Always loved the sound of a straight-8. I also get a certain sense of grandiose engineering from lining up eight cylinders, even in a flathead. Unfortunately I can't find one. Anyone using one? If so please post pictures or video.
Welcome and thanks for bringing up interesting engines. There's some threads on here about straight 8's. Try messing around with the search tool at top of page.
There are a lot of straight eights around and they are not very expensive because most people are just not interested in them. I like them, and I prefer flatheads, so I am using a Pontiac 268. Pontiac high compression head milled .040, Edmunds intake manifold with twin Stromberg 48s, stock exhaust manifold (which is a split manifold, stock) modified for twin outlets. '54 Pontiac trans, '52 Ford truck rear end with '46 p***enger car bells and hangers. Model A frame suicided in front and spring mounted in front of the axle instead of behind in back. I had the project completely mocked up on Monday, tore it all apart yesterday to start putting it together for good. Here are a few photos.
i just rebuilt my 53 pontiac 268 but haven't got it all together yet, too much snow. mine has the hi compression head also but i don't know if it was milled or not. will measure it later. greg in jax---how did you split your manifold? i look at mine and can't figure out how to do it because of the way the 268's stock exhaust runs. can you email me some pictures and details? gw65@gwtc.net i would really appreciate that. stanislao---where in south dakota are you? i am in pine ridge and i have heard of several straight 8's around the area but haven't seen much of any yet except mine.
had one in my buick, non flatty, 263 i think, couldn`t stand it, for me, started making some noise, so, replaced it with a sbc, tried to give it away, couldn`t get anyone to pick it up.....went to s****......and before anyone complains, it was listed here, and had very little interest, even at free....
A very slow reply to 31ACoupe's question about splitting the Pontiac 268 manifold. These photos show how I did it. Engine will be in the frame as soon as the boxing is finished and I will let you know how it runs. Sorry to take so long to reply, there has been a lot going on.
Funny thing about straight 8s and their demise, Chrysler advertised their straight 8s as the ultimate in proven technology, smoothness and power, then the very next year introduced the hemi OHV V8 as the ultimate in technology, smoothness and power so much better than the antiquated in-line and flathead engines of its compe***ors. I've seen many an inline 8 go to s****pers over the years as even restorer's don't care.
i have a st. 8 pontiac sittin in my shop floor. id love to put that thing in something.ive had it for 5 yrs and i cant find anything that i can afford to buy to put it in.(that was even worth buying). ive thought about buying a s10 frame just to mount it so i can hear it run.
check out Shawn M from the iron lords, he has a super dialed 53 buick straight 8 with a 2 pot and a split manifold. His engine is imacculate both inside and out
There is a Buick message board with lots of straight eight info. I can't remember the exact link, but I found it through hotrodder.com
The Jalopy Journal
