the only other engine easier to build than this one would be the tesla turbine.

Hello!

 I discovered your website while hunting for information. My name is Robert and I am the Admin for http://chapters.thezeitgeistmovement.com/nv/ 

I love some of the ideas I find on here and I have posted your site in our forums. Our chapter in particular has spawned another site called http://www.atlasinitiativegroup.org   Our plan is to build the worlds first Resource Based Economy and CIty.

Here's some disadvantages of steam power that could harm replicability and safety:

1. Requirement for fresh water.
2. Slow startup/preheat time and most of the wasted energy is lost here.
3. Valves & pistons are prone to wear and cracks
4. Explosion risk with poor materials (quite likely if it's made of scrap)
5. Corrosion
6. Poor power/weight ratio for mobile applications
7. Sheer physical size of firebox/boiler/chimney would make it impractical on L
ifeTrac
8. No option for waste-heat or water recovery on a mobile application, a conden
ser would be far too heavy.