Engine restarting backwards.

[Terrano Steve]

As a follow on to jims post on runaway diesels. has anyone experienced an engine firing up backwards ie drawing air in through exhaust and exhausting out through air filter. I have had this once & heard that it was quite common years ago the engine is easily stalled but obviously all forward gears reverse & all reverse gears go forward.

 

[solarman216]

As a follow on to jims post on runaway diesels. has anyone experienced an engine firing up backwards ie drawing air in through exhaust and exhausting out through air filter. I have had this once & heard that it was quite common years ago the engine is easily stalled but obviously all forward gears reverse & all reverse gears go forward.

The only engine I have known to be able to run backwards is the Comma TS3 but only when it was fitted with the early in line pump, later ones with the rotary pump could no do this, these engines are very interesting being 3 cylinder 6 piston two stroke supercharged, amassing bit of kit, Rick

 

[kitchenman]

A mate had a 2 stroke boat engine, there was a sort of advance and retard lever, one way forward the other way reverse, no need for a reverse gear on the gearbox

 

[jims-terrano]

Wouldn't of thought it possible on these engines. Had an old two stroke model aero engine that set off backwards easily:lol:lol:lol

 

[rustic]

Bolinder single cylinders engines on canal boats, were designed to run backwards, it took skill to catch them at top dead centre, this is how they got reverse.

There are many two stroke petrol engines that can run backwards.
But both of my examples, exhaust in the normal way.

However some diesels can run backwards, and exhaust through the air filter, now that would be scary...

 

[solarman216]

Bolinders, yes forgot about them, never saw one in the flesh though, Rick

 

[AlexD333]

Bugger that for a laugh

 

[Terrano Steve]

Bugger that for a laugh

:lol don't think anyone does it for a laugh it usually happens when the engine has been dragged down and about to stall you push clutch in just at the wrong time and it starts backwards on the recoil. Atleast I think that is what happens.

 

[Barrbeast]

The old Field Marshall tractors use a big single cylinder 6 litre engine which can be started by either a crank on the flywheel or using a shotgun cartridge blank but cartridge starting puts a lot of stress on bearings etc and also runs the risk of running the engine in reverse giving you 3 reverse gears and 1 forward gear.

Lovely old tractors with a very distinctive engine noise!

 

[Terrano Steve]

The old Field Marshall tractors use a big single cylinder 6 litre engine which can be started by either a crank on the flywheel or using a shotgun cartridge blank but cartridge starting puts a lot of stress on bearings etc and also runs the risk of running the engine in reverse giving you 3 reverse gears and 1 forward gear.

Lovely old tractors with a very distinctive engine noise!

And worth a few quid if you have one tucked away in a barn somewhere.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

was driving a leyland national bus with leyland 510 engine
which somehow threw its self into reverse. as in output reversed.

second adventure that day was being flat towed back to yard on
a bar. the wrecker being a converted fifth wheel tractor unit so
great turning circle vs a 36 foot bus minus power steering.....

 

[Paff]

I used to drive a Shell tanker and I have been towed back on a bar and it is a horrible experience being so close to the tow vehicle, especially at night

 

[macabethiel]

Comma TS3 unusual engine or what ??

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commer_TS3

I have never heard of this engine until I read this post so googled it for more information.

I love this Forum when these little golden nuggets of knowledge appear !

 

[jims-terrano]

The old Field Marshall tractors use a big single cylinder 6 litre engine which can be started by either a crank on the flywheel or using a shotgun cartridge blank but cartridge starting puts a lot of stress on bearings etc and also runs the risk of running the engine in reverse giving you 3 reverse gears and 1 forward gear.

Lovely old tractors with a very distinctive engine noise!

Great machines those:thumb2

Best one I ever saw was at Pickering Steam Rally, they used to have a road run into Pickering on a Saturday evening which was a brilliant atmosphere. There was someone who had put a baby seat behind drivers seat and they were rocking baby to sleep on tick over:lol

 

[macabethiel]

WOW some engine in that Tractor

The old Field Marshall tractors use a big single cylinder 6 litre engine which can be started by either a crank on the flywheel or using a shotgun cartridge blank but cartridge starting puts a lot of stress on bearings etc and also runs the risk of running the engine in reverse giving you 3 reverse gears and 1 forward gear.

Lovely old tractors with a very distinctive engine noise!

6 Litre 1 cylinder boy that must have had some torque in it's day !

A 500 c.c. BSA Goldstar was an awesome bike in it's day can't imagine what an engine 10 times greater capacity must have been like when you let the clutch out and hit peak power!

 

[solarman216]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commer_TS3

I have never heard of this engine until I read this post so googled it for more information.

I love this Forum when these little golden nuggets of knowledge appear !

I worked on these engines and still have a cold chisel made from a broken supercharger shaft, really good piece of steel, Rick