The Kneeslider

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XR600 9 Cylinder Radial Engine Update with Video

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Russell Sutton with his 9 cylinder radial engine built using cylinders from a Honda XR600
Russell Sutton with his 9 cylinder radial engine built using cylinders from a Honda XR600

If you're one of The Kneeslider's many readers who is interested in Russell Sutton's 9 cylinder radial engine, the one he's building from the cylinders of a Honda XR600, you'll want to have a look at these videos. The engine isn't complete yet, but Russell is to the testing stage, running the assembly with external power to test the balance and lubrication. There are two videos here, in the first, you get a walk through of the oiling system and some of the component parts and in the second he spins the engine up and gets the oil flowing. Since the heads are off, you have the opportunity to view the many pistons moving in their cylinders, a nice perspective you seldom see.

The other take away here, is Russell's shop. Notice all of the high tech advanced computer controlled machine tools, ... wait a minute, there's none of that, just hand tools, knowledge, skill and passion. Isn't it amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it? Nice work, Russell!

Thanks to Ian Drysdale for sending the update.

Videos below:

Comments

  1. An impressive project, Russell! I wish you all the best of luck in getting it running. It’s well-thought-out, and you’ll sort the oiling problem. What are your plans for the finished engine? It would be fabulous powering an experimental aircraft. I’m eager to hear it running — there’s nothing quite like a radial!

  2. How very cool! I too hope the little bugs get worked out as I’d LOVE to hear it fire on it’s own. I had have a vague plan to build a V-6 or V-8 from a pile of thumpers. Dunno what I’d even put it in but I giggle a little thinking about it.

  3. Way to go, Russell ! That thing is gonna be LOUD.

    By the way, are you free to help me button up my ’98 Vulcan 800?
    (Just joking)

  4. Somehow the oil running out of it reminds me of my old Gold Star.

    Great project though. I wonder if he’s related to John Britten?

  5. Hawk — LOL about the Goldie. My B50 isn’t far behind!

    I did some quick mental math, and if the stroke on this motor is stock, it’ll be a 5.6 liter mill. That should pump out some serious power!

    • Actually it’s going to be an 8 liter. It’s a stroker.

      Russell explains in a comment on our original post about the engine here.

  6. Cor Blimey! We’re talking 400 hp or better! I hope he sends a video with sound when it’s running!

  8. I rode in a heavy iron 8 liter (Cadillac-engined) airboat that did just fine at 3500 rpm with a direct-coupled prop. This swamp beast should be Awesome!!!

    Reading about this project is very “motivational” for a guy who just wants to build a clean and ultra-reliable little two-stroke single…but first I gotta catch happy hour.

  9. Russell’s aim is 350 hp at 3,500 rpm with a low pressure supercharger.

    The stroke is nominally 118mm ( up from 85mm ), although one oddity of a radial is that every piston has a different stroke – from memory they vary from 118.5mm down to about 116.0mm. Piston size is 0.5mm smaller than std as Russ is using car pistons due to the higher side loading as the rods are much heavier than the std XR rods.

    It’s good to see the engine running is smoothly, which is a relief as I designed and built the crank & rods for Russell – thanks to Paul at Rotec Radials for advice on balance factors etc.

    Cheers IAN

  11. I have owned a XR600 since 1987 and it is 1 fantastic engine with a beautiful power range and tons of torque,

    I always thought it would make the perfect V-Twin and if I was as talented as the gentleman undertaking this project,

    well I guess it would be a done deal by now..

  13. I still love that it will have 72 rocker arms. And, yes, as far as I know this is the only true hemispherical-4-valve (per cylinder) radial in existence; one for the history books for sure.

    I can’t wait to hear it light off and see the flames shoot from the exhaust.

    -todd

  16. Just a note to say I have been unable to make a video of the oil system changes. Many people leave the area over the Xmas break including those who have video cameras. My apologies.
    I ran another oil line from the rear of the engine between the bottom two cly’s, through the side of the gear case to the crank pump. Testing was very successful and by turning the external relief valve bolt I was able to set the pressure to any value from 30 to 60psi. Prefect.
    The cam oil supply flow is a bit low at idle speed, so I will fit a wider pump housing to the supply end of the BDG pump and that will fix that problem.
    Have started the final build and would like to light the fires before mid 2012.
    Regards Russell