talking to a guy 20 years ago who had worked in Jaguar for 26 years - told me of plastic engines they were going to introduce - they were lighter - and when needed replacing could be easily swapped with the worn one melted down with no waste. He said they were tremendous - but were not introduced as the idea would put too many people out of work. Usual story of what can be done and the second rate stuff we always end up with.
I was talking to an older regular at a store I work at nicknames Matti, we were talking and after like a year of chit chat I asked him what he does in this garage of his. He goes, “look this up on your computer when you get home, you’ll be able to learn all about me.” Then procedes to write Polimotor on a piece of paper
I was at Road America that weekend, very excited to see the Polymotor up close. I've been going to RA since 1961 (when my dad took me there at the tender and impressionable age of 10). I was used to coming right up to the cars in the paddock and asking the drivers and mechanics questions. Unfortunately on that weekend, the paddock area for the Polymotor was roped off; never was able to get up close to it or talk with anyone involved. I figured it must be TOP SECRET!! Thanks for the memories just the same!
Paul Daniel As it is it might be more cheap and useful nowadays now that plastics are being 3D printed. If that doesn’t work then 3D printing a MOLD would at least work and at a high production volume. If plastic losses to the air wasn’t a factor theoretically plastic would be *extremely* cheap.
Chris Henniker Plastic has a very low melting point, engines work at high temperatures. Making plastic melt at higher temperatures costs a lot of money to do. However, considering ethanol makes engines work at lower temperatures, and with enough materials science a PE based thermoplastic could be made resistant and cheap, it could work if an plastic-metal alloy mix was molded by a plastic 3D printed mold into an engine block. Ethanol dehydrogenated and polymered is PE, hence the idea.
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talking to a guy 20 years ago who had worked in Jaguar for 26 years - told me of plastic engines they were going to introduce - they were lighter - and when needed replacing could be easily swapped with the worn one melted down with no waste. He said they were tremendous - but were not introduced as the idea would put too many people out of work. Usual story of what can be done and the second rate stuff we always end up with.
I was talking to an older regular at a store I work at nicknames Matti, we were talking and after like a year of chit chat I asked him what he does in this garage of his. He goes, “look this up on your computer when you get home, you’ll be able to learn all about me.” Then procedes to write Polimotor on a piece of paper
I was at Road America that weekend, very excited to see the Polymotor up close. I've been going to RA since 1961 (when my dad took me there at the tender and impressionable age of 10). I was used to coming right up to the cars in the paddock and asking the drivers and mechanics questions. Unfortunately on that weekend, the paddock area for the Polymotor was roped off; never was able to get up close to it or talk with anyone involved. I figured it must be TOP SECRET!! Thanks for the memories just the same!
I luv that track. Thanks for commenting.
VW: _furiously taking notes_
I'd call it vintage. Thanks forwatching
So, was it sleeved with cast iron and had aluminum/steel internals?
Was the block torlon an the cylinders iron or aluminum sleeves?? I dont see how plastic could take a pistons constant friction on the cylinders wall?
Metal sleeves definitely.
Why aren't the manufacturers doing plastic engines now?
Good question Chris. You'd think they might have gone further in the test. I guess it just didn't work out. Thanks for watching.
It would be practical in a motorbike as weight is a conciderable factor in such a vehicle. 🙄 Where oh where indeed
Too expensive to be worth the decrease in weight.
Paul Daniel
As it is it might be more cheap and useful nowadays now that plastics are being 3D printed. If that doesn’t work then 3D printing a MOLD would at least work and at a high production volume. If plastic losses to the air wasn’t a factor theoretically plastic would be *extremely* cheap.
Chris Henniker
Plastic has a very low melting point, engines work at high temperatures. Making plastic melt at higher temperatures costs a lot of money to do. However, considering ethanol makes engines work at lower temperatures, and with enough materials science a PE based thermoplastic could be made resistant and cheap, it could work if an plastic-metal alloy mix was molded by a plastic 3D printed mold into an engine block. Ethanol dehydrogenated and polymered is PE, hence the idea.