Fw: Now, why do engines all turn in the same direction?

[Rave Racer]

    Ok, I got this from my other list subscription and thought maybe this
list would be a little more enlightened.  I know there are 4k's in South
Africa and other Southern Hemispherical Countries.  After laughing
hysterically at the response to the original question, I thought I'd ask
around to see if there was a better reason.

       Rave Racer
'89 Jetta 1.8L 16V GTX
 http://www.vwot.org/members/Pete.html
'87 Audi 4000 Quattro Sedan
 http://www.audifans.com/registry/view.php?action=viewCar&carid=110
'72 Triumph GT6
 http://motorcities.com/contents/01I3H011116682.html
'83 Toyota Tercel (yoda)     Possible future Sandrail donor...  Maybe





This was asked...Now, why do engines all turn in the same direction?

They don't. Only those in the northern hemisphere do. For reasons
similar to those that cause vortices to rotate in opposite directions in the
northern and southern hemispheres, engineers found that opposite rotational
direction was more efficient in the southern hemisphere.(Partially
attributable to the rotational vortices induced in the induction
mechanisms). Consequently, vehicles intended for southern hemispheric
combustion require different camshafts, distributor timing gears (and marks)
flipping the rear axle etc..Contra-rotation also explained the rarity of
automatic transmissions in the southern hemisphere as auto boxes are
dependent upon fluid pressure to operate clutches and shifts and would
hence, require a compete re-engineering to function.

One negative result of the export of non southern-optimized, contra-rotating
cars to the southern hemisphere is realized in the early decay of the
exhaust system. The induced drag in the non optimized induction system
results in an excess of unburned hydrocarbons (raw fuel) running through the
exhaust system with the expected result. Anyone who has visited the south is
well aware of the increased auto-sourced atmospheric pollution and the
accompanying din of un-muffled exhaust there.