Unstoppable and all-knowing are the two words that I’d use to describe the throngs of people checking on our daily “Test Your Gearhead Knowledge” blog items. As usual, you guys got it. That weirdo looking connecting rod was from a legendary Napier Lion engine. The Lion was a huge airplane engine that was made from 1917-1930 and outside of airplanes, it was adapted for use in land speed racing cars and racing boats as well. The tuned up, ragged edge racing versions made 1350hp with the help of a centrifugal blower. The engines were very advanced for their time. They used an aluminum block, dual overhead cams for each of the three cylinder banks, and four valves per cylinder. Like all things, the Lion was on top of its game when it hit the market, but by the 1930s it was the weaker sister to many engine being produced around the world. Production petered out by 1934 or thereabouts.
Today’s challenge has far fewer cylinder and far less output than the mighty Napier Lion. The dudes at Valley Head Service in Northridge, CA sent us this photo for your identifying pleasure. A Napier Lion it is not…but an interesting little mill it is!
YOU KNOW THE DRILL — TELL US WHAT THIS ENGINE IS AND WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOUND IN!
Plymouth flathead 4 +/-1930
Model B ford?
Worthington
Continental?
A Willys or Kaiser Henry J
amc flathead inline four
1928 Redwing marine engine.