Originally Posted by enginenut
I have an extensive library to support my habit of the study of old machinery, especially automotive and engines.
In re-reading a June 1950 copy of "Motor Service Magazine" billed as the blue book for automotive service shop operators, I found an after the fact article on the 1950 Indianapolis race describing the cars Etc and their features.
This being in the day of the Offy and the open wheel cars, I was pleased to find some more unconventional power trying out for the field and thought stovebolters might find some pride in what was written.
Evry car in the field was offy powered but one which was a Supercharged cummins diesel that dropped out in lap 52 with a broken vibration dampener.
Let me quote on the Chevrolet entry: " Paul Cantarano of Los Angeles had a rebuilt and hopped up Chevrolet engine that would run like a scared rabbet despite it's failure to get into the race.Another job with a Mercury engine in it did qualify, but was bumped out of the line up by a faster car.The performance of the Ford built v8 engine in car No 82,owned by Bob Estes and qualified by Joe James at 124.176 surprised a lot of people.It was equipped with Ardun overhead valve heads--compresion ratio said to be aboout 15:1" Goes on to describe the heads.A picture of part of the Chevy engine shows a 6 port-crossflow head with downward angled intake runners carrying what looks like a Hilborn sprinkler system.The stovebolt turned in a speed of 121.065.
Top qualifying speed was 136.013.The race was flagged at 345 miles because of rain and the winner, Johnny Parsons had an average speed of 124.002 in a naturally aspirated Offy.
I'd like to see the detail that went into that Chevy engine.Stacked up well against the hemi-headed overhead valve Ford.
He probably had splash oiling and babbit rods too--don't you think???
What! No Allison Aircraft? lol

~Jim