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OK, if the criterion is a 4 wheeled road vehicle available to the general public, I am going to say the King Midget, which was still using an L-head in 1969.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
I did a little digging--according to several sources the first year for Chevy engines to replace the flathead Continental in the Checker was 1964, so that's still a year earlier than the Rambler American abandoned the flathead.
I remember from my Chilton days that the Checker had Chevrolet engines going way back into the 1960s, so I believe you are correct.
It seems that all four- and eight-cylinder Scouts had OHV engines. Six cylinder engines were supplied by AMC or Nissan Diesel, none of which were flat-head engines.
I don't think the Jeep qualifies, since the Hurricane (post-1955) is technically an F-head, with overhead intake valves and only the exhaust valves residing in the block.
Yep, prize goes to Stephen....it's the '68 Dodge Power Wagon, available with the flathead-6/ 250 cid engine, a variant of the 230 cid, which still had industrial and marine uses up to 1974 or so. It is also reported, but I haven't verified, that the 250 Flathead appeared in the U.S. Army's 3/4 ton vehicles into the 70s.
The King Midget? I hadn't really thought of that, but being a kit car and hardly a "road car", I'm inclined to be a strict judge and say "not quite".
As for the Jeep, yes, that is an "F-head" engine, so not a flathead.
Also, FYI, the Continental engine in the Checker in the 60s was actually a flathead *converted* to OHV. Same block, different head.
Pontiac held on to flatheads, I-6 and I-8, through the '54 model year. The Division introduced its version of the modern (for its day) overhead valve, high compression, short stroke V8 for '55.
I remember an old timer mechanic who was a line mechanic in a Pontiac store saying that some of the 1955's had soft camshaft problems that were corrected the next year.
Now, without looking it up, what was the last year a person could get the Indian head hood ornament that lit up at night?
Flatheads in the "straight" configuration lasted a long time because they were very quiet and very smooth (especially the straight 8). They were also cheap to build and pretty durable. What they weren't....was....light----and they really ran out of steam at PRM and kicked up a lot of torsional vibration, due to the long crank. What with the demand for power accessories and larger and larger cars, the game was up by the mid-50s, except for a few cash-poor holdouts.
One of the many cars I had in my mispent youth was a beautiful 1949 Pontiac I bought when I worked in a gas station. It was in perfect condfition, low miles etc.
But, it had a problem that I couldn't solve. If I drove it during the day when it was hot outside, it would run very hot. It would nearly peg the temperature guage.
At night it would be just fine.
I listened to everyone. I had the radiator rodded out. I replaced all of the hoses and the water pump. I even replaced the head gasket.
Finally, I sold the car.
Years later, I told this story to an old time Pontiac mechanic. He knew instantly what the problem was.
I'm wondering whether they could address the weight and torsional vibration issues today. If they could (a big "if", I suppose), I wonder whether a 3.0 or 3.5 liter OHC, DI I-8 would work well.
I'm wondering whether they could address the weight and torsional vibration issues today. If they could (a big "if", I suppose), I wonder whether a 3.0 or 3.5 liter OHC, DI I-8 would work well.
Back in the mid-1990s, both Ford and Chrysler toyed with the idea of a modern straight-eight. Chrysler linked two Dodge Neon 2.0L DOHC four-bangers into the pretty 4.0L DOHC straight-eight in the Chrysler Atlantic concept car, which was discussed for production at one point. Ford's attempt was less production worthy, but was being discussed as the future direction of powertrains with its "T-drive" where the power came out from the middle of the straight-eight engine mounted longitudinally in the front of the 1991 Ford Contour concept car.
I was thinking along the lines of interior block corrosion of some sort, so I was on the right track---but my answer sounded a bit lame so I didn't post it.
Yes and her journey heavily influenced the struggle for womens' rights throughout the USA. During the womens' "suffrage" movement, women often campaigned while driving cars, to show that they could take care of business in lots of ways. The battle ended in 1920 with passage of the 19th amendment.
