Quote Originally Posted by Rrumbler View Post
Gotta love something like those bikes. Thanks for the pics.

I don't know why, considering that many of us are from the same generation, but it often amazes me how many of us have "round engine" experience; I cut my radial engine teeth on Mr. Sikorsky's egg beaters in 1960, and Uncle Sams Canoe Club kept me involved in them for several years.

I always thought that the valve actuation of radials was simplicity in action - one cam plate for intake, one for exhaust, instead of a whole bunch of bumps stretched out along a stick, at least that's what it seemed to me.
Rrumbler, I agree the cam action didn't mess with my mind near as much as trying to imagine the crank, and how it could possibly function with nine cylinders in such a narrow space. Once I heard the concept of one "Master Rod" in the classroom it was one of those "Wow" moments, followed by "Whoever thought of this the first time was a pretty smart guy!!"

I still recall the first time that I got tagged for a cylinder change on the 1820's we worked, and it happened to be #1 cylinder. The shop lead grabbed me as I started out the door and said, "You get that cylinder up towards TDC and lash that prop solid so that no jakeleg can move it either way, you hear me? I mean lash it solid, and hang a 'DO NOT MOVE' sign on it!! I'm not having you out there pulling every jug on that engine 'cause you let the *@#*+@#^ master rod fall!"