271:
29:
431:
Of all cylinder layouts without balance shaft, a straight eight design has very low inherent vibration, while the side-valve layout contains the moving parts of the valve train within the cast-iron block, enabling it to be very quiet compared to an overhead valve configuration (as in the contemporary
294:
from 1933 to 1954. Introduced in the fall of 1932 for the 1933 models, it was
Pontiac's most powerful engine at the time and the least expensive eight-cylinder engine built by an American automotive manufacturer. During its 21-year run displacement of the "eight" increased twice as platforms grew. It
453:
As with other iron block straight configurations, the engine is considerably heavier than an equivalent V configuration, requiring more materials for the crank and crankcase and so increasing overall vehicle weight in even greater proportion. The long crankshaft tends to exhibit torsional vibration
436:
engines). Combined with a substantial exhaust manifold and effective intake and exhaust muffling this can lead to a very quiet vehicle, both internally and externally. At the time of its use, a quiet and vibration free engine was thought to be a mark of quality in an automobile. Bores need be of
366:
was ready to go, with
Pontiac chassis and steering already adapted for it, but it was held back by the protesting Buick and Olds divisions. It was a truly modern, durable but affordable design perfectly matched to Pontiac's target market. A few years later (fall of 1956), under the guidance of
512:. The engine had a remarkably low idle speed of 450 rpm with standard transmission and 375 rpm (while in drive) for the automatic; a modern engine is usually tuned to a minimum 600-700 rpm. The electrical system was a 6-volt primary with a negative ground, and a conventional
454:
modes under high power, while side-valve flathead engines inhibit smooth intake and exhaust gas flow, limiting power. None of these disadvantages were disabling until the "horsepower race" initiated in the early 1950s ensured the dominance of the overhead valve V8.
437:
small diameter to keep the engine length down, and so strokes must be long to obtain larger displacements — such configurations (called "undersquare") exhibit good low-rpm torque and are capable of slow idle speeds, enhancing both drivability and quietness. While
1006:. The concept was equipped with the "Special"-8, a high output 268-cubic-inch (4.4 L) engine that was painted bright red and detailed in chrome. This was a unique configuration for the "eight", installed in the only two
1125:: The name taken from a body detail peculiar to Pontiacs manufactured from 1935 to 1956, called a "silver-streak", which is a five-banded, chromed metal band that ran down the middle of the hood and trunk. Born in the
367:
Bunkie
Knudsen Pontiac was determined to change its image into a performance car to boost sales, this led Knudsen to look for further talent, including Pete Estes as chief engineer (taken from Olds division) and
362:"Silver Streak" all but obsolete. It was a quiet, smooth running, cheap to produce engine that served the needs of the 1930s and '40s Pontiac buyers adequately for power. By 1953 the 287-cubic-inch (4.7 L)
501:
on the "eight" started at 5.7:1 initially, and was increased to 6.2:1 in 1934. In 1940 it was increased again to 6.5:1. From 1952 to 1954 two compression ratios were specified, 6.8:1 with
1018:, under open-mesh breathers. Total output was the highest ever for the "eight", rated at 230 bhp (172 kW), though some estimated it at over 300 bhp (224 kW). Like the
1032:
but was instead held back by GM marketing. They directed that the straight-eight be used to keep the V8 a secret from consumers for one more year until its debut the following year.
375:
and
Chrysler engineer. Pontiac became known as a performance division based upon the durable, well performing V8s that came later, all of them based upon the original 287 of 1955.
1358:
1272:
1129:
style of the mid thirties, it was meant as a visual cue to help distinguish
Pontiacs from their competitors, and create the illusion of speed.
327:
at
Pontiac Division. Powered by the "eight", optional in lower-end models, a Pontiac was promoted as a likable automobile, with enough
445:
they were not targeted for the lower middle price range enabled by
General Motors' manufacturing expertise and volumes of the time.
520:
1-6-2-5-8-3-7-4. The
Pontiac engines employed a full pressure oiling system and full bearing inserts, unlike its Chevrolet cousin.
