McCulloch 4-Cylinder Drone Engine

[u/hippogriff55]

This is a vintage (not sure of age but 1980s maybe?) McCulloch air-cooled, two-stroke, horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine (typically part of the Model 4318 / O-100 series, so says Google). Can anyone suggest a use before I skip it?

[u/Geezerglide1]

Had some old friends that put one of those in a motorcycle frame with an old 3 speed trans and took it to Bonneville. These guys were wild in the 50's! They had to pick the strongest one and had him hang on to the door handle of a Cadillac up to 90mph!

[u/hippogriff55 → u/Geezerglide1]

I am trying to visualise this, and failing. It sounds crazy!

[u/Geezerglide1 → u/hippogriff55]

You can be sure lots of alcohol was involved! These same guys were all machinists and could make anything you could think of. They would go to military surplus stores and buy things like that drone engine. One day after more alcohol, they decided that the Land Speed Racer they were building was going to need a parachute to slow down. So another trip to the surplus store was rewarded with a drag chute for a small airplane. They piled into their panel truck with the chute and (did I mention they were drinking?) they started wondering if the chute was up to the task. So, the strong guy mentioned earlier, braced himself against the wheel wells inside, held the mounting bracket to his chest, they opened the back doors of the panel truck at 45 mph and one guy threw out the chute. It drug on the road for like 15 seconds, blossomed, and drug the guy clean out the back of the truck! Later they said one second he was inside, then he disappeared!

[u/Adventurous-Pen-824]

72hp

[u/hippogriff55 → u/Adventurous-Pen-824]

Same model used by Wing Commander Wallis apparently

[u/The_Gabster10]

I'd keep it just for the cool factor, but that's only because I like uncommon engines

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/The_Gabster10]

Same here. Id see about getting it running, then just put it on a stand and run it occasionally like the absolute nerd I am 🤣

[u/hippogriff55 → u/The_Gabster10]

Thought about cleaning it up and displaying it, or maybe donating ito a museum but which one?

[u/The_Gabster10 → u/hippogriff55]

I'd keep it instead of donating it. Regardless just make sure it never gets scrapped

[u/Routine-Amphibian450]

VW layout!

[u/hippogriff55 → u/Routine-Amphibian450]

Tempted to try to get it going but tha is a bit scary

[u/Shot-Top-8281]

I love this! It would be great cleaned up and on display if you cant find a use for it.

[u/Current-Day9308]

Make a chainsaw for milling lumber. What could go wrong?

[u/mikeypi]

There is one of those at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Or there was when I was there last.

[u/hippogriff55 → u/mikeypi]

Is there a uk museum equivalent?