Oooooo free pipe! Might well tap you up for that, cheers! Yes, a flash steam boiler. Ive built a few smaller ones for flash steam tethered hydroplanes., they can provide an absolutely terrifying amount of power. Like about 4.5 hp from a 10cc single cylinder uniflow type level of power. That’s about 450bhp per litre, so not bad.
I’m thinking of buying a small (90 to 125size) clone Honda engine and using it as the basis of a bash valve inlet, uniflow output conversion. It’ll need a hell of a silencer, but would probably be good for a high speed single. If it’s a 4 stroke I can re use the poppet valves, which might be a tiny bit quieter… alternatively the twin cylinder launch engine Ive got is probably good for 900rpm max and about 3 proper steam horse power at about 100psi. With a cyclone steam separator equipped steam generator to avoid slugging, and further throttle control. might need a certificate for the steam separator. Total loss water tank for the steam generator will be the big weight penalty, a condenser and pump will weigh even more.
I’m thinking unleaded petrol and a Venturi boiler for the burner. Mount it at the front with actual flame ejecting outlet vents down the bonnet…. Hee hee!
Most actual steam car boilers as far as I can tell used water and steam drums, all of which require certification before use. In my own experiments I had success with gradually increasing tube diameter, with different thicknesses potted in smaller burner/coil/enclosure sections.
All of this probably needs its own thread. I’ll start one ;c)