924Board.org

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

Do all IC engines rotate the same direction?

Looking specifically for the rotational direction of an old WW I biplane. I'm pretty sure I recall them turning clockwise (as viewed when standing in front of the plane looking towards the tail) but can't find a pic/video to back that up.

Anyone know for sure?

TIA.
_________________
'80 924 n/a SOLD

924RACR · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject:

Nope. Hondas are (or at least were for the longest time) backwards compared to most cars, due to their motorcycle origins...
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

Rich H · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:25 pm Post subject:

Also most WW1 radials have the crank bolted the plane and the prop bolted to the crankcase...

_________________
1994 Lotus Esprit S4 - Work in progress...
1980 Porsche 924 S2 DITC Turbo - Original spec
1978 Homo-Sapiens - Tired spec
1953 Landrover S1 - Pensioner Spec

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

Thanks. I found that out in earlier research but I can't seem to find anything that said which way the motor/prop turned.

Sopwith Camels had rotational torque problems that caused the plane to veer to the right, opposite of the rotation of the prop/engine, which makes it sound like the prop would have been turning clockwise. (as viewed from standing in front of the plane looking aft.)

I've been trying to find a pic or vid that shows them starting an engine by having someone spin the prop by hand, since that's what we're trying to duplicate the look of.
_________________
'80 924 n/a SOLD

!tom · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:18 am Post subject:

Well, many propeller airplanes with more than one engine have counter rotating propellers, so their engines run in opposite directions.

I believe the Merlin engine was designed so that you stick in one of two camshafts to change the direction of rotation, but I can't find anything to corroberate that.
_________________
78 924 NA
5-lug

Slam · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:32 am Post subject:

Sopwith Camel Clerget rotary rotated counter-clockwise when viewed from the front of the plane.

Merlin engine Spits rotate counter-clockwise, too. Griffon engine Spits (late variants) rotated clockwise, but some had gearboxes for two counter-rotating props on the same shaft. Lockheed P-38 had counter-rotating props which made them great dogfighters at low levels due to lack of P-factor. Of course, the Brits ordered theirs without this and hated the airplane.
_________________
'84 944 - kid blew motor
'83 944 - resting comfortably. For 12 years
'87 944 - sideswiped by trucker
'80 924 - gone
'78 924 - gone
'77 924 - rusting comfortably

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE