Crank

[Pete]

Interesting to note, GM has gone back to a model A type crank (180 degree) in their new Corvette engine. It took a lot of engineering to make it work but it really does.

Another interesting note, the new engine makes 670 hp naturally aspirated.

The Ford 427 7000 series side oiler engine of the 1960's made 646 hp. It was also a naturally aspirated factory production engine.

Not much gain for the millions of dollars invested.

For the complete story on the new engine, see the current issue of Engine Professional.

Lots of keen info that can be used to increase the gas mileage of a model A.

[38 coupe]

Thank you for the reference, interesting read: https://www.engineprofessional.com/2024EPQ2/index.html


I expect the latest GM engine has much better manners when driving around town, gets better fuel mileage, and go much longer between overhauls than Ford's 1960s hero motor, but I appreciate the point. The millions invested have been spent to include the qualities that race engines don't need.

[sidevalve8ba]

Didn't someone make a 180 degree crank for our flatheads? Seems like I remember seeing one in a catalog once, maybe Flathead Jack?

[glennpm]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

Thank you for the reference, interesting read: https://www.engineprofessional.com/2024EPQ2/index.html

Very interesting article.

[Bored&Stroked]

There have been a few manufacturers of 180-degree cranks in flatheads - most notably the Norden folks from back in the day.

Obviously, you needed a special 180-degree cam to go with it. I've never heard one run, but old-timers said they had a really unique sound and typically shook the Hell out of the driver.

I've heard that the vibrations were really hard on the engine, so in the end I wouldn't consider it a successful venture (for Norden).

[Pete]

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Originally Posted by 38 coupe

Thank you for the reference, interesting read: https://www.engineprofessional.com/2024EPQ2/index.html


I expect the latest GM engine has much better manners when driving around town, gets better fuel mileage, and go much longer between overhauls than Ford's 1960s hero motor, but I appreciate the point. The millions invested have been spent to include the qualities that race engines don't need.

I haven't seen or driven one of the new Corvette's but I did drive a couple of the Galaxy 500's with the 427 engine and they were quite docile for a street legal race car. As I recall one got around 15 miles per gallon as long as you did not open the secondaries. The one I drove 1500 miles had 14 inch cheater slicks and It REALLY mashed you back in the seat.

[Tony, NY]

If it's of any interest, Ford put a flat crank engine in the mustang gt350.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...5-2-liter-v-8/

[Pete]

It is interesting to note that someone seems to be trying to lead us to believe most of these new engine developments are recent history.
It is also keen to note that they have only touched the tip of the iceberg as far as what seems like exotic stuff but has been around since the 30's.

[Tim Ayers]

Part of that money is also to get the engine to pass emission standards and get somewhat decent gas milage.

I did not read the article mentioned here yet, but I read a few others on the new Corvette motor. I hope I'm recalling it right, but part of their challenge was to retain as much of small block heritage in the LS platform in order to keep some of the Corvette history alive.

I don't have one or have I driven one, but I love the new Corvettes.

[Bored&Stroked]

Yeah, one has to give GM a lot of credit for building a mid-engine production car that is really on the level of some of the super-cars . . . for 1/5 of the price. I've not been in one, but if I had a big huge pile of money fall in my lap, would love to own one!

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

Yeah, one has to give GM a lot of credit for building a mid-engine production car that is really on the level of some of the super-cars . . . for 1/5 of the price. I've not been in one, but if I had a big huge pile of money fall in my lap, would love to own one!

Agreed. I just read about the ERay. It's the hybrid, still mid-engine gas powered, but has a 100hp electric motor to drive the front wheels. Knocks off 0.2ths of the Z06 0-60 time to 2.5 secs. Not bad for a "base" price of $104,900 for the ERay coupe.

This concept is what a number of the high-end, exotic super cars use.

[Ol' Ron]

The 180 deg crank for the flathead was made from a model M tractor crank forging. I think?? Back in the day oneof the shops in Bridgeport ct (Bill Braths) mad one there. Not sure if it ever ran, but it sure looked great!!

[5851a]

https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/...pontiac-eight/

[1952henry]

Hall-Scott engines; cross flow heads, overhead cam, hemispheric combustion chambers. All from the 30s.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by 1952henry

Hall-Scott engines; cross flow heads, overhead cam, hemispheric combustion chambers. All from the 30s.

Don't forget they had 4 valves also.

[38 coupe]

Dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder are over a century old, first appearing on a race engine in 1912. Engine control technology (carburetor/fuel injection and ignition) and engine longevity (oiling, cooling, bearings, etc.) has been playing catch up to air flow for a century.