In a previous experiment, the Garage 54 YouTube channel placed a transparent head on top of an engine to provide a clear view of the combustion process. Now, the channel is back with another transparent resin experiment, this time building an entire engine block out of the see-through material.

The previous attempt resulted in the engine exploding at startup. To prevent this, Garage 54 redesigned a new block to act as a spacer between the cylinder head and the crankshaft. The goal was to eliminate any direct load on the block beyond the combustion process in the chamber. The new block was slightly taller and aimed to reduce compression.

The first startup of the modified engine showed promise, with spark and no catastrophic failure. However, the second attempt encountered some issues. One of the cylinders experienced combustion, but it occurred too late when the cylinder was at top dead center. This caused the block to crack along the bottom. Despite this setback, the experiment continued.

The team made adjustments to the timing and attempted to start the engine again. This time, the engine truly started and ran. The slow-motion camera captured every cylinder firing in exquisite detail. The engine ran for a fourth time, but the block started to break down, with the crack along the bottom expanding along its entire length.

Due to the high heat generated, the engine only ran for a few seconds at a time before starting to deteriorate. The transparent cylinder head from the previous year immediately showed signs of degradation, with bubbles and imperfections forming in the material due to the extreme temperatures.

The objective of this experiment was not to determine the longevity of the engine, but rather to test if a transparent engine block could start. In that regard, it was a resounding success for the Garage 54 team, which has been known for their innovative creations over the years.