Stirling Kit have been designing and making model engines for over 10 years, originally inspired from seeing a model engine at a local show. Based in Shenzhen, China they have grown to over 100 people now making over 7000 model engines a year. Nowadays, their engine designs often start with ideas and opinions from their customers. These ideas can be very fragmented and varied, however, they use these and then refine the idea and design. Sometimes the design iterations can take a year to develop and make it through to production.
This approach means that they design model engines that the customer wants and they understand the details that are important to them. Then working with the engine designers they will turn this into a single design or sometimes even a series of products. Currently their focus is on model 4 stroke engines.
The engine about to be launched is based on one of E.T. Westbury’s final engine designs, the Whippet.
Designed in 1963, Westbury thought that the Whippet would “set new standards for stamina, sprightliness and startability”. Conceived to power model boats. The 10cc Whippet is a single cylinder 4-stroke petrol side valve engine.
The Whippet is regarded as one of the most classic IC engine with great charm that unhindered by any pretension towards style. Westbury loves to make the engine more practical. He tended to make it a compact four-stroke, with simple construction, and not unduely heavy. It should be water cooled and have a simple lubrication system which would enable it to run for fairly substantial periods without attention.
Westbury worked hard to simplify the design. An advantage is that the crankcase and cylinder jacket are integrated into a single casting. Giving it a wonderful compact appearance. Also, giving it a practical mounting base to attach to a boat’s floor or to a plinth for a stationary installation.
The side-valve arrangement restricts the compression ratio and is not generally conducive to high performance. However, it does reduce both the component count, complexity, and overall height while facilitating effective water cooling of the head. It also results in a quiet operation.
Specifications:
- Vertical Single Cylinder Four-Stroke
- Size: 113 x 117 x 112mm
- Weight: 1kg
- Displacement: 10cc
- Bore: 25mm and Stroke: 19mm
- Rotation speed: 2000-6000rpm
- Power: 0.5ps
- Water cooled
- Hand pull start / Electric drill start
- Independent lubrication
- Fuel: gasoline.
You can order this Whippet model engine direct from Stirling Kit
E. T. Westbury
Edgar T. Westbury designed a large number of model engines. One of the most famous model engine designers from the 20th Century. A description of his designs along with images of engines made to those plans where available. Why not join in and send us images and details of your own Westbury model engine.
Unpacking the Enjomor Whippet
A parcel arrived from StirlingKit yesterday and I had to just calmly wait until this afternoon before unpacking the Enjomor Whippet.
Must state that this is a Paid Promotion as this is a gift from the StirlingKit team for me to review.
A Peek Inside the Enjomor Whippet
A peek inside the Enjomor Whippet was just too tempting, especially with a set of Wera Allen Keys laying nearby. The head of this Whippet engine is interesting as it is constructed as two layers. The combustion chamber has a heart shape cavity that links the sidevalves to the cylinder.
Whippet Cooling Tank
From an idea for the Whippet cooling tank to the finished tank on a tripod. The Enjomor Whippet is water cooled and to fit with my construction of it as a stationary engine I needed a simple water tank.
Running the Enjomor Whippet
The engine has a good quality engine oil in the sump. Must admit that I screwed the oil cap back in place and turned the engine upside down for a while, just to ensure the piston, conrod and bearings had some oil over them. I know the oil will get moved around by the splasher on the big end of the conrod, but nothing better than starting well oiled.