1384:
304:
1464:
1209:
1073:
998:
1434:
206:
1459:
1355:
442:
383:
Designed and priced for conservative lower middle class buyers, the
Pontiacs filled a slot between the popular
523:
Below are specifications as per the model year and displacement, with output shown as horsepower (kilowatts).
1429:
509:
261:
89:
1196:
1010:
ever made. Similar in appearance only, this was a high compression variant, modified with a high-lift
355:
291:
81:
46:
438:
412:
372:
275:
96:
86:
41:
278:- note the large intake silencer leading to an oil-bath air cleaner on the left side of the engine
1444:
1015:
486:
351:
1439:
498:
480:
416:
363:
300:
176:
155:
1273:"1948 Pontiac Silver Streak (Torpedo, Series 25 (Six), Series 27 (Eight)) - conceptcarz.com"
312:
308:
1362:
513:
359:
250:
247:
218:
1210:"1942 Pontiac Streamliner (Series 26, Series 28, KB Line, Six, Eight) - conceptcarz.com"
1014:
and fitted with four Carter YH side-draft one-barrel carburetors, the same used in the
1003:
335:
201:
50:
403:
The "eight" was a typical
American built engine for its time, a side-valve L-head, or
1453:
1350:
owner and concept collector/restorer Joseph Bortz, in a filmed interview viewable at
368:
132:
1405:
1314:
1293:
1251:
1230:
1184:
517:
404:
270:
148:
121:
28:
1351:
502:
408:
506:
420:
388:
347:
328:
143:
384:
296:
191:
1126:
1011:
993:
339:
287:
228:
462:
During its run, the eight came in all Pontiacs, which included the
433:
392:
343:
419:"W" series single or dual-venturi (one- or two-barrel) downdraft
170:
1385:"1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama - conceptcarz.com"
1374:"Why the Straight-8?, explained in the same interview above.
1199:
Valuable online, statistical database for most classic cars
1175:
Motor's Auto Repair Manual, Sixteenth Edition, Motor.,1953.
1187:
A web based, statistical database for mid-century Pontiacs
331:
under the hood to get the job done in affordable luxury.
303:, in 1955. Engine block and cylinder heads were cast at
1113:
Pontiac Shop Manual 1934 Models General Motors of Canada
1141:
Pontiac sales brochure, Pontiac Motor Division, 1933.
1028:
Pontiac’s new V8 was being considered for use in the
256:
242:
237:
227:
217:
212:
200:
190:
182:
169:
164:
154:
142:
131:
120:
95:
80:
75:
67:
57:
40:
35:
21:
478:(1942–52), as well as the first six years of the
1109:
1107:
1105:
1103:
371:as director of advanced engineering, a former
1406:"THE CARBURETOR SHOP / Chevrolet 1912 - 1959"
8:
1002:, a concept car envisioned by head designer
1333:
1331:
908:Carter WCD 719/720 (2) (7.7:1 compression)
888:Carter WCD 719/720 (2) (6.8:1 compression)
27:
18:
1137:
1135:
350:, as well as new overhead valve V8s from
1315:"1949 Pontiac 249 Inline 8 Engine Specs"
1294:"1948 Pontiac 249 Inline 8 Engine Specs"
1252:"1947 Pontiac 249 Inline 8 Engine Specs"
1231:"1946 Pontiac 249 Inline 8 Engine Specs"
1171:
1169:
1167:
979:Carter WCD 2122S (2) (7.7:1 compression)
941:Carter WCD 2010S (2) (7.7:1 compression)
926:Carter WCD 2010S (2) (6.8:1 compression)
269:
16:Reciprocating internal combustion engine
