Science fair help

[Jacob W.]

I have I science fair coming up and I was wondering if some of you guys could help me out. I am doing how a car engine works and I have done research and I was going to see if some people on the website could help me and give me info on how a engine works. One more thing what engine was in the C2s.

I would appreciate the help.

Sincerely, Jacob West

[Don H.]

Re: Science fair help

Jacob
that sounds like a great project for young man who has motor oil in his veins.
Here is a link on how an internal combustion engine works.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

The internet is full of information. And there are also animations that will help you understand.
Good luck in your project. I'm sure you will get an A if you do a good job on it.

[Don L.]

Re: Science fair help

Hello Jacob. A science fair. Sounds great! I admire your project choice. When I was in school, I built model car after model car. I bet I built 110 of them or more! I built a few model airplanes, however, they just didn't get me like a car. I did, however, build a model V8 engine that actually worked. It was called "The Visible V8". After the assembly was complete, I installed a couple batteries to the base for power. The batteries made it cycle, showing the sequence of intake, ignition, exhaust, repeat, repeat, etc. I learned from this and also from some books I read at the time.

Explaining how an engine works seems like a book vs a couple paragraphs I could type here tonight. Today, young guys like you have the benefit of the internet to help. I did a quick search with your question and found a bunch of web sites that I think you'll find quite helpful. I copied/pasted this link http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine2.htm because it seemed quite interesting, easy to follow and it covers numerous engine designs, including the Corvette engine. Have a look and also consider "GOOGLING" "how a car engine works". You'll find a whole list of different sites to learn.

As for your question about C2 engine options, there were numerous 327 cubic inch "small block" engines, a 396 cubic inch option in 1965 only and several 427 "big block" monsters beginning in 1966. Different fuel systems and valve train set ups made for different outputs along the way. I'll stop here in hoes that others will jump in and help with more details.

Good luck with your project. Let us all know how you make out with the final project!

[Bruce B.]

Re: Science fair help

Jacob,
Here is another explanation of how a 4 stroke engine works;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroke_engine

All C2 Corvettes have either 327 cubic inch small block Chevy V8 (SBC) or 396 and 427 cubic inch big block (BB) Chevy V8 engines.
Have fun with your project.
Bruce B

[Steve L.]

Re: Science fair help

If you can afford it, there are several visible v8 models available on ebay for about $20. It would go a long way as a demo if you have a table set up.

[Duke W.]

Re: Science fair help

Automotive engines are known as "heat engines" because they convert some part of the heat energy that is released in an oxidation reaction with fuel to mechanical work. Various simple cycles are used to mathematically represent what's going on. The most general is the Carnot cycle and automotive spark ignition engines are usually represented by the Otto cycle.

How the engine converts heat energy into mechanical energy is half the story. The other half is the control system that allows the operator to adjust the output to meet the power requirement.

The energy conversion part is a subset of physics known as Thermodynamics, which is taught as an upper division undergraduate course in some engineering curriculums, and it requires a background in Calculus.

The following link might help, particularly the first few charts.

http://stlouisncrs.org/news_files/DukeWilliamsEngineTuningPerformance&EconomySeminar.pdf

The pdf lacks the antimation of the original PowerPoint presentation. I don't know how you plan to present your project, but if it's a series of computer screens such as a PowerPoint presentation I can probably help you obtain the antimations. Email me if you want.

You can also find lots of information on the Web as recommended in other posts. Also google Carnot and Otto cycle.

Duke

[Steve L.]

Re: Science fair help

I had another look at the reviews of those $20 kits. Apparently, they do not go together that well, and require a lot of modifications including turfing plastic parts and replacing with making your own metal parts-- just to get the engine turning over by hand.

[Donald O.]

Re: Science fair help

I had another look at the reviews of those $20 kits. Apparently, they do not go together that well, and require a lot of modifications including turfing plastic parts and replacing with making your own metal parts-- just to get the engine turning over by hand.

Then something has changed. I built a few of the 'Visible " engine kits, the V-8 (3 times) and the rotary engine. All went together fine, with care and a little finesse.
Jacob, the Visible V8 would be a fun kit for you to see yourself how the engine works. Your Dad will be able to help I'm sure.

DonO

[Bill M.]

Re: Science fair help

my son Billy did a science fair project many years ago. he used a2 birggs and straton 4 stroke go cart engines. 1 apart and 1 complete . it was one of the most popular dispays at the school.

[Bill M.]

Re: Science fair help

There is a good book that starts with the basics and has a lot of detail too:

Auto Mechanics Fundamentals by Stockel

It is available on Amazon for a few $

[Jacob W.]

Re: Science fair help

Thank you for the info I ended up getting a 98%

[Don H.]

Re: Science fair help

Hey Jacob, that is great!! That is Duntov level TOP FLIGHT!

[Steve L.]

Re: Science fair help

Glad we could all help. What did you land up showing?