The Cadillac V-16, the first V16 powered car to reach production status in the United States, was Cadillac's top-of-the-line car from its January 1930 launch until production ceased in 1940. Only 4076 cars were constructed in the eleven years the model was offered. All were finished to custom order. The majority of these were built in the single year of 1930.
In 1926, Cadillac began the development of the all new V-16 engine. There were two different V-16 engines developed by Cadillac in this time period:
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| The Series 452 OHV V-16 |
The Series 452, from 1930 until 1937, had a 3 in bore and a 4 in stroke, a displacement of 452 CID, a narrow 45° V angle, overhead valves, 185 horsepower and 320 pounds/feet of torque. There is a three-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel vacuum assisted mechanical brakes. The original Cadillac V16 could be said to be two straight-8 engines on a common crankshaft and crankcase, because each bank operated entirely independently of the other with no other shared components. The engine was well engineered, with a counterweighted crankshaft, overhead valves, and hydraulic tappets. It also had two carburetors. It was capable of powering the heavier models to speeds in excess of 80 mph, and 100 mph for some of the lighter examples.
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| 1931 Cadillac V-16 |
1930–1934 Series 452 ("A" - "C")
1935 Series 60
1936–1937 Series 90
The Series 90, from 1938 to 1940, the second generation of V16 engine, had 'square' proportions; bore and stroke were both 3 1⁄4 in , an overall displacement of 431 CID, a lower, wider 135° V angle, L-head (flat head), two carburetors. Cadillac rated these engines at the same 185 bhp as the previous series.
Found on these models;
1938-1940 Series 90.
Nine main bearings provided a crankshaft main bearing support between each 135 degree opposing pair of cylinders. The square bore and stroke lowered piston speed and promoted crankshaft rigidity, no small matter for an engine with eight cylinders in line per cylinder bank. The side valve engine design was no handicap because the typical top engine speed of 3400-3700 rpm provided little opportunity to exploit the high speed breathing efficiency of overhead valves. Hydraulic valve lifters promoted silent running and an absence of periodic adjustment. Unlike most cars of the era, an external oil filter safeguarded the precision valve lifters. Despite the use of side valves, the engine produced as much power as the prior 45 degree V-16, and with much less complexity.
Cadillac also built a V-12 engine based on the Series 452 engine for 1930 through 1937. It retained the 45° vee-angle and displaced 368 cubic inches from a 3.125 in bore and 4 in stroke. Output was rated at 135 hp with two carburetors.
Found on these models;
1930–1935 Series 370 ("A" - "D")
1936–1937 Series 80/85
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| 1931 Cadillac V-16 |
The Cadillac V-16 is today recognized as one of the finest automobiles of the prewar era. 1930 production models can be valued at more than $500,000. Convertibles are the most valued, and the earlier cars are more valued than the 1938-40 vehicles. A good condition 1938 sedan can sell for under $80,000.
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| 1929 Packard 645 |
In the 1920s, Packard powered its lower-priced cars with an in-line six-cylinder engine. The engine displaced 241.4 cubic inches with a 3.37-inch bore and 4.5-inch stroke, double overhead camshafts and generated about 110 horsepower. The six disappeared by the late 1920s but returned in 1937 for the new Packard Six with a 237-cubic-inch engine wielding about 100 horsepower.
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| 1934 Packard 1107 Phaeton V-12 |
The Twin Six V-12 Packard engine in the 1930s Packard Twelve luxury cars was the automaker's most powerful engine through the 1930s. The V-12 displaced 445 cubic inches . Its bore measured 3.44 inches and the stroke was 4 inches. The engine featured a double overhead camshaft and overhead valves. It possessed a 6.00:1 compression ratio to generate 180 horsepower. The whisper-quiet engine was placed in a refined chassis and given some of the most elegant bodies of its era.
A base Packard came with only a 321 cubic-inch, 145 HP straight 8. When you bought the 12 cylinder you received an enormous 445.5 cid engine that made its maximum power at a low 3200 rpm, a lower rpm than any of its competitors that needed V-16 engines in some cases to even compete. The transmissions were a 3 speed syncro manual floor shifted and had quite smooth gear changes.
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| 1934 Packard 1107 Phaeton V-12 |
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| 1931Packard 840 |
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| Pierce Arrow |
The Pierce Arrow V–12 engine displaced 462 cubic inches, made 175 horsepower, as opposed to 125-150 horsepower for the Pierce Arrow straight-eight.
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| The Pierce Arrow V–12 |
The 385-cid straight-eight developed 150 horses, compared to 175 for the pricier Pierce Twelve, but 15 more than the Cadillac V-8.
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| 1930 Pierce Arrow Straight Eight |
Under the new, longer hood was Pierce-Arrow's new straight-eight engine. Unlike the 1928 Series 81 cars that had a cast steel block bolted to an aluminum crankcase, the new nine main bearing eight was cast with a single crankcase and cylinder block assembly. The engine used an L-Head arrangement for the valves, and Stromberg UU-2 carburetor. The bore and stroke were 3 1/2" by 4 3/4", adding up to 366 cubic inches. With a 5:1 compression ratio and engine speed of 3200 rpm, the new straight eight developed 125 hp. Pierce-Arrow advertising claimed a top speed of 85 mph. The new straight-eight was continued, with modifications, through 1938. In 1933, the engine was changed to use hydraulic valve lifters, a Pierce-Arrow innovation, and also to use a down draft carburetor.
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| 1936 Pierce-Arrow 1602 Club Sedan |
1947 Lincoln Continental
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| 1947 Lincoln Continental, V-12 |
Bore/stroke 2.87 in/3.75 in
Cylinders V-12 in 75.0° vee
Displacement 292. cu in
Lubrication Wet sump
Compression ratio 7.20:1
Maximum power 125 bhp @ 4000 rpm
Maximum torque 220 ft·lb @ 2000 rpm
3 speed manual
The Stutz Speedway Six engine has a 3 1/2" bore, 5 inch stoke, 288.6 cu in, 80 brake HP @ 3000 RPM,
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| 1929 Stutz Speedway Six Model 695 |
The 1925 Stutz Model 695 was powered by a 289 cubic-inch overhead cam six-cylinder engine that was fitted with a Rayfield carburetor and produced 80 horsepower. They had a three-speed manual gearbox and featured four-wheel hydraulic brakes. It is believed that only 748 examples of the Speedway Six 695 series were produced.
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| 1925 Stutz Model 694 |
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| 1917 Buick D 34 |
1917 Buick Engine
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| 1917 Buick Engine |
Type Valve-in-head, exposed valves
Displacement 170 cu. in.
Cylinders 4
Bore & Stroke 3 3/8 & 4 3/4 inches Rated Horsepower 18.2
Main Bearings 4
1914 Cadillac
Vertical, in-line, L-head. Four cylinder. Individual cast iron cylinders, copper water jacket, Bore & Stroke; 4-1/2 x 5-3/4 in, Displacement; 365.8 cu. in,
Brake Horsepower; 40-50 H.P.: 32.4, Main bearings; Five, Valve lifters; Mechanical - push rod - roller cam followers, Carburetor; float feed; Made by Cadillac to C. F. Johnson patents
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| 1914 Cadillac L head 4 |
