RODS AND ENDS
First Published March 7, 2004
Engine Hype & Engine Reality
Cadillac Ken writes a small sidebar column entitled RODS & ENDS that has been picked up and printed in various CRUISE NEWS issues throughout the years. Typically He writes short informational bits on the state of the automotive word with his own slant on the subject. Sometimes biting, always entertaining. Below is one of those columns.
OK so we all know that Chrysler’s Hemi engines are legend and Ford flathead V8s are a close second (or the other way around depending on where your alliances are). But as in all legends there’s a fuzzy line where the truth ends and the legend begins. We’re all aware of the power and glory the Chrysler Hemi engines showed in racing throughout the sixties. And of course, they still light up drag strips around the world today. But let’s be honest, even Honda can build an F1 motor with that kind of horsepower on an F1 budget.
Most of us can’t afford the Hemis we idolize. Even if we could, would it be the beast of a motor we all fantasize it was? Could a nicely done 440 or 413 pull as much HP as a 426 Hemi? Sure. My records show that a stock 1969 440c.i. engine puts out 390 HP and a stock 1962 413 c.i. wedge puts out a respectable 415 HP. Not too shabby when compared to the a stock 426 Hemi cranking out 425 HP. Now I know a new Hemi block is probably easier to round up than either one of those old wedge motors, but the point is made. The Hemi does not totally outman its brothers in brute strength. The truth is the hemi is a nice design. It’s got great flow and an even burn. But it is dated. Today’s technology with variable timing, multiple valves and other tricks, have put a hemispherical head design way down on the list. But that doesn’t keep the PR boys at Chrysler form marketing their new Hemi of 5.7 liters (348 c.i.) to guys willing to plunk down their money on a new Durango and then bragging to their buddies about it around the BBQ grill. And what about the old venerable flathead Ford V8? Ford introduced the flathead V8 in 1932. But flathead technology had already been around for quite some time. Even Ford had been using the old “valves in the block” idea to build their inline four cylinders for years. It certainly wasn’t the first V8 and many of the luxury car companies had been building bigger more powerful V12’s and V16’s. But when Ford built their first V8 (65 HP) it was for the masses. Installed into a small, lightweight 1932 coupe it was all the rage outrunning most of the pedestrian flat sixes of the time. But not by much. Ford’s own 1932 model in line four banger produced only 15 HP less and was only, get this, one half of a cubic inch smaller (200.5) than its “big” brother the V8 (201 c.i.). The design carried on for years but as the Fords got bigger and heavier the old 65 HP flathead V8 couldn’t keep up. A 1950 Ford was a much heavier car than it’s ancestors (3007 lbs. to be exact). Yet the 1950 flathead V8 in the engine bay still only produced 100 HP. Yes, that’s it, 100 HP. Now I know a stripped down fender less 1932 coupe is much lighter, but we’re talking 100 HP here, maybe 150 HP with modifications? I’ve been told that you can get about 260 HP out of a flathead for about $23,000 worth of modifications. That’s nice to know. But wouldn’t a 350 c.i. LT1 or LS1 Chevy be a more powerful, less expensive, easily modified choice? Hype or HP- what do you want to believe?
