Jul 13

My Sleeve Valve Display Engine

Wanted to post some photos and video of my sleeve valve display engine in action. This first video demonstrates how the sleeve ports open and close on the compression and exhaust strokes. The small bulb simulates the spark plug firing at the top of the compression stroke.

Jul 13, 2026

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Replies (14)

· Jul 13

This second video shows the inside of what would be the crankcase with two cranks. One for the pistons and one for the sleeves. This is a demonstrator for the 6 cylinder Willys Knight engine so it has 2 cranks. The later eight cylinder Stearns Knight has 3 cranks. One for the pistons, one for the exhaust sleeves and one for the intake sleeves.

· Jul 13

Very cool. I I saw this display at the Tampa auto museum. I didn’t realize how widely used this concept was over in Europe with early cars.

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· Jul 14

In America the sleeve valve was all done by 1931 with the last Willy Knight, but in Europe it lasted a few more years. I think Panhard was probably the last hold out around 1937.

· Jul 16

This is pretty neat! I learned this stuff in college but not such a cool video

· Jul 13

Cool! Explains it perfectly.

· Jul 14

These displays are great. Some day I’ll have a car with a Knight engine. There’s only so long I can resist the urge.

· Jul 14

Travis, look for a 66B Willy Knight. Top of the line and they show up ever once in a while.

· Jul 14

Oh, I’d love a 66B. If I went for something earlier, a Moline/R&V Knight would be cool.

· Jul 14

Moline Knight at Pebble with @TomLaferriere ruining the photo. Knight engined cars tend to be cheap as guys are afraid of them.

· Jul 14

Travis, here is the one I wish I bought. I think it needed some engine work and the final asking price was around 20k before it sold. 66B. This was maybe 3 or 4 years ago? Maybe a bit longer.

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· Jul 14

That’s a nice one. Why does it seem like every 66B out there is some variation of green?

· Jul 14

Not all of them.

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· Jul 14

Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

· Jul 15

It's a 1917 display model. And I can confirm how heavy that thing is. I still have a sore back humping that thing 200 years to the truck. It's nice to see it's still working after Phil and I got it sorted out.