[SEL] Did they ever make?

Peter A Forbes diesel at easynet.co.uk
Sat Jan 1 10:01:42 PST 2005


On Sat, 01 Jan 2005 09:44:23 -0800, you wrote:

>
>>
>>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

Thanks for confirming that for me, Larry, there's also some pictures of the
beastie on our website under the Mount Wilson icon on the front page.

Peter





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