Restoring the Engine
One unusual feature of the Waterous portable is the semi-rotary valve; it oscillates off an eccentric on the crank shaft to direct both exhaust and high pressure steam into and out of one either end of the cylinder alternatively. The valve was badly corroded. Ross made up an abrasive reamer with emory to attempt to remove the rust. The result is not perfect but we hope it will be good enough.
The engine was cleaned up and turned smoothly when the flywheel was rotated. The feedwater pump was incomplete. We were able to have missing parts cast and drilled out. What we wanted next was steam.
