Engine: 289 rotation direction?

[Farrier1951]

So here is a basic question guys. If I stand in front of the engine facing it, which way does the crank turn while running? Clockwise or counterclockwise? Probably a dumb question but that has never stopped me before!
Thanks
Jim

[dictator27]

Clockwise.

[duncan1951]

The urban legend is that since the majority of people are right handed it was decided best that horseless carriage motors turn clockwise when being faced with a crank handle in hand.

[Farrier1951]

Thanks fellas!

[thunderations]

Don't automotive engines modified for marine use rotate counterclockwise? Is this because most pirates were left handed due to sword fights or shark attacks and they couldn't pull the crank with the hook? Just wondering..........

The urban legend is that since the majority of people are right handed it was decided best that horseless carriage motors turn clockwise when being faced with a crank handle in hand.

[Alan]

I had a 50' Tri-miran that had 2 483 BBC Turbo marine engines and one turned CW the other CCW. It is to keep the boat from torquing over in the water.

[duncan1951]

Don't automotive engines modified for marine use rotate counterclockwise? Is this because most pirates were left handed due to sword fights or shark attacks and they couldn't pull the crank with the hook? Just wondering..........

I believe this to be absolutely true however in the automotive world at that time, pirates did not have a majority in the potential car buying demographic so sadly they were not considered in this decision. In todays world the "handicap" of having a hook for a hand would have been considered more seriously and/or a special government grant would be offered to come up with an alternative thus speeding up the implementation of a starting aid such as an electric starter motor OR a peacecore volunteer to ride along and start the car for the unfortunate.

[dictator27]

The urban legend is that since the majority of people are right handed it was decided best that horseless carriage motors turn clockwise when being faced with a crank handle in hand.

Ironically, the correct way to crank an engine which turns clockwise (IOW most engines) is with the LEFT hand. That way, if the engine backfires, the crank would roll out of your fingers without causing injury. If you crank with the right hand and have your thumb over the crank, a backfire can cause a broken wrist or elbow, commonly known as a Ford fracture. Putting your thumb UNDER the crank handle will reduce, but not eliminate, the possibility of injury. The invention of the electric starter was a direct result of a backfire causing serious injury to the person cranking and ultimately his death.

I can think of two antique cars which had counterclockwise rotating engines, the Brush and non Knight engined Stearns. In both cases that was done as a safety feature because most people cranked with their right hand.

What well known modern car uses CCW rotating engines?

Terry

[55s]

Don't know if its true or not, (my V8 inline cars are away for the winter, all of the others have motors going sideways), but I was told that this (clockwise motion when viewed from the front) creates a torque going to the right or outwards. On short oval tracks, I was told by a winning driver that the engine was modified to go in the opposite direction so that it torqued to the left or inward. Is this true?

re: Your question, Terry - I'm going to guess Hondas.

[55s]

I think I guessed the correct answer because I just Googled it. Corvairs and Hondas used to go CCW, but apparently new North American ones go CW since 2000-2005.

[63r2]

The funniest thread I have read in years.
pb