After many years, which included some unfortunate mechanical setbacks, Russell Sutton has his nine cylinder radial running with a 300 horsepower Sensenich propeller mounted, generating 800 pounds of thrust. For those of you who have come in late, this is an engine, designed from scratch, cases milled from aluminum with nine cylinders from Honda XR600 motorcycle engines. And if you did come in late, you should check our many previous articles, it's quite a story.
As the photo above shows, he mounted a supercharger to be sure he had sufficient power for the 300 horsepower prop, but the engine easily ran through the prop's rpm limit without any assistance. Russell figures it could spin a 350 horsepower prop without trouble. Not bad for a home brew engine, don't you think?
In the video below, with the engine in a trailer, Russell takes us on a short walk around before firing it up. It sounds absolutely smooth and obviously powerful. After all of the work on this project, it's great to see it all come together. What an amazing engine!
The next two videos show the engine, still in the trailer, but hooked to a Toyota truck. The only power moving the truck is the push from the propeller. He says they had an easy 40 mph on the dirt and 60 mph on asphalt.
From our first look in May of 2008, when he was already several years into the project, until now, it's hard to appreciate the time, effort and perseverence needed to bring this project to the end. Really great work Russell!
John Keegan says
A damn long time in construction! I’ve traded-in two bikes, had a kid (well, wifey did), bought a bigger house and survived a cancer surgery. The only other longer running project to my memory and still unfinished on this blog, is the Baddog 215 v-twin. Congrats on finishing a project to which I would have long ago dumped in the smelter and used to recycle money towards a decent Lycoming or Chevy LS-1.
Anywho, now that it is spinning a prop, and aside from the pride, does it prove to be worth the long and arduous trek?
Russell Sutton says
Is it worth the long and arduous trek?.Waiting for around five years all up to get the parts made is the arduous part.When you finally get the parts, working on the project is always fun. Not so good when it throws a rod and piston, but when you design your own engine with basically guess work in my case you find out pretty quick where you went wrong. It hurt but its a good feeling to fix it up and make the design better, And one knows that plenty of people around the world have taken an interest in the engine and would like to see it succeed.This drove me along when the going wasn’t so good.
Now that it is finished and making such good power I am immensley pleased with it. And it is a nice looking engine too.
Of course plenty of other people are doing far more clever things (just take a look around this site for a start) but one has to work within your neural capacity and this radial is it for me. I really hope the fourteen cylinder engine works out as good. I also hope it doesn’t take as long. But to date it certaily doesn’t look that way. But like the nine the fourteen will be worth it however long it takes.
Paulinator says
…then a 28 cylinder corn Cobb with a 7/8 scale Sea Fury shaped engine mount? I hope to soon join your lofty ranks with my scratch-built 33cc monster. It was built to 43cc, but I had to de-stroke the beast. There was too much mechanical violence!!! Following along with your posts has been very helpful. Thank you for your example of incredible perseverance.
p.s. I’ve been having a blast with my little project.
Lee Wilcox says
I don’t think I want to be pushed by a propeller on a trailer. Takes a bit more trust than I’m capable of.
FREEMAN says
Haha, that’s awesome.
JR says
I am awe-struck by your talents and perseverance. I am also amazed at your ability to tolerate that squawking bird! Perhaps a 9 barreled Gatling Gun should be your next project…
Wave says
Congratulations Russell!
Tanshanomi says
Reading about the accomplishments of guys like Russell, Aniket, and Paul Brodie make me feel so odd. I am simultaneously inspired to attempt the impossible and angry with myself for being such a lazy git.
Lost Boy says
That is the smoothest radial engine Ive ever heard. It almost sounds better than the original startup video.