The Albert Hutton Olympus Racing Engine
Created: April, 2009.
This is the Olympus high performance racing engine designed, built, and developed over a forty year period by the late Albert Hutton. Originally conceived as a powerplant for a model hydroplane, it somehow evolved into an experimental unit with more testing and development that was ever envisaged at the start. For more details regarding the engine, its builder, and its development, see the Bibliography at the end of this page.
The engine is currently in the care of MEN Member, Dave Sage (Mississauga, Canada), who has kindly provided the photos that appear below. In 2007, Dave was given costodianship of the engine by Albert's daughter, Elaine Hutton-Willcock. He set about carefully restored the engine by replacing perishable items such as hoses and seals, ultimately returning the engine to its full running glory. Dave now takes the engine to major Model Engineering exhibitions in Canada and the USA where he demonstrates it, drawing large, appreciative large crowds.
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| Milestone | Configuration | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 1974 | First test, SOHC, low compression pistons, single SU carburettor | 2.5 bhp @ 15,000 rpm |
| Dec 1974 | High compression pistons, single carburettor | 3.25 bhp @ 17,000 rpm |
| Apr 1975 | High compression pistons, single carburettor | 3.8 bhp @ 17,000 rpm |
| Nov 1976 | Dual SU carburettors | 4.04 bhp @ 17,000 rpm |
| Feb 1978 | Sual SU carburettors, enlarged exhaust ports and valves, new plugs | 4.35 bhp @ 19,400 rpm |
| Apr 1981 | Four Weber carburettors, retuned (shortened) exhaust pipes | 5.1 bhp @ 20,500 rpm |
| Nov 1986 | New DOHC 16 valve cylinder head, four Weber carburettors, long inlet manifolds, "wilder" cam timing | 5.98 bhp @ 22,500 rpm |
For more information on the Olympus see:
- The Pursuit of Power, Hutton AC,
Model Engineer, Vol 160 Issue 3826, June 3, 1988, p652. - The Story of the Olympus Racing Engine—Part 1, Hutton AC,
Strictly IC, Vol 1 No 5, Oct/Nov 1988, p3. - The Story of the Olympus Racing Engine—Part 2, Hutton AC,
Strictly IC, Vol 1 No 6, Dec/Jan 1988, p4. - Testing IC Engines—Part 1, Hutton AC,
Strictly IC, Vol 2, No 9, Jun/Jul 1989, p3 (see also: Eratta Vol 2, issue 12, p27). - Testing IC Engines—Part 2, Hutton AC,
Strictly IC, Vol 2, No 10, Aug/Sep 1989, p3. - Letters from the Strictly IC Editor Emeritus: Albert Hutton Part 1, Washburn RA,
Model Engine Builder, Issue 10, Jan/Feb 2007, p21. - Letters from the Strictly IC Editor Emeritus: Albert Hutton Part 2, Washburn RA,
Model Engine Builder, Issue 11, Mar/Apr 2007, p21. - Letters from the Strictly IC Editor Emeritus: Albert Hutton Part 3, Washburn RA,
Model Engine Builder, Issue 12, Jul/Aug 2007, p29. - Letters from the Strictly IC Editor Emeritus: Albert Hutton Part 4, Washburn RA,
Model Engine Builder, Issue 13, Sep/Oct 2007, p25. - First public showing of A. Hutton’s Olympus, Washburn RA,
Model Engine Builder, Issue 13, Sep/Oct 2007, p26. - Letters from the Strictly IC Editor, Emeritus: Albert Hutton Conclusion, Washburn RA,
Model Engine Builder, Issue 14, Nov/Dec 2007, p29. - The Olympus Comes Back to Life, Sage D,
Model Engine Builder, Issue 15, Jan/Feb 2008, p14.
