This Comment relates to the Victa-Sarich story in Curios & Stories HERE. Jack, the orbital engine concept was somewhat stupid and self-evidently impractical. However its inventor was a very good promoter and attracted a lot of cash - in particualr, $50 million from BHP, then public sales of shares. The dumb orbital engine idea was dropped fairly early, but the firm, under BHP's guidance, recruited some capable mechanical engineers, who quickly became focused on making direct injection work in petrol engines. This had been more or less impractical up until then, mainly because of injector fouling by coking. Some other companies also worked on direct injection. However the orbital engine company was successful enough to get their system into high-volume use on outboard engines, where there were fairly stringent emissions standards coming into effect. Essentially, either direct injection had to be applied, or the engines had to become four-stroke to meet the standards. So, although Mr. Sarich was, I would say, not much of an inventor, his company was instrumental in the development of a successful outboard motor development.
I have kept your important comment on the Sarich Engine with the History Record.
I reproduce it here, so that others may wish to reply to the story.
I wonder whether the Victa 2-stroke engine days are numbered?
I note that Victa NZ offer just
three 2-strokes amongst its
14 domestic rotaries.
Victa AUS offers just
three 2-strokes amongst
34 domestic rotaries.
I do not think the 2-stroke is exported to any other country now.
I wonder if the direct engine might be applied to the Victa engine to prolong its
commercial life?
Cheers.
----------------------------
JACK.
