ok..... what are the chances that you have the only engine we have all seen that runs exactly backwards of all of ours? And you also have a reverse pitch prop?????

This airplane wouldn'y be a skymaster would it? with the (pusher prop) prop in the rear of the plane??????????

Call me crazy, but something here just ain't right. Yes, there are some engines designed to run clockwise. These are for specific un-orthodox installations. get this..... if it indeed were designed to run clockwise.... you would need a special reverse pitch prop, no? Compare it to all the other ones in the hobby shop. The hobby shop only will carry one or two reverse props, but maybe 50 or so regular props.

Furthermore, like i said, my normal (c-clockwise as viewed from the PROPSHAFT END) .61 will run backwards, does not produce oppisite thrust (to make the plane fly in reverse???) it will fly like that, plenty of thrust to fly patterns !!!!!


Something here just ain't right..................

Well, there are engines that run "backwards" (clockwise), and there are crankshafts that you can pop into a stock engine to make it run backwards (at full power), and there are simple changes to the intake porting that a sharp person with a dremel can do himself (and can probably even figure out how to do himself... think about it) to make an engine run backwards at full power.

And If I bought an engine with a prop, I would the prop to match the engine, so I wouldn't be too surprised if a backward engine came with a pusher prop.

... But that's a lot of IFs.

Steve-o... That's a mystery to me... I've always recognized an engine running backwards by the wash blowing the wrong way and by it not being able to come oup to power. When it's running backwards with a "normal" (tractor type) prop and still thrusting forward and spools up to flying power, what about it tells you that it IS running backwards?

All I did was change the polarity for the starter motor so it spins clockwise instead of counter clockwise, and the engine starts and runs. I found the sweet spot for the needle valve and the engine runs fine at all throttle speeds. Well except for real low and then it dies but that is what it is supposed to do. Yes, I did check the props and they are reversed.

i started it with the starter...... spinning it clockwise. taxied around, took off!!!!!!for it to push a LOT of air forward (enough to push the plane in reverse) it would also have to be a reverse pitched prop.

If you look at a prop, spin it slowly backwards, you will see ( at least on a 7.5" pitch) that it still screws into the air.


i dont have the answers, just the experiences.

Steve-o... I don't think I'm following...

First, it sounds like you know the engine is running backwars only because the started was turning backwards -- but glow engines often backfire or just kick against compression and end up running in the direction opposite that of the starter, especially if the glow plug is too hot. (For gas engines, a lot of them are started by intentionally flipping backward into the compression and letting the prop bounce back hard enough to start in the forward direction... and I have seen the same technique used in hand starting larger glow engines as well.) So you can't really tell engine direction just by starter direction.

And on the other item you say that, "If you look at a prop, spin it slowly backwards, you will see ( at least on a 7.5" pitch) that it still screws into the air." If you're saying that your particular prop screws into the air in a forward direction when you turn it "backwards", sure, that could well be.

But it almost sounded like you meant that it would screw into the air in a forward direction when you turn it in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction... if that were possible, then a bolt could be made the same way to go always in to a nut no matter which direction you turn it. That can't be (at least not within the rules established by what physics courses I've had).

So, I'm still a llittle lost by all of this, but I'm glad it works for you.

i know it is spinnning backwards....... because it IS spinning backwards. cranking it over clockwise until it strarts with a starter motor..... and seeing it come to a stop, i am 100% unequivicably without a doubt certain it is spinning clockwise.


now for the prop thing. if you where to hold the prop as it would sit on the crank....."master airscrew" to the front........ spin it backwards slowly, at the root of the blade, it will screw into the air.... and pull the acft forward. Honest it will.


i dunno, it really flies like that.....

I'm gonna offer a guess... amid all the confusion... that the engine is indeed running clockwise and has a reverse pitch prop because it was used on someones twin prior to getting installed on the trainer. I wonder if your friend you got it from ever flew the plane?

He did fly it. It was a while ago and he is helping me learn from his mistakes. He told me the first time he flew he lasted about 30 seconds and crashed. He doesn't want to see me make the same mistakes he did.

Besides, too many crashes get too expensive...........