| Original Message |
Paul (no login)
Posted Apr 28, 2007 5:04 AM
Many people think the small block Chevy motor was the modern V8 that set the standard for the American automotive industry, but no, it was really a Lincoln motor. Ford produced a 1952 Y-block (where the sides of the block casting extend down below the centerline of the crankshaft, to add strength to the motor) of 317 cubic inch displacement, 7.5:1 compression and 160-hp at 3900 rpm. By 1957 this motor was 368 cubic inches, 10.1:1 compression and 300-hp. The early Lincolns swept the Pan American road race across Mexico and would pull 130-mph with 3.31 gearing!
In 1958 Ford brought out two new motor designs, the FE series from which the 427 eventually evolved, and the new 383 cubic inch MEL (Mercury Edsel Lincoln) which eventually grew to 430 cubic inches .
The big new Lincoln featured combustion chambers in the block. The block faces were milled off at an angle so there was a wedge shaped chamber between the roof top piston and the flat surface of the head. The design gave excellent combustion control, and breathing through the valves was improved because there was no chamber wall around the valve edge to shroud the opening.
According to Roger Huntington, S.A.E, in an article he published in 1962: "This is probablky the smoothest, quietest and most reliable engine in the industry today." No wonder Chris Craft, took note of this big bore V8 for their premium Continental and eventually in the twin engine Commander introduced in 1964.
The big Lincolns seem to have a bad rap from boaters these days, but it is only because of their age and the fact that many of them are now needing mechanical attention. However, there are many that are still in good running condition, and there are some on the vintage boat circuit that are just spectacular examples of what FoMoCo thought was the ideal world standard luxury car motor.
In 1959 Holman Moody of NASCAR racing fame, prepared a racing version of the Thunderbird. As a matter of fact, they built seven of these bombs, all with the big Lincoln motors. All seven showed up at Daytona for a 500 mile race, ran at speeds of 140-mph, and finished in a dead heat with an Oldsmobile, which took photo analysis to determine the latter car won. That proved the big Lincoln could run with the best machinery available, and it helped catapult Holman Moody to even higher accomplishments in subsequent years with the FE series engine developments.
The main problem with the big Lincoln was cost. It was also heavy. So we have a heavy expensive engine being adapted for marine use, and time has proven that these motors can last almost forever. In addition, there is SO MUCH IRON there, they can be rebuilt numerous times. Just look what Theo has done in his shop in Germany, and if he can do it over seas, then this same thing should be more easily done here in the US where there are lots of these engines still around and lots of parts.
Anyone out there still running one of these motors (as in the case of Dave Mehl with two of them) should have a pat on the back, because they're quite rare these days. Having a fresh pair in a Commander would be very cool, and if you don't think they perform well, then just take a peek at this! http://www.network54.com/Forum/424840/message/1173461961
Look at that cover photo, and then look at the speeds obtained with the lowly stressed 275-hp version. That kind of combo is pretty much in the indestructible range.
Regards, Paul |
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