Just a question (non related to any info on how to build/improve your design, sorry)... Getting this little engine of yours running before your time is out..., is that a personal goal or a requirement of your project to score points? Personally, if I was a teacher, I would give some serious credit for effort/thought/execution of idea etc. That is what it is all about no? Thinking out of the box etc.... Or am I missing the whole point of school/projects?
Either way, some may say that you are not doing anything special(by modeling it after an existing engine), but I say top job!! :agree: Keep up the good work, and maybe we can see it running, even if you run/ran out of time!????