Has anyone ever run a VW engine the opposite way?

[Jon]

It would require a few changes, but has anyone ever done it? I mean counterclockwise.
Most things have been done at some point, and I seem to remember reading about it at some point but I can't remember where.
Anyone?
 

[speedwell]

like this Jon .... ...OK I go out 

[Lee.C]

to what advantage I know Corvairs go the "wrong" way 

[Stripped66]

to what advantage I know Corvairs go the "wrong" way  

Perhaps to use a Corvair auto-transaxle?

At minimum you'd need a cam ground for reverse rotation, and a solution for the oil pump that otherwise would be trying to draw oil through its outlet. The distributor gear *might* cause some problem (or not?), but is nothing crank-fired ignition/EFI couldn't fix. The engine shouldn't care either way.

[RhoadsVW]

I remember in the 70's and 80 Scat did several reverse rotation engines with some luck in race cars.  I don't remember a lot about them but remember several customers coming by with them in their cars.

[Lee.C]

I remember in the 70's and 80 Scat did several reverse rotation engines with some luck in race cars.  I don't remember a lot about them but remember several customers coming by with them in their cars.

Hmmm interesting......

I am still not seeing much "Advantage" though 

[Jon]

I remember in the 70's and 80 Scat did several reverse rotation engines with some luck in race cars.  I don't remember a lot about them but remember several customers coming by with them in their cars.

Thanks for contributing Dave! Do you remember what kind of racecars they were? Sprints, drag racing or sandrails maybe?

[RhoadsVW]

The one that stands out was a red drag race car in 1985. Don't think there was any lettering on it but he stopped by to see Tom Lieb for some pointers on tuning and things for reverse rotation as he was on his way to Sac. Tom is very knowledgeable about reverse rotation and I remember several phone calls to him about it.

[brian e]

I remember in the 70's and 80 Scat did several reverse rotation engines with some luck in race cars.  I don't remember a lot about them but remember several customers coming by with them in their cars.

Hmmm interesting......

I am still not seeing much "Advantage" though 

Old story/rumor I heard was in the midwest V8 dirt track world, an old racer guy built a reverse rotation V8 and flipped the 9" third member over to get the thing to drive forward again.  The idea was that the torque of the now reversed engine torqued the car to the inside of the track, instead of the outside, and kept the car planted better while turning left.  It supposedly worked very well, and once discovered, it was quickly banned. 

Maybe Scat was doing something similar on their midget engines? 

[Jon]

But was it outlawed in PRA?

[Lee.C]

I remember in the 70's and 80 Scat did several reverse rotation engines with some luck in race cars.  I don't remember a lot about them but remember several customers coming by with them in their cars.

Hmmm interesting......

I am still not seeing much "Advantage" though 

Old story/rumor I heard was in the midwest V8 dirt track world, an old racer guy built a reverse rotation V8 and flipped the 9" third member over to get the thing to drive forward again.  The idea was that the torque of the now reversed engine torqued the car to the inside of the track, instead of the outside, and kept the car planted better while turning left.  It supposedly worked very well, and once discovered, it was quickly banned. 

Maybe Scat was doing something similar on their midget engines? 

Ahhhh I see..... I did think something like this Mightbe the reason but I didn't want to sound Stupid