My GHQ Does Run

[Bill Mohrbacher]

For those of you at Brodak's this year, here is a video of my GHQ running.
What an embarrassing day!

[FLOYD CARTER]

I also got a GHQ to actually run!  But not before lapping flat the cylinder head, bypass, crankcase cover, and making new gaskets.  I didn't have a tach at the time, but I estimate about 5000 RPM tops!

There has always been talk about that LH prop that came with GHQ.  Since it is a sideport, and since the spark timer can rotate 360 deg. you can set the spark timing to run either CCW or CW.  RPM is the same either way.

With a massive cast iron cylinder and cyl. head, it is a heavy beast.  I have heard of some doing OK in boats.

Floyd

[Tim Wescott]

Just repeating rumor here, but:

The story I heard on those is that the basic design is actually quite good, but it was sold to America Hobby Center which had it manufactured as cheaply as possible, so the execution was generally very poor.

I haven't seen this in person, but I've heard that after you rebuild it (like Floyd did) it's a fine engine for the time that it was built.

[Bill Mohrbacher]

I did make new gaskets for mine and I assembled it correctly.  I didn't need to true things up.  A kid could easily have fouled up the gaskets put the piston or rod in backward, etc.  I still think the biggest problem would have been the coarse nv tip and the fact it would only run from 1/4 to 3/4 turn open.  Most guys today would have a problem lucking into that window.  And it won't run outside of that!

[John Cralley]

My very first model engine was a GHQ back in the mid 1940s. I built an Aircoupe and installed the GHQ (which did run - sort of) and took it out to learn to fly control line. All I learned was how to taxi in a circle and that the GHQ was not worth messing with. After I mowed enough lawns that I could afford a Forster 29 I got the Aircoupe airborne!! 

[Randy Ryan]

Just repeating rumor here, but:

The story I heard on those is that the basic design is actually quite good, but it was sold to America Hobby Center which had it manufactured as cheaply as possible, so the execution was generally very poor.

I haven't seen this in person, but I've heard that after you rebuild it (like Floyd did) it's a fine engine for the time that it was built.

That's correct Tim, the predecessor was the Loutrel and it was a quite fine engine considering the state of the art of that period (1931). The GHQ (General Head Quarters to impress young guys at the time) was a continuation but not by the same people. Quality was dropped and it was very similar to the situation with the Deezil which was also a wonderfully sound design that was executed in an extremely poor way. The later GHQ, with the stamped steel pistons were absolutely horrible, the port drillings were or appear to have bee done with a hand drill or on a drill press with no location control so that port timing is ?? whatever the resultant holes made it to be. Still, with a properly fitted piston and crankshaft and properly sealed bypass and crankcase they can be made to run and some run very well albeit only by chance.

[goozgog]

Bill.
   There was nothing embarrassing about it!
I think most of us were happy just to see this
legendary humbug.
   If it started and ran like it does in your video,
it would have taken some of the shine off the myth.
We didn't doubt that your skills would get it going
no matter what.
Thanks for this (cough, choke, sputter) blast from the past!