Most in-line engines were coupled using a chain coupler. It is like two sprockets wrapped with a roller chain. I will try to post some photos when I get back to my PC tonite. They were generally push started, untill some of the tracks installed roller starters. I have a video link showing Walt Austin's restored twin getting push started. Again I will have to get home to post the link. Updates later!
Side by sides were sometimes tilted so the flywheel starter gears would interlock,that's when they started building stuff to run one backwards.
Search for a post titled twin engines or something close to that. I'm sure that question got answered there.
The "Freight Train" has the chain and sprocket deal, and is push started. I guess you could use a battery starter, but it would have to be a lot of batteries
I could never understand how they connect to the front of the crank on the rear motor. I don't think that one bolt that holds the balancer on is going to handel the torque of the first engine. Here's a link to a site http://twotogo.homestead.com/index.html
That is a Great Site! Eddie Hill told me that his 2 motor car had 2 third members (1 for each engine) in the rear axle of his old car. He wasn't sure of how an "Old Timer Machinist down in Texas" put it all together for him.
On Al Liest's twin he had a coupler machined that the female part bolted on to the crank flange of thr front motor. The rear mptor had the male. The crank snout of the rear motor was grooved for a second keyway as was the male coupler. The couplers had a course, loose spline. It started conventionally with a plug in starter as in T/F cars.
i used to be involved in truck/tractor pulling and some of the guys running multi engine tractors had clutches, they would start the front one and when it was warm they let the clutch out and start the second one, and so on and so on. i also have a book around here some place that shows how to put twin engine in 60's moris or something like that, they ran 2 different carbs, one was set up better for low RPM's and one for high, not sure how the would work, i think they had a love joy coupler joining them.
Everytime I try and inspect one at the drags it always has a cover over the coupler so you can't see it. Now I know it's there for safety but it's like it's mocking me saying you can't look at me....lol
Check this out for some fun back in the day. http://www.twotogo.homestead.com/LeftyChet.html Yea, I used to watch them at Lions.
Slightly off topic, but twin engined, check out this toronado built by the owner of the grant piston company. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Othe...ategoryZ6472QQihZ013QQitemZ230120249086QQrdZ1
theres a post here somewhere that shows 2 SBCs side by side under construction the left or drivers side engine is in the frame backwards with the flywheel adapted to the crank snout,It meshes this ringgear with the one on the conventionally mounted engine the left side of the 1 bellhousing is cut away for then to mesh and an extension cover was made to cover the left flywheel
The Jalopy Journal
