Hi all, I've been a member for only a couple of weeks so I'll start with my introduction. I guess I can call my self part of the hotrod scene only in so much as I've always loved hotrods, the earliest pictures I can remember drawing were cars with flamejobs. I don't own a rod myself, a new family means it aint likely to happen anytime soon either, but I've been getting into swap meets and shows locally, I live near Australia's capital of rodding, Castlemaine, and get to see plenty of the local "talent". I've made cars for computer games take a look at my website if you're interested, there's a rod in there somewhere, though it wasn't really built to my taste, I'm more of a resto-traditionalist. I have a question: I haven't seen, or rather I haven't noticed any custom straight eights out there. Is there something intrinsically wrong with these units?
You havent looked that hard then, lot of people here with straight eights. Lot of the pacard guys here are running the 327 inline 8.
Lack of speed parts=lack of popularity, not to mention they were not a practical motor compared to the V8 and most manufacturers began to phase them out by the early 50's so there isn't a whole lot around.
As soon as I can get to see this car,I'll be posting some pix on here. A friend is building a 1948 Buick Sedanette custom with the original straight eight BUT he's converted it to EFI. He built his own manifold, and found the correct size injectors and computer and installed the sensors required. Then he put a split exhaust manifold and Smittys mufflers. I can't wait to hear it. he says it starts and runs just as good as a new car. I'll keep you all posted. Glenn.
I'm also getting a custom Buick Straight 8 together. Pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11929667@N00/sets/72157594574015906/ ~Scotch~
My 53 Pontiac has a straight 8, freshly rebuilt. Speed parts are virtually non-existent, even with my .040 over and high compression head, I only will make about 150 hp...and they are HEAVY.
I like my little 248ci. Buick STR8 its not so fast but runs and sounds nice. If I could get an overdrive it would be more fun.... Jdee PS: I'm try to teach myself lightwave gotta a long way to go yet fun stuff.
Welcome to the HAMB! May is Indy 500 month so here is a Studebaker 8 from the 1930's with four Winfield carbs.
Thanks for your replies folks. I guess I should have thought my question through before posting. My line of thinking is that the straight eight was found in some beautiful deco barges and race cars. Though I'd be very happy with an open wheel 33 coupe my dream rod would have a long bonnet and a few styling cues from Bugatti and Bentley a kind of euro/beater/tourer. I know very little about straight eight's, but the attraction of a 'different' power source for motivation is very "strong with this one". Jdee, That model is coming along great. 3D can't be beat for prototyping your real life build, I'm currently making my chopper in 3D. My advice to you (if you want it, of course!) when you're building cars is to rough out the overall shape of the bodywork in all profiles before cutting in and adding detail and try to keep the face size as consistent as possible on 'like' surfaces.
The Jalopy Journal
