V8 Combustion Engine Model Kit - Build Your Own STEM Mini Engine for Adults & Kids Age 12+, Visible Working Model With 270 Parts

Well my kit, fun to assemble. Highly Recommended!!!

Ordered 3. Two were perfect. Kids enjoyed building the V8. The 3rd had one broken valve. Sent for a replacement part and received the replacement promptly.

This is a good model if you take it for what it is. I learned a lot about how a V8 engine works. It took about six hours to build due to some mistakes. I learned about the 4 stroke cycle and could see it in action. I also learned about how the cam shaft rotates the pistons and why timing is so important in an engine. Thus, if you are only wanting to learn how a combustion engine works, without relation to a car, this is really good. As stated, I learned a lot. I will talk about the model build and then some weaknesses below. Building the model: The instructions give you the guidelines to build the engine. It took me about six hours to builkd including mistakes. Once in a while the instructions are vague which could lead to mistakes, or at least it did for me. But, the mistakes were good as I learned about the engine build from those mistakes. The parts fit together relatively easily. There are some parts requiring patience. The plastic parts sometimes need to be filed when removed from the plastic frames to make them fit correctly, but I am sure that is true of any plastic model. One plastic piece does have a thin tip and broke while removing it from the frame. I contacted customer service and they are replacing the piece, but I just continued without it as I didn't want to wait to finish the model. When finished the model is powered by batteries, instead of gasoline. The model does show the turning of the pistons and the timing of the spark plugs and valves extremely well. As another reviewer stated, it would be nice if there was a way to turn off the artificial engine noises. Overall, I learned a lot about an engine. Weaknesses: Well, it doesn't really show you how a V8 engine works in relation to a car. For instance, I have no idea how oil is circulated through the engine. I don't know how the radiator is involved in cooling. It doesn't have any indication as to how it might connect to a transmission. It also doesn't really show how the battery and alternator might work together with the engine. Now, what I will say is the model never claimed to do these things. But, if you are looking for those types of things, you might want to select a different model.

My grandson and I enjoyed building the model, discussing engines, and seeing the device in motion. "Hands-on" activity is a welcome alternative to just watching another video on a screen.

Kids enjoyed it, dad restores cars, so this was a perfect homeschool project. We are missing a small part, but we emailed the company and are waiting to see if they can send it.