I have the itch to build an engine like FPE engines does. I would like to use a ready made crank, con rod, piston and jug. I envision making a real short case like the more modern DA and DLE engines. I have the lathe and mill. I am thinking of getting my own TIG welder, I can borrow on now. Are ther any good links to build logs and such on this?

It might be a good idea to have an engine along the lines of what you more or less want to copy the lines of on hand so you can see how they approached some of the problems?

http://www.modelenginenews.org/ has a lot of info.

Do a search for the FMV Story. An old artical but covers alot that you need to know to make an engine case.They were a CL racing team of the 70's and 80's.
Another with alot of info and pictures is a Dutch guy, Loet Wakkerman that makes his own Combat engines.

http://home.planet.nl/~wakke007/

The above link is to Loet's web page that has the FMV story and how he makes his own engines.These are competition engines, if you can make a comp engine, making a engine that will just run becomes alot easier.

Good luck. Neil

There are a couple of guys on RCU who can cast aluminum.

The problem with casting is you have to make an oversize core to compensate for the shrinkage, by time you do that and the subsequent machining operations castings need you would be better off machining the crank case from bar stock, welding on any bosses that you would need for mounts etc.
Then you can prove out your design and make adjustments before spending all the money on cores etc.

Plus not have to deal with casting porosities inclusions etc you would have to use vacuum-assisted casting to avoid these isssues.

Some info in this thread.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9213420/tm.htm