Wanted to post some photos and video of my sleeve valve display engine in action. This first video demonstrates how the sleeve ports open and close on the compression and exhaust strokes. The small bulb simulates the spark plug firing at the top of the compression stroke.
This second video shows the inside of what would be the crankcase with two cranks. One for the pistons and one for the sleeves. This is a demonstrator for the 6 cylinder Willys Knight engine so it has 2 cranks. The later eight cylinder Stearns Knight has 3 cranks. One for the pistons, one for the exhaust sleeves and one for the intake sleeves.
Very cool. I I saw this display at the Tampa auto museum. I didn’t realize how widely used this concept was over in Europe with early cars.
In America the sleeve valve was all done by 1931 with the last Willy Knight, but in Europe it lasted a few more years. I think Panhard was probably the last hold out around 1937.
This is pretty neat! I learned this stuff in college but not such a cool video
Cool! Explains it perfectly.
These displays are great. Some day I’ll have a car with a Knight engine. There’s only so long I can resist the urge.
Travis, look for a 66B Willy Knight. Top of the line and they show up ever once in a while.
Oh, I’d love a 66B. If I went for something earlier, a Moline/R&V Knight would be cool.
Moline Knight at Pebble with @TomLaferriere ruining the photo. Knight engined cars tend to be cheap as guys are afraid of them.
Travis, here is the one I wish I bought. I think it needed some engine work and the final asking price was around 20k before it sold. 66B. This was maybe 3 or 4 years ago? Maybe a bit longer.
That’s a nice one. Why does it seem like every 66B out there is some variation of green?
Not all of them.
Very cool. Thanks for sharing!
It's a 1917 display model. And I can confirm how heavy that thing is. I still have a sore back humping that thing 200 years to the truck. It's nice to see it's still working after Phil and I got it sorted out.
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