Ever hear of an aluminum block 18L / 1,100 CID Dual O/H cam flat plane crank Ford

[6R07mi]

yah, I was like, WHAT ?

500 HP @ 2,600 rpm and it was for a tank ! M4 Sherman running on 80 octane fuel

u_tube link

This is after old Henry refused to build the Merlin V-12 because most were going to go to Britian!
It was Edsel who behind Henry's back kept talking to the War Production Board that eventually negotiated the other defense contracts for the war; Willow Run plant - B24's & 56,870 Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Radial Aircraft Engines.

[pbf777]

    For further study see:

    https://www.theshermantank.com/wp-content/uploads/Ford-GAA-V8-Data-Sheet-beta13.pdf

    These engines (the GAA, GAF & GAN), though none of the engineering probably was truly new, nor had never been produced before, but was advanced over the engine examples it was originally intended to compete with (1650 R.R.) as a V12 aircraft engine. and for a true "production-type" engine (something just short of 30,000 units + spares were produced) not as a one-off racing engine example, were certainly of advanced engineering for the day, which wasn't picked up into American production vehicles until the later decade of the last century. 

    I always debate with myself, when someone states that the "Modular" engine program was Fords' first endeavor into the aluminum over-head cam field, whether I should thrust these examples into the conversation as a correction, but................    

    Scott.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

For further study see:

    https://www.theshermantank.com/wp-content/uploads/Ford-GAA-V8-Data-Sheet-beta13.pdf

Interesting cam drive. I wonder had they used that instead of chain if the SOHC would have run NCSCAR.

[JohnSlack]

For further study see:

    https://www.theshermantank.com/wp-content/uploads/Ford-GAA-V8-Data-Sheet-beta13.pdf

Interesting cam drive. I wonder had they used that instead of chain if the SOHC would have run NCSCAR.

Well the France family outlawed it so, No. But would it have been a better engine.... maybe, the bevel gear drive of the Rolls-Royce/Packard Merlin would have been even better.


John

[pbf777]

    The use of a bevel shaft drive system for overhead camshaft applications wasn't really new; for example take a look at this 1930's MG currently at auction:

        https://bringatrailer.com/listing/mg-n-type-magnette/

    In this example, though I acknowledge that with the shared use responsibilities that this involves less material usage and a resultant lighter weight, and of course a more compact packaging result, but I'm not so sure that the dynamo placement is really conveniently positioned for servicing?    

    B.T.W. John,

    The "bevel" shaft (as popularly termed, but more accurately more of a "worm-drive" here) gear train of the GAA has proven to be quite robust in quite abusive service applications. 

        https://www.flickr.com/photos/27666849@N04/6060962410

    Scott.