1337:Motor's Auto Repair Manual, Motor.,1963
1165:
1163:
1161:
1159:
1157:
1155:
1153:
1151:
1149:
1147:
1099:
996:for 1954, Pontiac debuted its all new
505:(manual) transmission, and 7.7:1 with
334:However, by the early 1950s, powerful
895:Silver Streak 8 W/Hydra-Matic (52-27)
875:Silver Streak 8 W/Synchromesh (52-27)
484:(1949–58) and the debut year for the
233:153–234 lb⋅ft (207–317 N⋅m)
7:
1081:230 hp (172 kW) @ 3700 rpm
959:Carter WCD? (2) (6.8:1 compression)
835:268.2 cu in (4.4 L)
703:Custom & Torpedo Streamliner 8
645:248.9 cu in (4.1 L)
625:232.3 cu in (3.8 L)
569:223.4 cu in (3.7 L)
14:
951:Chieftain 8 W/Synchromesh (54-27)
933:Chieftain 8 W/Hydra-Matic (53-27)
918:Chieftain 8 W/Synchromesh (53-27)
260:287 cu in (4.7 L)
246:251 cu in (4.1 L)
1078:268 cu in (4.4 L)
966:Chieftain 8 W/Hydramatic (54-27)
305:Saginaw Metal Casting Operations
295:was superseded by Pontiac's new
223:77–252 bhp (57–188 kW)
113:268 cu in (4.4 L)
110:249 cu in (4.1 L)
107:233 cu in (3.8 L)
104:223 cu in (3.7 L)
323:The straight-8 was dubbed the
290:automobile engine produced by
1:
974:234 lb⋅ft (317 N⋅m)
903:222 lb⋅ft (301 N⋅m)
883:222 lb⋅ft (301 N⋅m)
863:220 lb⋅ft (298 N⋅m)
843:208 lb⋅ft (282 N⋅m)
819:190 lb⋅ft (258 N⋅m)
798:190 lb⋅ft (258 N⋅m)
753:190 lb⋅ft (258 N⋅m)
711:190 lb⋅ft (258 N⋅m)
690:175 lb⋅ft (237 N⋅m)
653:172 lb⋅ft (233 N⋅m)
633:161 lb⋅ft (218 N⋅m)
595:153 lb⋅ft (207 N⋅m)
338:V8s from sister GM Divisions
274:A Silver streak 8 in a 1949
1034:
1022:, only two were ever made.
525:
1481:
644:
600:Carter W-1 (1) Model 283-S
1435:Pontiac straight-6 engine
947:
914:
902:
878:252 hp (188 kW)
871:
834:
823:
773:
768:
752:
747:
664:
652:
614:
594:
568:
565:
284:Pontiac straight-8 engine
26:
22:Pontiac straight-8 engine
969:127 hp (95 kW)
954:122 hp (91 kW)
936:122 hp (91 kW)
921:118 hp (88 kW)
898:122 hp (91 kW)
858:116 hp (87 kW)
838:108 hp (81 kW)
814:106 hp (79 kW)
793:107 hp (80 kW)
780:108 hp (81 kW)
748:107 hp (80 kW)
729:103 hp (77 kW)
706:103 hp (77 kW)
665:100 hp (75 kW)
648:100 hp (75 kW)
1430:Pontiac Trophy 4 engine
1087:Carter YH 2206 (1) x 4
1064:Carburetor series (bbl)
855:Silver Streak 8 (51-27)
832:Silver Streak 8 (50-27)
824:Carter WCD 719/720 (2)
628:87 hp (65 kW)
610:84 hp (63 kW)
590:84 hp (63 kW)
572:77 hp (57 kW)
555:Carburetor series (bbl)
1465:Straight-eight engines
992:At the General Motors
777:Streamliner Wagon (28)
695:Carter WA-1, WD-0 (2)
510:automatic transmission
387:and the higher priced
279:
880:(modified) @ 3600 rpm
288:inline eight-cylinder
273:
1352:Motor Trend Magazine
1185:Second Chance Garage
356:Chrysler Corporation
1044:Model name (number)
803:Carter WCD 652 (2)
769:Carter WCD 630 (2)
758:Carter WCD 548 (2)
535:Model name (number)
514:mechanical ignition
443:had similar engines
413:naturally aspirated
311:before delivery to
276:Pontiac Streamliner
160:5.7:1, 6.8:1, 7.7:1
90:Straight-8 cylinder
87:Naturally aspirated
1445:List of GM engines
1361:2006-06-17 at the
999:Bonneville Special
766:Streamliner (8 MB)
352:Ford Motor Company
315:for installation.
