Cylinder Count
 

Peter Egan wrote a column years ago about how he and his friends would do a count to see who had the most working cylinders between all their cars, bikes, mowers etc... You can only count engines that you could go out and start RIGHT NOW, ie not apart on the workbench or in a 15 year hibernation in the garage.

Here's Mine:

Benz -6
Samurai -4
Mercury outboard -2
Neptune "mighty Mite" outboard -1
Homelite chainsaw -1
lawnmower -1
Total= 15

Who's the top dog here?

89 944 NA: 4
38 Buick: 8
61 Solex: 1
Total: 13

If I get to count my wife's car, then
08 Cooper S: 4
Total: 17

911 - 6
F-150 - 8
B-250 - 8
Mariner outboard - 6
Chainsaw(s) - 2
Lawnmower(s) - 2
otther equip - 3
Total: 35

edited: Harley + 2
Total: 37

Dang!

Benz = 8
BMW (2) X 6 = 12
911 = 6
Minivan = 6
Willys Jeep = 4
Chainsaw = 1
Mower = 1
Powerwasher = 1
Mini (coming soon) =4

43

Damn all these 4 cylinders
miata - 4
CRX - 4
S10 - 4
Lawnmower - 1
GTI - 4

Total = 17

I think you should have to subtract the non-working from the working.

'00 Acura 1.6EL: + 4
'80 Ford F150: +8
'67 Ford LTD: +8
'56 Oldsmobile Holiday 88: +8
mercury outboard: +2
air compressor: +1
chainsaw: +1
mower: +1
grasswhip: +1
leaf blower: +1

'77 Porsche 930: -6 :cry:

35 the easy way and 29 the hard way. :D

Wife's car (Toyota Solara) = 6
911 = 6
944 = 4
M/C = 4
914 = 4
M.B. = 6
Emergency Generator = 1

Total =25

If you count the complete spare 944 engine I have in the garage, 29. I also have a spare block (incomplete) but that apparently doesn't count.

Any way you slice it, that's a lot of stuff to keep sealed and leak-free. :)

69-912=4
72-VW=4
86-GMC=8
86-911=6
98-Honda=4
98-VW=4
1918-SE5a=4
Lawnmower=1
Snowblower=1
Compressor=1
Chainsaw=1

Total 38

Oh. I gotta keep them leak free? Oops.

That's a great idea, but it would really complicate things. I have some engines that will only work above 60*F.

Then there's my wife. Some of the engines won't start for her... so would I count these? She can't start the lawnmower or the samurai (I think this is merely *convenient*). The chainsaw DOES start for her, which is a bit nerve-racking for me. And the outboards... my wife is like Kryptonite to outboard motors. My 9.8 will work like a charm for weeks on end, but as soon as she's on the boat it won't start... especially if I'm about to dock, or if the weather's bad and I dropped the sails.

Spare engines don't count, unless they're hooked up to a key and you can't start them RIGHT NOW. If we started counting spare and non-working engines, then I'd be "outed" as the nut that I am. I have umpteenish non-runners and "just-in-case I ever need a worn out diesel engine" spares.. No whole cars, just engines. I can't help myself... but who can say NO to a used 2.2 911 engine for $200, or a whole 1.9 diesel for $50?!?

I forgot the Harley :( ...I'm got 37

ps: the "leak free" reminded me :)

I need more money.

Grand Cherokee: 8
Carrera: 6

Total: 14

Well, I should have said, that's a lot of stuff to TRY and keep sealed and leak-free. :)

Ever think about how much time/effort/money we put into trying to simply reverse the effects of entropy/time? It's staggering. Car repairs, medical care, cleaning stuff, repairing stuff around the house that breaks, etc.

Probably 80% of my resources go in some way or form to this (just got me thinking about it. . .) Scary, isn't it?

Flat head motors X a factor of 2.5

A possible 10 pts.:rolleyes:

Does the M.B. being twin-plugged count for anything?

lawnmower - 1
1952 bug - 4
1956 ghia - 4
1957 single cab - 4
1959 ambulance - 4
1960 panel - 4
1961 double cab - 4
1968 single cab - 4
1969 bug - 4
1977 911 - 6
1995 M3 - 6
1600 spare engine (hook up my starter rig and push the button) - 4
engine out of '57 deluxe (hook up my starter rig and push the button) - 4
spare 36hp engine (hook up my starter rig and push the button) - 4
5hp air compressor - 2
pneumatic press - 1
hydraulic lift - 2

Total: 62

Yea, I think we should count total spark plugs that would give me 10 more!

Yes it is, and sometimes it comes in overwhelming waves. Last fall was bad... Suzuki wouldn't start, roof needed to be done, had trouble with the jetta... it went on and on. After a while, you start to recognize which ones are lost battles, and you cut your losses. Over time, it's also made me much more careful about the work I do... much more "while I'm in here" work, and much more careful about doing things RIGHT. Like John Walker said once: "If you can't afford to do it right, you really can't afford to do it wrong"

No if we did it by "spark plug count" then I'd only be at 5. My "street fleet" has no spark plugs

BMW - 6
4Runner- 6
Trooper- 6
Toyota Tacoma- 4
Ford F-150 - 8
Massey Ferg 235 - 3
2 MF 2300 tractors - 6
Grove Manlift - 2
Honda dirtbike- 1
Yamaha 90 - 1
Wood splitter - 1
2 pole chain saws - 2
2 trash pumps - 2
2 chain saws - 2
Power washer - 1

Total: 53:eek:

Edit: 2 emergency generators - 2
My bet, Tim Hancock will rule.