Network
The creation of the internal combustion engine was an amazing feat of engineering. And while many of the more classical engine designs have been pushed to the wayside in favor of more efficient and powerful mills, these more rudimentary platforms still have their place in the small/utility engine market.
In an effort to learn more about the Otto cycle, Destin Sandlin — the mechanical engineer behind the Smarter Every Day YouTube series — took his high speed camera and visited the eclectic mechanics who created the New Jersey-based 805 Road King video channel.
The Briggs and Stratton engine (in its propane configuration) that was modified by Everett [left] and Mike [right] of 805 Road King. Everett is the body and paint guy of the group and Mike is the all-around mechanic.
Many of you may already know much of the information discussed in the video, or maybe, like Destin, you’ll learn something new from Everett, Mike and Bill. Regardless, the visuals are amazing — there’s just something satisfying about being able to watch as the the still glowing combustion gasses are pulled out of the chamber on the exhaust stroke!
It’s also really cool to note that while Everett and Bill are from vastly distant generations, their combined skill and knowledge has created the perfect chemistry that has allowed for the creation of a number of unique inventions, using Briggs and Stratton engines as their starting point.
A custom designed hit and miss-style Briggs and Stratton setup (left) and the Frankenstein of build consisting of four separate single cylinder engines welded together and sharing a common crankshaft (right)!
For a more technical look at the see-through Briggs and Stratton as well as some of the other 805 Road King projects, be sure to check out the behind-the-scenes video from the second Smarter Every Day channel! It’s a long video, but definitely worth a watch if you have a love for mechanics like we do!