There were very few roads out West in 1909. I'm sure it was a very difficult journey covering months of struggle to get there.
Everyone thinks of the West being "settled" by covered wagons, but in fact, in places like California, real population growth in the early part of the 20th century was facilitated by the automobile.
Ker-rect. I'm giving the prize to texases on a technicality, that production started in Europe in 1974. Lemko gets to be Miss Congeniality in this round. :P
Comments
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
I remember from my Chilton days that the Checker had Chevrolet engines going way back into the 1960s, so I believe you are correct.
It seems that all four- and eight-cylinder Scouts had OHV engines. Six cylinder engines were supplied by AMC or Nissan Diesel, none of which were flat-head engines.
That's ok. I'm used to be overlooked.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
It's later than the 1971 Jeep CJ5?
The King Midget? I hadn't really thought of that, but being a kit car and hardly a "road car", I'm inclined to be a strict judge and say "not quite".
As for the Jeep, yes, that is an "F-head" engine, so not a flathead.
Also, FYI, the Continental engine in the Checker in the 60s was actually a flathead *converted* to OHV. Same block, different head.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Chevy had overhead valve sixes forever, Ford brought them out in 1952..
Anyone know which GM division held on longer than anyone else and what their last year was for flatheads?
Hmm. MG TC, 1949?
I am honored, sir.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
I remember an old timer mechanic who was a line mechanic in a Pontiac store saying that some of the 1955's had soft camshaft problems that were corrected the next year.
Now, without looking it up, what was the last year a person could get the Indian head hood ornament that lit up at night?
Now I thought Pontiac 6s were OHV by this time?
1956 was the last year for the lighted Indian and I still remember thinking how cool ther were when I was a kid.
I suppose they would be considered politically incorrect now?
Sometimes when I see a large Lexus I think, "darn, that should be a Packard."
Keep going...still newer.
One of the many cars I had in my mispent youth was a beautiful 1949 Pontiac I bought when I worked in a gas station. It was in perfect condfition, low miles etc.
But, it had a problem that I couldn't solve. If I drove it during the day when it was hot outside, it would run very hot. It would nearly peg the temperature guage.
At night it would be just fine.
I listened to everyone. I had the radiator rodded out. I replaced all of the hoses and the water pump. I even replaced the head gasket.
Finally, I sold the car.
Years later, I told this story to an old time Pontiac mechanic. He knew instantly what the problem was.
Anyone know?
Back in the mid-1990s, both Ford and Chrysler toyed with the idea of a modern straight-eight. Chrysler linked two Dodge Neon 2.0L DOHC four-bangers into the pretty 4.0L DOHC straight-eight in the Chrysler Atlantic concept car, which was discussed for production at one point. Ford's attempt was less production worthy, but was being discussed as the future direction of powertrains with its "T-drive" where the power came out from the middle of the straight-eight engine mounted longitudinally in the front of the 1991 Ford Contour concept car.
Eight-cylinder "t-drive" tested in a Ford Tempo.
Last call for the last American-market car to not have independent front suspension. Hint: it was 1988."
OK,
Most flatheads used a water distributing tube that allowed coolant to cool down the valve seats. They would rust out and create the problem I had.
Dorman, the nut and bolt company made these and the old time parts houses sold them. They were usually a nasty b***h to replace.
New puzzle comin' up:
Year and Make please?
If you know the driver, bonus points. :P
Sorry, I cheated; credit goes to Google, if that's the right answer.
Yes and her journey heavily influenced the struggle for womens' rights throughout the USA. During the womens' "suffrage" movement, women often campaigned while driving cars, to show that they could take care of business in lots of ways. The battle ended in 1920 with passage of the 19th amendment.
Anyway, Alice deserves to be congratulated and honored for her contribution to equal rights, as well as for her achievement.
Everyone thinks of the West being "settled" by covered wagons, but in fact, in places like California, real population growth in the early part of the 20th century was facilitated by the automobile.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
carvehicle (oops) (total sales to date) in the world...Who Am I, and what was the first year I was made?