1904 Engine

t the beginning of 1904, the Wrights built a second motor similar to the first, but slightly larger (214 cu in and 34 pounds heavier) that produced 16 hp (increased to 18 hp as the cylinders smoothed). Improvements included better cooling, a fuel pump, better oil pump with pressurized lubrication, and a compression release mechanism to aid starting and allowing the propellers to free-wheel after shutting off the motor in flight.

According to Charles Taylor, "We didn't make any drawings. One of us would sketch out the part we were talking about on a piece of scrap paper...." Orville Wright's diary of 1904 has the entry, "Took old [1903] engine apart to get measurements for making new engine."

References:

McFarland, 1953, p 1214-1215.
Hobbs, 1971, pp 29-33.
Lippincott, 1987, pp 86-87.
McFarland, Marvin W. (ed) The papers of Wilbur and Orville Wright. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1953, p 1214-1215.
Hobbs, Leonard S. The Wright Brothers' Engines and Their design. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1971, pp 29-33.
Lippincott, Harvey H. Propulsion System of the Wright Brothers. In Wolko, Howard S. (editor), The Wright Flyer, an Engineering Perspective. The Smithsonian Institution Press, 1987, pp 86-87.

[Submitted by Joe W. McDaniel]

1903 engine being restored in 1928.jpg (14484 bytes)

The 1903 engine was restored in 1928 using parts from the 1904, including the crankshaft and flywheel. The engine you see on the 1903 Flyer 1 that hangs in the Smithsonian is actually a hybrid of both engines.

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