Engine Porn

[sc_rufctr]

[rcooled]

[URY914]

[Racerbvd]

[Racerbvd]

[daepp]

Not sure if this has been covered before or not, but I just learned about it. I knew that 51 Tucker automobiles used a flat six helicopter engine. But what I didn’t know was that it was a “Plan B“ because they couldn’t get an engine of their own design ready in time.

Below are pics of the Tucker A-589: A low-stressed, 589 in.³, 150 hp/450 lb ft. of torque, aluminum engine with no cam shaft. It used hydraulic pressure to actuate its valves, and it’s said it was also going to get mechanical fuel injection as well.

On a dyno BITD:



One for sale at Mecum:










The most complete A-589 - mounted on their first prototype chassis at the Tucker museum in Hershey




Sadly, only 3 were produced. Too advanced for the time and for Tucker’s budget, but way advanced for 1947. For example, how long did it take did F1 move to “cam-less” engines?

“ Never one to misinterpret the word "big," Tucker asked his engineers to design a six-cylinder engine with a five-inch bore and a five-inch stroke. This "5 x 5" configuration came out to 589 cubic inches and Tucker wasn't content to just make it big. The engine had monobloc construction and hydraulically actuated valves. The monobloc setup was thought to be a good way to avoid head gasket failures but brought along a whole new world of technical issues when it came to working on the engine.”

“ But it was the hydraulic valves which really caused problems. Once the engine was running, things seemed to be alright. It was getting the beast started that gave Tucker's men headaches. When the engine was not running, all of the valves rested in the closed position. To get it started required a 24-volt starter – at a time when 6-volts was the norm. When it came time to unveil the '48 prototype, dubbed the 'Tin Goose,' to the public, Tucker's men had to shoehorn some truck batteries into the car so it could be fired up without having to be jumpstarted. It was the added weight of these batteries which most likely contributed to the suspension collapse moments before going on stage at the car's unveiling, a scene dramatically depicted in Tucker: the Man and His Dream.‘

[svandamme]

eeh, to my knowledge F1 still uses camshafts , its a rule.. no variable intake, exhaust or valve control is permitted.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by daepp

Not sure if this has been covered before or not, but I just learned about it. I knew that 51 Tucker automobiles used a flat six helicopter engine. But what I didn’t know was that it was a “Plan B“ because they couldn’t get an engine of their own design ready in time...

Tucker is a tragic story. It's a real shame things didn't work out.

His grandsons have a YouTube channel. "Preston Tucker's Speed Shop"

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfJrmvaDKiEzKB0LkzYCoIg/videos

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Tucker is a tragic story. It's a real shame things didn't work out.

His grandsons have a YouTube channel. "Preston Tucker's Speed Shop"

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfJrmvaDKiEzKB0LkzYCoIg/videos

Thanks for the link

[bkreigsr]

The unknown Tucker - being recreated by Ida Automotive with guidance from Preston's great grandsons, Mike and Sean.

[fastfredracing]

[GH85Carrera]

[Scott Douglas]

[JackDidley]

Reminds me of this.

[GH85Carrera]

Not great aerodynamics, but lots of "added lightness" in this. Not much for a safety systems.

[gumby]

Monticello Motor Club Carrera 6 with engine on stand

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Not great aerodynamics, but lots of "added lightness" in this. Not much for a safety systems.

That is cool and I don't see any brakes. I'm sure there is something, but nothing great.

[rcooled]

[Alan A]

Never get tired of looking at this. Although I guess it might qualify as midget porn given how it’s squeezed in there.

[URY914]