Yes, the 71 series 2cycle Detroits would run once in awhile. The trucks I drove had a runaway switch which you pulled. This would release a damper over the air intake thus starving the engine and it would shut down. Those engines would run backwards too. Loud, hi pitched and narrow torque range. Much prefer Cat or Cummins.
I think just about any older two cycle, gasoline or diesel, would run backwards. Including dirt bikes.
