old inline 2-cylinder engine- made in England

[JimZaremski]

Hi,

today we were given an old shovelnose hydro in rough shape to try to make it presentable. When I looked under the canopy I saw this:

I initially thought it was seized but it's just pretty gummed up. I figured by the T-screws that it's a diesel, and some searching leads me to believe it's a Taplin "Twin." The pistons seem to be in good shape, and by eyeballing it they look to be about the same size as roughly a .15 c.i. nitro engine. Has anyone messed with these engines before? Is it worth tearing it apart, cleaning it, and trying to get it running just for the heck of it?

 

[bermudadude]

parts or new engine from this guy:-

http://carlsonengineimports.net/

 

[Ian Webster]

It is worth taking it out, cleaning it up and getting it running. There is a good market for the Taplin among collectors.

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-taplin-twin-two-cylinder-diesel-4223325-details.aspx?intObjectID=4223325 (Note the price is for the 2 engines)

 

[JimZaremski]

so what do you feed a beast like this?

 

[ids987]

Something like:

Ether.......................30%

Paraffin or Diesel Oil......45%

Mineral or Castor Oil......22.5%

Amyl Nitrite or Nitrate.....2.5% (neither are essential but both improve performance - same goes for isopropyl nitrate).