58L-Y8 Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 (edited) Grimy suggested this tread on the Best-Looking Pre-War Sedans thread, so let's run with it! Edited May 23, 2023 by 58L-Y8 Changed to "“odd” to unique or different' (see edit history) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 I will participate if you change the word “odd” to unique or different.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Tatra air-cooled, rear-mounted V8. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 25 minutes ago, alsancle said: I will participate if you change the word “odd” to unique or different.. Touchy about semantics. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 29 minutes ago, alsancle said: I will participate if you change the word “odd” to unique or different.. If we use "unique" we are referring to One of One. If we say "different," different from WHAT? Let's see what shows up, then we can change the adjective as appropriate 🙂 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryankazmer Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Just now, George K said: Touchy about semantics. Well, actually if there is more than one it's not "unique," and there is no such thing as "fairly unique." But usually we're happy if we don't see break/brake and axle/axel misused. So in the spirit of the thing, Adams-Farwell Rotary. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Here’s a freak engine that was a complete failure. But I like it. Leon Duray Indy junk formula car. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Too many different ones to name because of their unique and sometimes interesting attributes. I like them either for a.) design, or b.) engineering/function, or a combination of both. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 How about a V-8 engine whose valves are in the block like any flathead except the valves are over the pistons. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Is that the Oakland V8? This should be an interesting and very long thread? However it seems to have wandered further afield than the original suggestion which was connected to a large horseless carriage with a two-cycle engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 How about the three cylinder "compound" engine designed by D. Fox Graham in 1903? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 I had to use google to make sure I got the name and year close to right. However, I otherwise pulled that one out of memory! What about offset crankshafts that were tried by several people in the 1910s expecting to improve the leverage advantage over crankshafts in line with the cylinders? I expect to see fifteen pages of unusual efforts within two weeks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted May 23, 2023 Author Share Posted May 23, 2023 Two of the pioneering monobloc V8 engines: 1929-'30 Viking and 1930-'31 Oakland plus 1932 Pontiac. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 1907 Christie Race Car V4 engine https://oldmachinepress.com/2014/12/06/christie-v-4-engine-1907-racer/ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Miller DOHC V16 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Lancia V8 which looks more like a square 8 or a straight 4 with double plugs. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Julian Radial Engine 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordy Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 I seem to recall that Chamberlain (tractor company) here in Australia tried an engine that did away with the head and essentially used two blocks and the combustion occurred between two pistons. Have to dig in the archives to find out more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted May 23, 2023 Author Share Posted May 23, 2023 (edited) Does anyone do quirky as well as the French do? Panhard Dyna Z/PL 17 Edited May 23, 2023 by 58L-Y8 addendum comments (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 (edited) Strange and obscure…… when I bought my 16 Valve 4 White, I had to edit the Wikipedia page for T head engines. It’s the only monoblock T head engine ever made. With four valves per cylinder on a 7 1/2 degree angle and detachable cylinder head are also other things that make it unique. The strange configuration allows a 5.85 to one compression ratio. Edited May 23, 2023 by edinmass (see edit history) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Wetherbee Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 I have a friend who has his daughters Mazda RX-7 with the Wankel rotary engine that’s always been a bit interesting in me opinion. His daughter bought the car new but passed away young due to a genetic condition. Not only does the car hit a high school era “cool factor”, but add in the unusual driveline and it’s something that just catches the attention… 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 Miller horizontal eight marine. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 Keep them coming........ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, wayne sheldon said: Is that the Oakland V8? This should be an interesting and very long thread? However it seems to have wandered further afield than the original suggestion which was connected to a large horseless carriage with a two-cycle engine. Yes, it's the Oakland/Pontiac V-8. Here is the Chrysler Hemi V-8 notice the lifter gallery, single plane for all liters and pushrods. Below is the engine BUICK was going to make but didn't. notice the lifter gallery, dual plane for intakes and exhaust Notice where the intake valves are sitting. Exactly where the intakes are on the Buick Nail head are. The Buick Nail head brings all the valves together on the top to save production cost. Below is the production Buick, Edited May 24, 2023 by Pfeil (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 2 hours ago, Mark Wetherbee said: I have a friend who has his daughters Mazda RX-7 with the Wankel rotary engine that’s always been a bit interesting in me opinion. His daughter bought the car new but passed away young due to a genetic condition. Not only does the car hit a high school era “cool factor”, but add in the unusual driveline and it’s something that just catches the attention… Back in high school, I was friends with a guy that built some great RX-7s with the 13b rotary engine. They would spin to the moon and the only way to keep them from running lean was to mount at least a 650cfm carb on them. Tons of power for that small car. He could spin the tires in 4th gear just by mashing the gas pedal. Insanely fun cars that handled great as well. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 Rickenbacker made some nice engines for their cars. All engines were done in house, no outside engines were used like a Continental. Dual crankshaft balancers for a smooth running engine. After Rickenbacker Motors folded in 1927, their tooling was sold to Renault and they continued to build engines using that design for quite some time. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/too-much-too-soon-1925-rickenbacker-vertical-eight-superfine 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) Since I have one in my car......the Northway 209 V8 (1916-1922) used by Oldsmobile. Split vertically down the case center. Crank and cam main caps (all two of them) bolt horizontally into one case half Flat plane crank has external lines to pump oil from main journals to rod throws Fork and blade rod construction Very compact cylinder spacing Edited May 24, 2023 by Stude Light (see edit history) 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E. Guitar Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 The Lightburn Zeta, built by a washing machine company and sounds like chainsaw when running. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeta_(automobile) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 Gobron Brille 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E. Guitar Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) Sizaire et Naudin, 1.5 litre single cylinder with engine speed controlled by varying the lift using a barrel cam on the inlet valve (amongst other things). Edited May 26, 2023 by John E. Guitar (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) Neat stuff………some of the early commercial engines are also very interesting. Anyone have photos of a Knox porcupine? Edited May 24, 2023 by edinmass (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) I like early engines with moving external parts. I find opening the hood and letting such an auto idle at a car show is a real crowd pleaser. Imagine folks having to get out and oil the valves every 50 to 100 miles today. Edited May 24, 2023 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) Also, Check out this Guy Rotary Valve engine. Has anyone seen a Hackett? Edited May 24, 2023 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 47 minutes ago, edinmass said: Neat stuff………some of the early commercial engines are also very interesting. Anyone have photos of a Knox porcupine? 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 Notice the off the shelf angle iron frame...........early cars had lots of parts of the hardware store shelf........... 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) 13 hours ago, wayne sheldon said: How about the three cylinder "compound" engine designed by D. Fox Graham in 1903? Yes, named the Eisenhuth Compound engine originally wasn't it? Edit: my mistake. It was the Eisenhuth Horseless Vehicle and later joined forces with Graham USA - Eisenhuth Compound Eagle (1896-1909) (motor-car.net) You might also appreciate this. Still trying to locate good quality photos of that engine in the Compound Car. Off topic: I believe the Berkshire Automobile in the background is out of Berkshire Mass. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Edited May 24, 2023 by 30DodgePanel (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) Here's one that I believe qualifies as different View of an engineer testing control valve for water mains at Rolls-Royce Engine Test factory. The factory produced Packard Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engines. Label on back: "Deep under the foundations of the Rolls-Royce Engine Test factory, an engineer tries out a control valve handling the water mains that feed the cooling units on the testing engines. Water sufficient to handle the needs of a city of 50,000 population is required to cool each day's quota of engines as they come from main assembly to the dynamometer test blocks." Albeit not automobile related, the Merlin was also a thing of beauty Edited May 24, 2023 by 30DodgePanel (see edit history) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 27 minutes ago, edinmass said: Notice the off the shelf angle iron frame...........early cars had lots of parts of the hardware store shelf........... The off the shelf reference is out of focus. Carnegie first had to built steel mills and perfect the material and process so people could build the hardware and have access to structural steel shapes. Purchasing good clean steel was not like today. The ease of modern conveniences are built on the backs of hard working Americans. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 51 minutes ago, 30DodgePanel said: I remember reading the reminiscing of an author who witnessed the Knox Waterless in use. His description was it ran hotter than the hinges to hell. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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