Last May I started a thread entitled CS Deezil Replicas, which evolved into a discussion on both Gotham Hobby's originals and more recent versions. Various engine guys posted descriptions and photos about their experiences in running Burford, Cs, and Classic Old Time Engines (Perrysburg, Ohio) replicas. Rocketman asked if anyone had ever seen an original Deezil, known for their cheap price and awful quality, run, but no one responded affirmatively.

I acquired an original Deezil that is generally superior in materials and construction to the general population of them, likely an early example, but even that has insufficient compression to pop-let alone run. I have not made a new piston for it yet.

In the meantime, my friend, Luitpold Fiess, of Germany, bought a Deezil on eBay, also of better than average quality. Likewise, his would not even pop. Being more industrious than I, he cut grooves in the contrapiston for o-rings and made a new cast-iron piston. After fitting, compression is quite good. and it runs! Beautifully! See attached pic of Deezil in full song.

Luitpold reports 7,600 rpm with 10 x 3 propeller, 6,900 with 10 x 4, 5,700 with 11 x 4, all APCs. These results are about the same as others reported for the CS and Burford replicas in last May's thread. Luitpold says that his engine starts very easily, hot or cold, and is also easy to adjust. It would be a great beginner's diesel. Only real downside is that the compression lever will not hold its setting.

I wonder if Gordon Burford or Roger Schroeder actually ran an original Deezil, enhanced to have good fits, when they were planning their replicas. Luitpold has shown that , in its own way, the original design was just as good as their redesigns.

Makes me think about the original p .75 Mills, beloved for its easy starting and friendly disposition. Ironic that the Gotham Deezil might have been the American Mills, had they been well enough made to run well, let alone run at all!

Cheers. -Gary