When we learned yesterday that Packard built the 1,200hp engines that powered WWII PT boats, it got us to thinking about tank engines from the same era. We remembered that Cadillac motors powered lots of tanks during the war. What we didn’t realize is that they worked in tandem, and they were flat heads.
There’s some great info in the comments section of the video we’ve linked to below. According to what is written, the engines measured out at 346ci and made a whopping 135 hp. What we learned after doing some research is that the engines were built differently for the tanks than they were for cars of the era. The tank engines feature blocks cast out of iron that had higher molybdenum content, used Durex pressed in bearings instead of babbitt style, had chrome plated rings and hardened intake valves and guides, and used a deeper sump oil pan and beefier oiling system. Also added was a triple belt accessory drive, and an oil cooler amongst some other exterior changes.
Listen to this one run. It sounds like a worker.
