Forgotten Motors

Here's a linky for those of you who don't read Jalopnik too much. What else belongs on this list?

I think they forgot the Knight Sleeve Valve engine...

Will this swap into my WRX?

In reply to SilverFleet:

Sure, with a welder anything can be made to work. Just stretch the front out first and there you go. Will require a turbo upgrade though. Better off to just give me your WRX and build a new car around that thing.

There is a popular mechanics article referenced in one of the replies about a chevy rotary engine, its amazing how optimistic the article sounds about it coming into production in a year or two.

Needs more motors.

Pontiac OHC six.

Jeep Tornado

Toyota 3M, 2T-G and 18R-G

Ford SOHC "Cammer"

Packard V-12 (USA's first production V-12)

Lincoln V-12

Cadillac V-16

Deusenberg straight 8

Buick straight 8

There's plenty that are a lot more interesting than a VW V5

I don't think the 20B is all that forgotten, if your a rotary enthusiast you want one.

Then again I've seen quite a few of them. So idk. I'm sure there are plenty of motors that should be there though.

Any one have more info on the chevy rotary? Always heard about it but I'd like to read it for myself.

~Alex

DOHC 426 Hemi.

Maserati TC's 2.2 16-valve DOHC turbo

Off topic - someday I'm going to build a retro parts hauler from a '50's or '60's pickup (or possibly a single-cab VW type II) complete with mock dealer lettering on the doors. "Forgotten Motors"may be just the name I've been looking for.

Nitroracer wrote: There is a popular mechanics article referenced in one of the replies about a chevy rotary engine, its amazing how optimistic the article sounds about it coming into production in a year or two.

For those who weren't alive back in the late 60's/early 70's or who aren't rotary engine enthusiasts--the rotary engine was the "engine of the future" and all major carmakers had a significant investment in R & D. There were cars developed exclusively for the rotary, among them the AMC Pacer and Chevrolet Vega. When the gasoline embargo hit in 1973, the decision was hastily made to scrap rotary development based on fuel consumption and emissions criteria. Some of these vehicles were literally months away from full-scale production at the time.

Disclaimer: I'm old, and some of the facts above may not be accurate, but the general gist of the statements has at least a shred of truth to it.

The Vega wasn't designed around the rotary, but the Monza supposedly was going to be the third gen Camaro - with a rotary. GM's rotary wouldn't meet either emissions regulations or do very well at fuel consumption, and I believe it had some durability problems too.

There were some really crazy rotary projects in the '70s. I'm not sure if the craziest rotary project award should have gone to John Deere's heavy duty Wankel tractor, or GM's effort to build a rotary Corvette and get around complaints that a rotary wouldn't have enough torque by enlarging it to 5.7 liters.

I was going to say the Falconer V12 (custom V12 based on the SBC) but apparently it's still being made. It was originally meant to be a "special edition" engine for OEMs (V12 Corvette, etc) but that didn't work so then they focused towards the automotive racing and street rod crowd, but now appears to be more aviation/marine focused. I know the company went under in the late 90's, I guess it got resurrected.

Falconer V12

600CI, ~800HP, 700lbs with trans, $65,000

Bob

perhaps the SBC-based SCAT V4s that ran around Baja in the MDR 7200 trucks a while ago? apart from being a shakey little critter, it seemed to do quite well. also, perhaps the Yamaha OX10A Formula 1 engine?

Was it Mazda that made a 1.6 or a 1.8 V6? I always wanted to get a look see at one of those.

How about the Honda 1 L Formula 3 motors from 1968. Twin cam, roller bearing crank, direct drive distributor and waterpump. They dominated F3 and then were banned.

dean1484 wrote: Was it Mazda that made a 1.6 or a 1.8 V6? I always wanted to get a look see at one of those.

They had a 1.8L V6 that was an optional motor in the MX3, is that what you're thinking of?

Schmidlap wrote: I was going to say the Falconer V12 (custom V12 based on the SBC) but apparently it's still being made. It was originally meant to be a "special edition" engine for OEMs (V12 Corvette, etc) but that didn't work so then they focused towards the automotive racing and street rod crowd, but now appears to be more aviation/marine focused. I know the company went under in the late 90's, I guess it got resurrected. Falconer V12 600CI, ~800HP, 700lbs with trans, $65,000 Bob These are used in scaled down P-51 Mustang kits. They are quite fast. http://www.thundermustang.com/

What about the Volkswagen "W8" engine? Does VW only get one entry in the race?

thatsnowinnebago wrote: Here's a linky for those of you who don't read Jalopnik too much. What else belongs on this list?

They didn't use it, but I recommended the datsun/nissan L24. Seems like people are ripping them out to use L28s

Yeah, some of their lists recently have been kind of... odd. I figured this list would be forgotten motors that are actually pretty awesome and shouldn't be forgotten about, not forgotten motors that might be quirky, but were relegated to history for a good reason.

For instance, the 13B-REW. How many get tossed in favor of LS1s? How long before we start seing LSRX-8s?

Subaru Coloni C3B.

And on the GM rotary, I still recall buying MPC's plastic kit of the 1973 or 74 Vega..and it had the rotary as the optional engine in it.

http://wapedia.mobi/en/File:%2774_GM_Rotary_engine.jpg

Mercedes four rotor wankel designed for the c111 is pretty much forgotten, never made it to the street.

How about the original Chevy V8 from the Nineteen-teens. I think it was a one or two year motor, then no more V8s from them until the 50's.

GMC had a big (305cid?) V-6 in the 50s-60s, and two put together for a V-12 heavy truck engine. Can't imagine the gallons per mile that thing must have gotten Would be cool for some sort of project though.