307:then assembled at
280:
1440:Pontiac V8 engine
1091:
1090:
985:
984:
268:
267:
177:Carter Carburetor
156:Compression ratio
1472:
1417:
1416:
1414:
1412:
1402:
1396:
1395:
1393:
1391:
1381:
1375:
1372:
1366:
1344:
1338:
1335:
1326:
1325:
1323:
1321:
1311:
1305:
1304:
1302:
1300:
1290:
1284:
1283:
1281:
1279:
1269:
1263:
1262:
1260:
1258:
1248:
1242:
1241:
1239:
1237:
1227:
1221:
1220:
1218:
1216:
1206:
1200:
1194:
1188:
1182:
1176:
1173:
1142:
1139:
1130:
1120:
1114:
1111:
1035:
745:Torpedo (27LA78)
737:Carter WD-0 (2)
526:
364:Strato Streak V8
313:Pontiac Assembly
309:Tonawanda Engine
31:
19:
1480:
1479:
1475:
1474:
1473:
1471:
1470:
1469:
1460:Pontiac engines
1450:
1449:
1426:
1421:
1420:
1410:
1408:
1404:
1403:
1399:
1389:
1387:
1383:
1382:
1378:
1373:
1369:
1363:Wayback Machine
1345:
1341:
1336:
1329:
1319:
1317:
1313:
1312:
1308:
1298:
1296:
1292:
1291:
1287:
1277:
1275:
1271:
1270:
1266:
1256:
1254:
1250:
1249:
1245:
1235:
1233:
1229:
1228:
1224:
1214:
1212:
1208:
1207:
1203:
1195:
1191:
1183:
1179:
1174:
1145:
1140:
1133:
1121:
1117:
1112:
1101:
1096:
990:
975:
970:
955:
937:
922:
904:
899:
884:
879:
864:
859:
844:
839:
820:
815:
799:
794:
781:
754:
749:
730:
716:Carter WD-O (2)
712:
707:
691:
666:
654:
649:
634:
629:
611:
596:
591:
573:
496:
460:
451:
429:
401:
381:
321:
116:
71:1933–1954
17:
12:
11:
5:
1478:
1476:
1468:
1467:
1462:
1452:
1451:
1448:
1447:
1442:
1437:
1432:
1425:
1422:
1419:
1418:
1397:
1376:
1367:
1339:
1327:
1306:
1285:
1264:
1243:
1222:
1201:
1189:
1177:
1143:
1131:
1115:
1098:
1097:
1095:
1092:
1089:
1088:
1085:
1082:
1079:
1076:
1071:
1067:
1066:
1061:
1056:
1051:
1046:
1041:
1004:Harley J. Earl
989:
986:
983:
982:
980:
977:
972:
967:
963:
962:
960:
957:
952:
949:
945:
944:
942:
939:
934:
930:
929:
927:
924:
919:
916:
912:
911:
909:
906:
901:
896:
892:
891:
889:
886:
881:
876:
873:
869:
868:
866:
861:
856:
853:
849:
848:
846:
841:
836:
833:
830:
826:
825:
822:
817:
812:
811:Chieftain (8R)
809:
805:
804:
801:
796:
791:
787:
786:
783:
778:
775:
771:
770:
767:
764:
760:
759:
756:
751:
746:
743:
739:
738:
735:
732:
727:
724:
720:
719:
717:
714:
709:
704:
701:
697:
696:
693:
688:
685:
681:
680:
678:
675:
671:
670:
668:
663:
659:
658:
656:
651:
646:
643:
639:
638:
636:
631:
626:
623:
619:
618:
616:
615:Carter W-1 (1)
613:
608:
604:
603:
601:
598:
593:
588:
584:
583:
581:
580:Carter W-1 (1)
578:
575:
570:
567:
564:
560:
559:
557:
552:
547:
542:
537:
532:
495:
494:Specifications
492:
