Flame licker model engine , Vacuum Rotor Dayton O.

[TBuchanan]

Has anyone reproduced componets for these little engines?

Thanks, Tom

[LarryH]

It looks like the one from EBAY last week missing the burner, flame guard, and whistle. I wish I knew of a source, but have yet to find one...Larry

[DaveHC]

Originally Posted by TBuchanan

Has anyone reproduced componets for these little engines?

Thanks, Tom

Hello Tom, I picked up one of these a couple years ago off E-BAY. I had bid on a couple before I finnaly got one. Mine was missing the flame guard , and part of the burner. From pics of other ones off E-BAY, and the internet, I made a flame guard for it, although mine seems to run better without it. I looked around for the old wick burners from old oil lamps, and found one with the size part I needed. I also have a issue of Popular Science, Aug.,1960, with an article on this engine writen by one of there editors who had picked it up one of these, in rough shape and got it running. Thought it was neet to keep displayed with the engine. I havent heard or seen any replacment parts for these . Do you have one of these ? They are really neet to run . Thanks, Dave

[Mike Monnier]

I'm not aware of anyone reproducing parts for the Vacuum Rotor engines. I see that your's is also missing the nameplate. Most of them have the nameplate attached, but unreadable because the alcohol washed the paint off of it. Keep your eyes open, you might find a basket case parts donor.

[TBuchanan]

This is the one from eBay, last week. I finally bought one after years of passing on better ones.

I'll continue to search for parts. Maybe a model steam engine whistle will work?

Thanks.

[Mike Monnier]

You can make the whistle pretty easily if you know the diameter and length. I don't know off hand, but I'm guessing the thread is the same as the one on the cylinder oiler. I don't know if you will find a model engine whistle that looks right.

[John Newman, Jr.]

I'm not aiming to kick a hornets nest, but how would a whistle work on an engine that runs on vacuum?
The operating principle of these engines is that when the piston is on the down stroke it sucks in the flame positioned just outside of an open port. At the bottom of the stroke, the port closes and the ensuing vacuum from the flame consuming the air (oxygen) in the cylinder pulls the piston back up to the top of the stroke. The port opens again and the cycle repeats.
Where would pressure to blow a whistle come from?

[Mike Monnier]

John, it's more of an exhaust whistle than anything. I'm not sure if there is a check valve to keep it from sucking air in on the intake stroke. It makes a little toot as the piston comes back forward. The vacuum is pretty small, and the piston displaces a sufficient volume of air to operate the whistle.

[ske]

The vacuum rotor relies on momentum .The hot air, flame, cools slightly causes a vacuum which pulls the piston into the cylinder. As the piston approaches the end of the stroke there is a slight positive pressure which relieves past a check ball under the whistle. It is just a slight impulse.

[R KIPP]

Originally Posted by DaveHC

Hello Tom, I picked up one of these a couple years ago off E-BAY. I had bid on a couple before I finnaly got one. Mine was missing the flame guard , and part of the burner. From pics of other ones off E-BAY, and the internet, I made a flame guard for it, although mine seems to run better without it. I looked around for the old wick burners from old oil lamps, and found one with the size part I needed. I also have a issue of Popular Science, Aug.,1960, with an article on this engine writen by one of there editors who had picked it up one of these, in rough shape and got it running. Thought it was neet to keep displayed with the engine. I havent heard or seen any replacment parts for these . Do you have one of these ? They are really neet to run . Thanks, Dave

What did you pay for the Rotor Flame Flicker on e-bay?

[R KIPP]

Originally Posted by DaveHC

Hello Tom, I picked up one of these a couple years ago off E-BAY. I had bid on a couple before I finnaly got one. Mine was missing the flame guard , and part of the burner. From pics of other ones off E-BAY, and the internet, I made a flame guard for it, although mine seems to run better without it. I looked around for the old wick burners from old oil lamps, and found one with the size part I needed. I also have a issue of Popular Science, Aug.,1960, with an article on this engine writen by one of there editors who had picked it up one of these, in rough shape and got it running. Thought it was neet to keep displayed with the engine. I havent heard or seen any replacment parts for these . Do you have one of these ? They are really neet to run . Thanks, Dave

Meant flame licker, not flicker!!