Q re: DS Engine Rotation Direction

[sonoramicommando]

A bit of a n00b question:
Most of car engines turn clockwise looking at the front of the engine as far as I know, of some exceptions (hondas etc) - as for DS/ID and 15's, where is the "front" of the engine, given that gearbox is located in front of the engine - the clutch end or the bulkhead end?
cheers

[addo]

You crank them clockwise, so at the timing chain end they do rotate contrary to most engines.

[sonoramicommando]

fascinating!
so they used ccw engines from 15's til cx, correct?

[Mandrake]

I believe that while the CX engine is basically a DS engine (at least the push rod versions) it does in fact rotate in the opposite direction to the DS engine to accommodate the transverse gearbox layout...

[sonoramicommando]

^ doesnt that depends which side of the engine the gearbox sits? - i believe you but that doesnt necessarily dictate the rotation direction.