Engine with Square Pistons Created in Russia

The engine started, idled, and even allowed the car to move

The Siberian team Garage 54 surprised with a new experiment, assembling an engine with square pistons placed in cubic cylinders. This is not a traditional "square engine" with equal stroke and bore, but literally pistons with four right angles. Despite the seeming absurdity of the idea, the engine worked.

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) was used to create the square combustion chambers, allowing precise rectangular cavities to be cut. The pistons were made with a slight taper towards the top to prevent jamming when heated, and rubber seals were used instead of classic piston rings, as standard rings are not suitable for an angular design. After an unsuccessful first start due to lack of compression, the craftsmen modified the pistons, added additional rings, and polished the surfaces.

As a result, the engine started, idled, and even allowed the car to move. However, the exhaust emitted heavy smoke, the pistons rubbed against the walls, and the rubber rings began to melt. The experiment showed why round cylinders remain the standard: square shapes concentrate the load in the corners, worsen heat dissipation, and make sealing difficult.

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Garage 54

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