Parodox gas engine on ebay?

[Danny J]

I found this Parodox engine on ebay. It looks like it was modified to a 4 stroke engine but can't tell that much because the pictures are not that good. I don't know if Paradox made a 4 stroke engine or if this was modified at some point in the engines life!

My question is did Paradox make a 4 stroke version of their flame ignition engine or was this engine changed at some point!

Just curious if anyone knows more history on it?

Here is a link to the auction on ebay.

320416069578


Thanks in advance!

Danny J

[Andrew Mackey]

The paradox is not 4 cycle. It is a non-compressing internal combustion engine that runs on Hydrogen. It also is NOT 1920s, more like late 1890s. I have seen them go for twice the current price on EBay - $450 as of 8/27/09, in good running condition! The paradox wa built as a type demonstrator. It showed what the engine could do. As a non compressing engine, it did not make much power. Even the full size versions made by different manufacturers, did not make much power to weight. Kinzers has several examples, one being the Otto-Langen.
Andrew

[Eric M.]

Sheesh Danny, it's not a Paradox Gas Engine! It's a CAST IRON ONE PLUNGER STEAM ENGINE. Can't ya read?



By the way, they are NOT a noncompression gas engine by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, they aren't an internal combustion engine at all. They're more like a open Stirling engine. They allow some of the flame to enter the cylinder, then as the hot gas is cooled, it contracts, sucking the piston into the cylinder.

[Wayne Grenning]

Just to clarify so people correctly understand the operation of these engines. The paradox is a noncompression Internal Combustion flame ignition engine. It operates almost exactly like the Sombart and Andrews engines of the 1880's. Combustion takes place within the cylinder and is ignited by an external open flame. The intended fuel for this is "illuminating gas" which has a large concentration of H2 and some Methane. Many people have tried to run these on H2, propane or acetylene and some have been successful, But the methane in the illuminating gas gives it the needed energy and slows down the combustion so it functions properly. If you have heard one of these run, it pops every time it fires. It is not to be confused with a " flame licker" engine similar to the ones offered by Solar engines or PM Research. These typically operate on an Alcohol flame and incorporate a slide valve to seal the hot ( externally combusted ) gasses in the cylinder. The sealed gasses then cool and pull the piston toward the head - Atmospherically powered. The Paradox is directly powered by the expanding gasses of combustion ( without compression)

See the link below to see other information previously discussed here.

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24097

[Doug Kimball]

I don't think the engine Danny posted is a Paradox. The base dimensions given do match my Paradox. This one has valves, however. It sold a week ago for over $700 but the buyer reneged. Can anyone identify it?

[Danny J]

First thanks for all your responses!

I forgot to mention before that the crankshaft and crank bearings are definately not the same as the paradox engine used.

Because it is an Ebay auction I posted the pictures below so people will still be able to read this thread and see the engine because ebay will eventually dump the pictures!

Here is a link to from Staks that shows more information about Paradox engines and the pattent information for the paradox engine that was posted by the Staker member Oostvogels on post #7. http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24097

Just curious did a Staker purchase this engine? If so can you give us more information about it and some better pictures?

Thanks again!

Danny J

[Paul Woodworth]

Hi Danny & Wayne I have owened a Parodox Eng. for 31 years and have a list of about 35 owners. But I stoped listing them. About 5 years ago someone started repo. them. The old ones have the date cast in the bace, nov. 20 1900. I have a copy of the pattem papers, the first ones didn't have any fines on the cylander and have seen one still in the wooden box that they come in. I have had mine running on acetlene and it runs Hot, so you can't run it long. Paul

[Ronald E. McClellan]

I have 4 of these engines. Each one is a little different. The one in this thread was revised into a 4 cycle engine. The pictures are not very clear but in the second picture I can see what looks like the teeth of a gear behind the flywheel below the crank. The crank would have modified to make room for the gear cam. The crank bearing supports would not be strong enough for power stroke of a gas engine. Maybe they were changed also. It looks like it has everything to make into a running engine. Someone started to revise one of the engines that I have. There is some piping removed , the gas supply for the touch hole is pluged , And a threaded hole in the head end about 1/2" diameter. Ron