[SEL] Did they ever make?

[Larry Evans]

>
>They are almost certainly 180 degrees, same as most Lister twins. You
>then get a 'bang, bang, silence, silence' sort of firing which does
>sound odd but the balance is better than 360 degree cranks like the
>british motorcycles had, the firing pulses were even but the balancing
>was awful.
>
>I think the big Fairbanks-Morse up at the Mount Wilson observatory has
>360 degree cranks if my memory isn't too bad.
>
>
>Peter

Your memory is fine Peter.  The 2 cylinder 50 HP Fairbanks Morse Type RE at 
Mt. Wilson has a 360 degree crankshaft and the cylinders are on opposite 
cycles. As they approach tdc one is on compression and the other is on 
exhaust.  The flywheels are not counterbalanced but the crankshaft is.  The 
engine appears to run very smooth but fact that each flywheel weighs about 
one ton and the engine is solidly bolted to a large concrete pier might 
have something to do with it.

For those that might be new to the list take a look at my web site (URL in 
signature below) to see some pictures of it.

Regards,

Larry Evans
Arcadia, Southern California, USA
MailTo:LFEVANS at pacbell.net
http://www.oldengine.org/members/levans/