1911-1915 Vertical-6 Engine

his in-line 6-cylinder engine was the first Wright-manufactured motor to cool the entire cylinder and head. Weighing about 300 lb., it had 406 cubic-inch displacement and produced about 50 hp. in the 1911-version. It retained the characteristic compression release and foot pedal adjusted timing for the high-tension magneto from previous Wright engine designs.

The Wrights improved the motor in 1912 with cam-operated intake valves that produced 60 hp and earned the motor the nickname "6-60." Options included a muffler and dual ignition.

In 1913, the motor was equipped with dual Zenith carburetors, marking the first time a Wright motor had a throttle. Further improvements gradually increased the horsepower to 70, and finally 80 hp. The 6-70 had rubber shock absorbers to transmit power smoothly to the chain sprocket.

References:

McFarland, Marvin W. (ed), "The papers of Wilbur and Orville Wright." McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1953, p 1215-1216, plate 230.
Hobbs, Leonard S., "The Wright Brothers' Engines and Their design." Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1971, pp 48-56.
Lippincott, Harvey H., "Propulsion System of the Wright Brothers." In Wolko, Howard S. (editor), "The Wright Flyer, an Engineering Perspective." The Smithsonian Institution Press, 1987, pp 89-91.

[Submitted by Joe W. McDaniel]

Early Wright 6-cylinder engines were more or less extended versions of the 4-cylinder engines.

Later, the Wright Company made significant design improvements that increased the horsepower, reliability, and ease of operation.

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