Machine Works Build Your Own 4-Cylinder Petrol Car Engine Replica Model Building Kit - Features Real Sounds and Illumination, 100+ Pieces, 8+ Years

Very happy with the set.

bought this for my son to put together, once built gave him good knowledge of how a combustion engine works, very happy and would recommend to anyone with an interest in the older cars engine

With my help (advice), my 13 year old grandson assembled the model in about 2.5 hours. Being transparent, the finished model exposes the workings of the valve gear and simulated sparking plugs as the pistons rise and fall in an in-line 4 cylinder petrol engine. However, there was a drawback with the valve and ignition timing. Although a tool is provided to lock the camshaft and crankshaft in the supposedly correct relative positions before the timing belt is fitted, I had to adjust the rotational position of the camshaft by a few teeth to get the valve timing correct. Then I discovered that the range of adjustment provided for the distributor does not allow the correct ignition timing to be achieved, the timing being too advanced causing the spark plugs to fire before piston top dead centre. I'm still working on a solution!

The kit came in record time, all parts present and the moulding blow-bys’ was a minimum except for no1 cylinder in the block, this required quite a lot of fine scraping to allow the piston to fit. Once assembled the electric motor kept failing, the motor would turn then after about two revolutions of the engine the motor drive would stop but the electric motor kept running. Engine strip down twice revealed the problem is internal to the electric motor. Phone call and email to Machine Works and a replacement motel ordered f..o.c. Although now 3 days later it hasn’t arrived. I decided to strip the electric motor to investigate. I found the cogs fitted upside down. Once corrected the motor works perfect.Faults with design. 1. The valves are on the wrong side of the head, or the head machining is wrong because the exhaust manifold fits where the inlet manifold should be. 2. The build instructions are vague in places. 3. The valve timing appears centred on the firing order of 4. 2. 3. 1, and not the correct 1.3.4.2. However, providing this kit is treated as a toy only, it looks, to the untrained eye, to be working properly, then it is acceptable. I have built it just to add to my collection of models and no other reason. The best part is the description of how the ICE engine works. If there was a CE engine in kit form I would probably buy it too.Is it worth £49.99, no I don’t think so due to it not being correct. Hence the 3 stars. Would I buy it again at this price, no. It’s a toy only.

The media could not be loaded. Bought this for my 8 year old son. It took us an afternoon (3-4 hours) to build the kit. I am super impressed with he accuracy and the level of detail. It is a great tool to learn the internals of an ICE, from pistons to spark plugs, from timing belt to camshaft etc.Please note this is a model, so don't expect a real engine performance. Also, try to remove any excess plastics from the parts when you separate them as this would ensure smooth running.All in all, for a young mind, this is the perfect way to learn. And for the older ones (like me) a welcome refresher!

over priced,sorry.

There was some parts to this that just didn’t match up its was very flimsy and some parts just didn’t meet each other.

We bought this for my partners 80 year old dad… he loved making is and sits proudly in his man cave !