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

I remember the discussion.

Years ago I asked if anyone had seen one run. George Aldrich (famous modeler to newbys) also said that the good ones ran like a Mills. Funny how Mills set the standard so long ago...mid/late nineteen forties.

I notice you are running the correct size prop...remember it is only 2cc (.12 ci). I would not use anything smaller than a 9x4 on these old long stroke diesels. They are meant to lug, not rev.

Good luck with yours, hope it runs as well as your friend's.

George

In addition to the DEEZIL 2cc, I have always wondered about the C.I.E. sold by Modelcraft in the same time
period. Also a diesel 2cc engine, I've never heard of a running review, modern or otherwise. Wasn't RJL
gonna make these once? My CS Deezil runs great, I used my standard formula, which it loves. remember
also, the replica Deezils are made with contemporary materials and we do not need the 1/3-1/3-1/3 mix.

When I go home, I'm curious to read my notes, for what I got for running performance using my fuel.

Tony G

Hi
Just reading the comments about the deezil motor. Today I bought one of these motors at a swap meet just out of curiosity. It has the word "DEEZIL" stamped on the front of the case and turns over freely. After I look at this motor for awhile and admire I may be putting it up for sale. It appears to have some running on it. It came in a box from GOTHAM HOBBY CO., 101 East 126th St, New York 35, N. Y.
It look like the motor shown in the picture on this forum.
Like to hear from someone. [email protected] phone 507-451-8105

Here you go Tony,

CIE from Los Angelos

Vivell from San Francisco

Great to see an original Gotham City Wonder running
Good Work Men

Does the Vivell use a rotor or a reed?

George

Thanks, Rob, I checked the Mecoa site and RJL has the CIE on his to do list(likely never...)

Tony

From what I understand, none of the engine producers in the USA can exist just by producing engines. They seem to do contract work first, then engines.

Apparently Randy is fortunate enough to be busy with other projects. I'm waiting for him to make another run of those Forster .35 sparkies.

George

I purchased one of those "Deezil" engines from GHS when I was in highschool. Initially, I could not make it run. Several years later, after learning more about model engines and successfully using an OS .15 diesel engine in a RC pylon racer I was able to start the Deezil. It barely ran and as I remember it it was very touchy on the compression and needle vavle adjustments. Prop used was probably a 9x6 or maybe a 10x6.
Anyway this thread was an interesting read and brought back some memories from the 50,s for me.

John
Scottsdale, Az

John,

Now that you know how to run diesels, give the DEEZIL a chance. I would check the needle assembly to see that the spraybar hole does not have burrs and is oriented correctly, and that the needle is properly tapered and not bent or off-center.

Also make sure it is completely broken-in using short/peak runs followed by complete cool-down to provide proper iron/steel heat cycles. Since it is a long stroke engine, the large props you used are a good size.

I have not had problems with my compression adjustment. My experience has been that most long stroke diesels are not too sensitive on compression adjustment.

George

Here's my DEEZIL:

Hi George
Good info. on how to run the Deezil engine. It would have been very helpful 50 years ago when I first tried to use it. Not sure what happened to it later, probably ended up in the trash when the old family house in Chicago was sold.

John

Of interest to Deezils!
Thinning the herd.
Listed on the auction site.

Gordon Burford Deezil - 200406379733
[link=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200406379733&ru=http%3 A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trks id%3Dm38%26_nkw%3D200406379733%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1]Burford Deezil[/link]

Original Deezil - 200406369165
[link=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200406369165&ssPageNam e=STRK:MESELX:IT]Original Deezil[/link]

Deezil Casting Kit (Roger Schroder) - 200406370926
[link=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200406370926&ssPageNam e=STRK:MESELX:IT]Deezil Casting Kit[/link]

Hi Rob- I saw your DEEZIL offerings on eBay and sent you a question. Now I see that you are the same Rob that posts on Everything Diesel. Anyway, I wonder if you would scan the Gordon Burford Deezil instructions and email them to me? Or photocopy and snailmail. Of course I will pay you for your trouble.

BTW, I notice from the photo that your GB Deezil has a different-style prop driver than mine. Mine is like the original Deezil , a thin steel knurled washer with a D-shaped hole to register with the threaded part of the crankshaft, which has a lendtwise flat. Yours is much thicker with a smaller diameter aft section-perhaps mounts with a collet like the Schroeder and CS designs...

Interesting that your original Deezil has good compression. I am in the midst of making a new piston, contrapiston, connecting rod, and wrist pin for mine so I can run it, as my German friend Luitpold has done. Also I really should make a new crankshaft bushing. All the parts of my Deezil are quite good quality (for instance, the cylinder is quite round and has a nice lengthwise taper of a couple of ten thousI could not improve it by lapping). But the fits are not...

Thanks. Regards. -Gary

Gary, Will happily get you some photo copies.
The original engine seems to have decent fits and makes a good pop - needs some more fiddeling however. I am just finding myself spread thin between to many pursuits and needing to streamline them a bit for my own sanity. Am keeping my GB twin needle Deezil however!