Joe Hewes tackles a forgotten engine

YouTuber Joe Hewes, known as "Mr Hewes," is working on a massive Mirrlees Blackstone JS8 engine, which has been abandoned for decades. The engine, which is 102.4 liters in size, is being revived with a mix of traditional techniques and modern ingenuity.

The engine's military past

The Mirrlees Blackstone JS8 is an eight-cylinder turbo diesel engine that was delivered to the UK Air Ministry after World War II. It was likely used as a power generator on a Royal Air Force base. Despite having only 720 hours of operation, it has largely been left to deteriorate over the years.

Challenges in restarting the engine

Restarting the engine proved difficult due to several issues. The valves had seized, the oil had been replaced by water, and the air pressure was insufficient to start the engine. Even with the help of a lift truck, the engine block was difficult to move, leading to repeated failures in the startup process.

An unconventional solution

Faced with these challenges, Joe Hewes devised an unusual solution. He used a Ford F-Series pickup connected to the engine with a clutch strap. By slowly moving the truck, he tightened the strap, turning the engine crankshaft in a manner similar to starting a lawn mower, but on a much larger scale.

Engine's unique mechanical design

The Mirrlees Blackstone JS8 engine has a bore of about 9.75 inches and a stroke of 10.5 inches, which is much larger than modern engines. It is designed to deliver power at very low rpm, making it ideal for long, continuous operation as a stationary generator.

The triumph of ingenuity

After several attempts, the engine finally started, emitting smoke and oil. Joe Hewes adjusted the fuel flow while being drenched by the splashes, clearly enjoying the process. This unexpected combination of a post-war engine and a modern pickup truck became the focus of a viral video, highlighting the blend of history and modern engineering.