/10004/normal_IMG_3708.JPG)
![](http://www.nam-engineering.com/cm/albums/userpics/10004/normal_IMG_3709.JPG)
![](http://www.nam-engineering.com/cm/albums/userpics/10004/normal_IMG_3710.JPG)
I must say, this was a really fun build - even though it took me a lot longer than any of my other engines before to complete, and to see the engine running is a real treat!
![:beer:](https://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/anim_32.gif)
, Arnold