Opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder engine

**Slyer** · 10th March 2009, 09:06

http://engineeringtv.com/blogs/etv/a...er-engine.aspx
Very interesting. Have people tried things like this before?

**CookMySock** · 10th March 2009, 10:05

One of the old truck engines (TS3) had two opposing pistons in one combustion chamber. They ran six pistons in three combustion chambers, countilevered onto a single crankshaft (I think). They were two stroke with a big rootes supercharger. They were widely respected as a powerful lightweight engine, and had a mean sound to them, especially with the exhaust off. Not a patch on todays modern truck engines of course.

Steve

**BMWST?** · 10th March 2009, 10:15

some of the old steam engines in ships used that design too

**Ixion** · 10th March 2009, 10:27

Come back Dr Fred, we need you. It's as old as the industry , and older.

I think the engine DB referred to is the Napier Deltic. Ask Mr Motu about that it's one of his favourites.

**DangerMice** · 10th March 2009, 10:27

It's been a few years and my memory is fuzzy, but isn't there something similar at MOTAT? In same hall as the vintage cars?

**CookMySock** · 10th March 2009, 10:55

Originally Posted by Ixion

I think the engine DB referred to is the Napier Deltic. Ask Mr Motu about that it's one of his favourites.

no no, the Deltic was another two-stroke engine - often used in patrol boats and locomotives. The Deltic was a spectaularly beautiful engine to listen to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBkQQftn-AM

Steve

**Bass** · 10th March 2009, 11:02

Originally Posted by Ixion

Come back Dr Fred, we need you. It's as old as the industry , and older.

I think the engine DB referred to is the Napier Deltic. Ask Mr Motu about that it's one of his favourites.

Actually, if he's including levers in there, isn't it more likely to be a Commer?
The Deltic (magnificent beast) avoided levers by having the cranks at the corners IIRC.

**CookMySock** · 10th March 2009, 11:12

Originally Posted by Bass

Actually, if he's including levers in there, isn't it more likely to be a Commer?

Yes it was the commer TS3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfKmkitnqQY

**JMemonic** · 10th March 2009, 12:33

Interesting find, isnt it great when they revive older ideas and use modern machining and technology to produce something.

**Bass** · 10th March 2009, 14:57

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Yes it was the commer TS3.

Two Stroke x 3 cylinder maybe?

**Laava** · 10th March 2009, 15:50

Commer Knocker they nick-named it I think. It sounded awesome!

**Motu** · 10th March 2009, 17:10

I think you will find all opposed piston engines are 2 stroke diesels...although with direct injection a 2 stroke petrol would work too.

The TS3 was only 202cu in,same as an HQ Holden - and I have a picture in front of me of a TS3 powered Commer CB stock truck pulling a 2 axle trailer and a box over the cab loaded with sheep.I doubt if a 202 Holden could pulled that combo empty down hill,let alone loaded and pull it over the Kaimai's

I grew up to the sound of TS3's and my father was a big fan of them,and once worked at a Commer dealer so he could work on them more.My uncle also had a TS3 stock truck.The TS3 was disapearing when I was working on trucks in the '70's,but I did get to do a bit on them.....and more importantly to drive them and revell in the glorious noise.

**peasea** · 10th March 2009, 17:19

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

One of the old truck engines (TS3) had two opposing pistons in one combustion chamber. They ran six pistons in three combustion chambers, countilevered onto a single crankshaft (I think). They were two stroke with a big rootes supercharger. They were widely respected as a powerful lightweight engine, and had a mean sound to them, especially with the exhaust off. Not a patch on todays modern truck engines of course.

Steve

You're right, I used to recondition them in Wellington. Certified Concrete used to run them in their trucks, weird cube-shaped block, big fuck-off cantilever 'rockers' and a central crank. Commer I think they were, really heavy to work with but by all accounts a good machine when running right.