gmc had a v12 which looked like 2 v6's end to end cast into 1 block

 

There's been a few drag racers that have done this, Flathead Jack and TV Tommy Ivo come to mind. Ivo is probably the most famous, one of his cars is still doing exhibition runs. Try a google on him.

Dan

 

Tractor pullers have also done end-to-end V8's.

 

Most of them use a roller chain shaft coupler which consists of two chain sprockets back to back and a piece of double row roller chain to link the two together..Has to be custom made and will stretch your machine shop capabilities a bit..on side fits the crank end of one engine and the other fits the snout end of the other engine..

Sam

 

A V16, not V12, but interesting non the less:

Callaway Introduces 80-valve V16 Engine

Birmingham, U.K., January 13, 2005: Callaway Engineering and Cyclone Power Ltd. debut their cooperative project, the Callaway Cyclone 16-cylinder engine, at the Autosport Racecar Engineering Show (stand 10457 in the general motorsport section).

The unique engine is 4.0-liter normally aspirated V16 that features 5 valves per cylinder and makes over 550 bhp at 10,000 rpm and measures less than 36 inches long.

Says Reeves Callaway, Founder of Callaway Engineering, "A revolutionary Callaway project that is still under wraps requires a powerplant that packages 'in-line,' is visually interesting, and has an exciting and distinctive noise signature. A 'miniature' V16 at 10,000 rpm certainly has all of those features in spades."

Cyclone Power Ltd. Principal Mark Pemble says: "Our Cyclone V8s are potent and beautiful pieces of engineering. Putting two of them together is a logical configuration and a striking showcase for our company. Reeves Callaway's idea for this V16 is a complement to the partnership between Cyclone Power Ltd and Callaway Engineering, which has been formed to distribute the Cyclone V8 in North America. The V16 project will be the capstone for our normal business of selling V8 engines to the track-day racers."

Development:
The Callaway Cyclone V16 ran first in anger in November 2004. The development and testing has been carried out to a conservative and controlled step-by-step program that has, remarkably, been uninterrupted by even small failures. Since the V16 is comprised of two Cyclone V8s mechanically joined, and the individual V8s have hundreds of hours of run-time both on the dynamometer and in test vehicles, there was no reason to expect unreliability from this new configuration. We will complete testing after the Autosport debut at the Cyclone Power facility in Poole, Dorset, U.K.

Cost:
The Callaway Cyclone V16 is a development project at this stage. Prices may be had on application. It is unknown if there will be a commercial version. Clients for this and other engine configurations should contact Callaway/Cyclone.

Go to www.callawaycars.com/V16 to download
" Photos
" Video files
" Sound files

Callaway Engineering provides contract engineering and manufacturing services for automotive OEM's, with focus on high-performance vehicles, systems and components. Facilities are located in Old Lyme, Connecticut; Irvine, California; and Leingarten, Germany.

Cyclone Power Ltd. is an engine development company that specializes in 'motorcycle derived' V8 engines. Their 2.0-liter Cyclone Power V8 is the basis of the Callaway V16 configuration.

For further information on the Cyclone V8, please go to www.cyclonepowerltd.co.uk

Technical Specifications

Callaway Cyclone V16
4.0-liter 16 cylinder 90° V angle
5 valve / cylinder DOHC
bore 75.5 (3.0 in.) x stroke 55.75 mm (2.19 in) = 3994 cc (243.83 cu. in.)
aluminium block and heads, iron liners
12 (2 x 6) main bearings, plain
crankshafts: en40b steel, 2x, 4 journal, flat plane, nitrided
connecting rod, steel, plain bearing
compression ratio 11.5-1 naturally aspirated
power 550 bhp@10,000 rpm
torque 340 ft/lb@ 8,500 rpm
max rpm: 10,500
dry sump lubrication, 1 pressure, 3 scavenge stages
super unleaded fuel
EFI single fuel injector / single throttle / cylinder

Dimensions:
926 length (36.45")
540 width (21.25")
500 height (19.7") - to top of injector trumpets
dry weight: 152 kg (334 lbs.)
patented Cyclone cam drive system
clutch: superclutch triple plate 5.5"
water pump: ecu-driven, vari-speed electric unit

Beside the V16 are two V12's, a study in contrasts.

 

the v16 is interesting but a srong v8 with 11.5-1 makes alot more power

If they made v16 with a bore of 4.25 and 4.5 sroke that would be bad ***

 

Yeah but imagine what a V16 sounds like at 10,500 rpms Try that with a bore and stroke of 4.25 and 4.5.

 

gmc had a v12 which looked like 2 v6's end to end cast into 1 block

Something like this?

