My new project ...Diesel engine .

Started by Minh Thanh · 57 replies · 9,495 views

Minh Thanh
Reply #45 · 11 Aug 2026, 08:26
Quote from: PaulRI haven't had time to follow this thread so I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at... but I do know it looks fantastic!

Thank you !

Hi All !
I don't know if this helps, but this is how I machine the needle shaft.
The old live center wasn't very stable, so I made a new one.

Another method is that after machining a section, I open the clamp on the rotating center support and move it in - clamp it again, and then open the clamp on the chuck and pull the workpiece out a bit - clamp it again - and continue machining.
Hopefully this gives you some ideas.

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Minh Thanh
Reply #47 · 7 Sept 2026, 11:37
Quote from: Roger BHi Minh,

Are you using TIG welding rods for your needles?

Hi Roger !
I've been a little busy, and I often have trouble accessing the forum, so I'm replying to you a bit slowly. Sorry !

Yes, I used stainless steel TIG welding rods to make the needles. (I usually use what is readily available around me.)

I want to know: "Why..." so I made a few needles with a diameter of 0.5 mm for testing, but they were mostly useless - there was a way to make it spray better, but it started to alter the texture of the whole size I wanted, so I went back to the familiar size and with few adjustments, the results were good.

  https://youtu.be/6ph2MciY5WE?si=jLcSVYTqNK7kGmtiYouTube video

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Minh Thanh
Reply #48 · 18 Sept 2026, 04:27
An update: As you saw in the video from the previous post, the fuel spray pattern was excellent. I fabricated five injectors based on those specifications, ensuring every component was as precise as possible; however, after assembly and adjustment, the results fell short of expectations. Upon disassembly and a thorough inspection under a magnifying glass, I found absolutely no differences. Reassembly and adjustment: no change.
After examining the injector in the video, I concluded that the fuel is sprayed through an extremely tiny gap.
So, I conducted a few experiments with the nozzle by making the outlet port as small as possible: I drilled a 0.5 mm hole (resulting in an actual diameter of about 0.55 mm) and inserted a short section of a 0.5 mm drill bit shank into it—effectively reducing the injector's orifice to 0.05 mm. However, this still didn't solve the issue regarding the 1 mm³ fuel volume (I had limited the pump stroke to yield an output of maximum 1.5 mm³).
To date, I have built over 20 injectors and adjusted each one more than 10 times—meaning over 200 adjustments in total—yet I’ve only had two successful outcomes.
...Blah, blah...
    I tried some other crazy experiments to get the nozzle down to 0.0... mm.
I decided: I would not pursue the injector angle approach.
Nor would I try to make the injector as small as possible—unless I could manufacture one with a 0.1 mm diameter.
Based on previous designs and Try to adjust it so that it sprays as well as possible.
All engines I have designed and built, and all the components I have worked on, the diesel fuel injector is the one where I was forced to compromise—due to the maximum fuel volume of 1 mm³.

  I hope this saves someone some time and effort. Of course, you can give it a try—but I certainly won't.
Roger B
Reply #49 · 18 Sept 2026, 13:04
Hello Minh,

That is my experience as well, the fuel is atomised in the very small gap between the cone on the end of the needle and the body. This is the same for needle and poppet style injectors. I have tried plain holes down to 0.2mm but there was no atomisation with the fuel volumes we are using. Full size multi hole injectors have holes around 0.2mm but with much greater fuel volumes.

I previously tried to measure the needle lift with a 1 micron resolution dial gauge but got no sensible results.
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Minh Thanh
Reply #50 · 18 Sept 2026, 13:51
Hi Roger B
0.2mm is still much larger than what I tested  ;D
Experiences of I and you can help others avoid wasting time and effort.


                    Once again..."Of course, You can give it a try—but I certainly won't."
Minh Thanh
Reply #51 · 28 Sept 2026, 11:46
Hi All !
An update
Because I lost all the designs, so I redesigned this engine with a few changes to make it closer to the old diesel engine.

I also machined some parts...
Currently, I don't have the most suitable way to connect the governor to the fuel pump

 
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Minh Thanh
Reply #52 · 16 Oct 2026, 07:55
  Hi ., an uodate !
I’ve taken everything apart to finalize the engine block and the connecting rods; once everything was cleaned and reassembled, everything went according to plan.
The gears have been machined, and their shafts are being modified to fit the new design.
While finishing the engine block, I’ve also been working on some components for the fuel pump, and I’m currently testing various methods to ensure the fuel injectors perform at their absolute best... there’s just so much to deal with,testing and testing.... it’s driving me crazy.

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PaulR
Reply #54 · 16 Oct 2026, 09:46
That's quite something  :NotWorthy: (and from the last photo it looks as if it comes with a built-in screw-catcher  :lolb:)
Minh Thanh
Reply #55 · 16 Oct 2026, 09:56
Sanjay F , PaulR  Thank you !

Quote from: PaulR: (and from the last photo it looks as if it comes with a built-in screw-catcher  :lolb:)

I never thought it had that function.  :ThumbsUp: :Lol: :Lol: :Lol:
Minh Thanh
Reply #57 · 19 Oct 2026, 04:41
Quote from: Admiral_dkBeautiful work - the parts look really great  :praise2:

Per    :cheers:

Thank you !
I'm trying to push the injector diameter to the smallest possible limit (It must be smaller than 0.5mm.) or the smallest possible outlet port - less than 0.1 mm.

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