Re: Since Packard had a V-12 in the 30's....

Posted by PackardV8 On 2009/7/23 15:17:08

In general, the V8 has some internal space restrictions relative to amount of stroke that be obtained vs cam clearence vs the additional bank of cylinders for the crank and rods to spin in. Among other restrictions.

Prior to the hp revolution of 1955 the public demand for sustained high speed operation was nearly nil. Styling such as hoods and pontoon fenders, narrow frames and so-forth did not lend well to large V8's due to width.

Engine rpm was limited to rather low rpm due to metalurgy and manufacturing cost constraints. So the inline engine could be tall for the prewar cars that were relatively tall cars but rather narrow hoods and frames.

The inline engine is LONG stroke and low compression (hence flat head) tall, long and narrow. While short stroke high compression OHV V8's are for wide,low and short cars.


Hp is a function of 2wo independent forces;
Pressure on the piston crown.
PISTON SPEED.

In the prewar era materials developement for strength was
somewhat obscure. So the engineers opted for lower compression and LONG STROKE for HP AT LOWER RPM!!!!.

Enter WWII and a phenominal amount of R&D discoveries came about in terms of materials and mfg techniques.

Essentialy, the V8 is a cheap way to build relative to a shorter, lower and marginaly wider car.

The inline 6 into the 1980's was just a carry over from many years of perfecting and mfg'ing tooling.

NOTE that hte MoPar slant six is slanted over for hood clearence. IIRC it is a relatively long stroke engine.