Not a slant. 1947 boat Engine

And now, yet another annoying story from the old days

From about 80-87 I worked for a huge parts store/ heavy hardware/ logging/ rigging/ hydraulics/ welding/ and later fasteners store here in town.

We had a nice guy, he knew the boss and manager, was into real estate and partly retired. He'd come and go, south for the winter, and travel, etc, etc.

One time he came in and made arrangements to get a marine Ford Y block overhauled and off it went to the Spokane rebuilder, and came back. He picked it up, and disappeared as usual.

Sometime later he came in a few times, could not get it to fire. One afternoon I talked to him, and I told, him, I'm no expert, least of all the old Y blocks. But I'd be happy to take a look.

So I went down, with some tools, after work. Here is this nice little classic old ?? 15ft with this Ford. He had the rocker covers off, and I looked over the no1 valves, and set up the distributor. I was not exactly sure of the Y block firing order, so I tried to bump it around and determine what valves were "next." Nothing made sense???!!!!! I went around, set no1 back up (both valves closed) and started over. NOTHING made sense.

Then I finally REALIZED IT WAS REVERSE rotation!!!

The rebuilder happily found him a cam, but here is the poor punchline!!!

That engine, with (likely) an automotive crank, will ALWAYS leak some oil out the main.

And the poor sap farmer who ended up with that marine reverse crank in his beater old Ford Farm Truck, will ALWAYS wonder WHY THAT DAMN THING DRIPS OIL!!!