 

I prefer this...1620HP @ 3000 RPM.

 

on topic

Did a little research on the subject and came accross this:
http://flatheadjack.com/raceintro.html - flathead jack's v16 made from two v8 flat heads joined, quite some good information.

TV Tommy:
http://www.drcreview.com/news.asp?art=59
http://www.jsssoftware.com/diecast/reviews/g1800809.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_TDSTNPGzU

Random
twin engine hot rod: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO2MDBi6uYs&feature=related

Rotor, two 13b Mazda rotary engines joined:
http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/4rotor.html

I still like Fathead Jacks's build as it is the closest to looking like a genuine v16.

I have not come across any that we two blocks welded together. There would be many reasons for this such as:
- newer engines with OHC's would need cams aground as you could not retain the timing chain/belt and assembly on the front of the rear engine. Older engines timing gear would foul on rear of front engine.
- custom 1 peice crank would need to be ground (any ideas what that would actually cost?)
- cooling system on most engines has a return or pick up on the front of the engine. (this could be blocked off and a welsh plug on side of engine utilised; however coolant would not then pass through the whole engine and leave hot spots?)
....and on it goes.
For an engineering firm with the ability to grind cranks and cams it wouldn't be out of their reach to weld some alloy blocks together and grinf longer cams and crank etc etc... for the layman the expense of these custom few parts leaves us making adaptor plates etc

 

Try Mickey Thompson, he used FOUR Pontiac engines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv9c5M22fDQ

 

PFFF all those are for sissy boys. If you want to see a real engine or a combination of look no further than "Big Al". 4 V24 Allison engines 12000HP

 

Uhhhh.... you win.

 

PFFF all those are for sissy boys. If you want to see a real engine or a combination of look no further than "Big Al". 4 V24 Allison engines 12000HP

4 V24 Allisons? I don't think so! Allisons were V 12s, with 2 exhaust ports per cylinder. Although it was impressive, that car had 48 cylinders, not 96.

 

As you mentioned, it was a pretty common thing during the 60s and maybe the early 70s. But rules changes made it illegal and modern drag specific engines became available and were more reliable and easier to build. The Odd Couple rail was pretty strong on the 60s, you might google them. I believe they used a modified damper that bolted to the crank of the front engine. If you do it, you would have better results with a 60* V6 and couple it so you have an even firing pattern...it will run more smoothly...OR..you could locate and older V12 Jag engine, they were produced in pretty good numbers and should be fairly reasonable. I think they were around 326 inches.

 

I remembered seeing this years ago in Car Craft or Hot Rod. It was a rail called "Eight the Hard Way". It used two Pontiac Tempest 4 cylinders, which were actually the right bank of a 389.

All but one of the articles I remember reading about in-line twin engine cars had sprockets machined for the crank flange on the front engine and the crank snout on the back engine. A double roller chain "coupled" the cranks. The sole exception is one a vaguely remember where the guy had a custom, one piece crank forged for two blocks.

Today's cookie cutter cars may be safer, quicker, and faster, but they lack the soul of those 60's creations. Maybe I am just getting old.

 

4 V24 Allisons? I don't think so! Allisons were V 12s, with 2 exhaust ports per cylinder. Although it was impressive, that car had 48 cylinders, not 96.

I guess you're right I don't know much about 40's airplane engines, I was just counting the exhaust which I guess were split into 2 per cylinder. Although not all Allison's were V-12 the V-3420 was a double V 24 cylinder (really 2 V 12s mated together) engine which from the looks of it is what that car used but only 2 of them.

 

Strange- I posted this earlier:
Take a look HERE for a look at bunches of keen twin engined diggers.

But now I no see. Oh well.

Does anyone remember the Bustle Bomb? Not something you'd see every day.

EDIT- I did post it. In another thread. D'oh!

 

Saw the Bustle Bomb (or a recreation?) at the Garlit's Museum. Olds in front, Caddie in the back. Another example of what I mean by today's cars not having the "soul" of the oldies.

 

They had big cubes, big horsepower, but they weren't that fast. Most of them were great for a show, like smoking the tires for the full length of the quarter; but many of the old top fuelers (single engine) would do that easily. Heck, I bet any of the fuelers today could do it if they wanted.

I saw Arfons green monsters run ( a couple of them) and Tommy Ivo's 4 engine Buick. Good show, lots of noise and smoke, but bottom line, any of today's pro stockers would blow their doors off. Oh, they don't have doors.

Can you just imagine what it cost just to keep that Big Al thing running? Not running tip-top; but just running period. And all the associated costs of clutches, adapters, and driveline stuff?//