Analysis of laboratory performance data for a low cost commercial gasoline engine test assembly.

A commercially available gasoline engine test assembly, complete with dynamometer and measuring instruments, was tested to determine deficiencies in engine performance and to evaluate the need for additional instrumentation to give laboratory data that could be more closely related to internal combustion theory as taught in a college level course. The engine volumetric efficiency was found to be low, 67% compared to B5% or more on other engines. The engine performance chart, which presents complete performance analysis with all measured performance parameters included, compares qualitatively with data obtained on a Ford V-8 engine. Installation of equipment for changing and measuring spark advance during operation was recommended to widen the choice of control variables in testing. The use of this engine for detailed analysis of internal combustion engine theory is greatly curtailed without the availability of equipment to measure the indicated work, both on the power and the pumping cycles.