474:(1940–48) and
459:
456:
450:
447:
428:
425:
400:
397:
380:
377:
336:overhead valve
320:
317:
266:
265:
258:
254:
253:
244:
240:
239:
235:
234:
231:
225:
224:
221:
215:
214:
210:
209:
204:
202:Cooling system
198:
197:
194:
188:
187:
184:
180:
179:
174:
167:
166:
162:
161:
158:
152:
151:
146:
140:
139:
136:
129:
128:
125:
122:Cylinder block
118:
117:
115:
114:
111:
108:
105:
101:
99:
93:
92:
84:
78:
77:
73:
72:
69:
65:
64:
59:
55:
54:
51:General Motors
44:
38:
37:
33:
32:
24:
23:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1477:
1466:
1463:
1461:
1458:
1457:
1455:
1446:
1443:
1441:
1438:
1436:
1433:
1431:
1428:
1427:
1423:
1407:
1401:
1398:
1386:
1380:
1377:
1371:
1368:
1364:
1360:
1357:
1353:
1349:
1343:
1340:
1334:
1332:
1328:
1316:
1310:
1307:
1295:
1289:
1286:
1274:
1268:
1265:
1253:
1247:
1244:
1232:
1226:
1223:
1211:
1205:
1202:
1198:
1193:
1190:
1186:
1181:
1178:
1172:
1170:
1168:
1166:
1164:
1162:
1160:
1158:
1156:
1154:
1152:
1150:
1148:
1144:
1138:
1136:
1132:
1128:
1124:
1123:Silver-Streak
1119:
1116:
1110:
1108:
1106:
1104:
1100:
1093:
1086:
1084:NA @ 2000 rpm
1083:
1080:
1077:
1075:
1072:
1069:
1068:
1065:
1062:
1060:
1057:
1055:
1052:
1050:
1047:
1045:
1042:
1040:
1037:
1036:
1033:
1031:
1027:
1023:
1021:
1017:
1016:1953 Corvette
1013:
1009:
1005:
1001:
1000:
995:
987:
981:
978:
973:
968:
965:
964:
961:
958:
953:
950:
946:
943:
940:
935:
932:
931:
928:
925:
920:
917:
913:
910:
907:
897:
894:
893:
890:
887:
882:
877:
874:
870:
867:
862:
857:
854:
851:
850:
847:
842:
837:
831:
828:
827:
818:
813:
810:
807:
806:
802:
797:
792:
790:Torpedo (8PA)
789:
788:
784:
779:
776:
772:
765:
762:
761:
757:
744:
741:
740:
736:
733:
728:
725:
722:
721:
718:
715:
710:
705:
702:
699:
698:
694:
689:
686:
683:
682:
679:
676:
673:
672:
669:
661:
660:
657:
647:
641:
640:
637:
632:
627:
624:
621:
620:
617:
609:
606:
605:
602:
599:
589:
586:
585:
582:
579:
576:
571:
562:
561:
558:
556:
553:
551:
548:
546:
543:
541:
538:
536:
533:
531:
528:
527:
524:
521:
519:
515:
511:
508:
504:
500:
493:
491:
489:
488:
483:
482:
477:
473:
469:
465:
457:
455:
449:Disadvantages
448:
446:
444:
440:
435:
426:
424:
422:
418:
414:
410:
406:
398:
396:
394:
390:
386:
378:
376:
374:
370:
369:John DeLorean
365:
361:
357:
353:
349:
345:
341:
337:
332:
330:
326:
325:Silver-Streak
318:
316:
314:
310:
306:
302:
298:
293:
289:
285:
277:
272:
263:
259:
255:
252:
249:
245:
241:
236:
232:
230:
229:Torque output
226:
222:
220:
216:
211:
208:
205:
203:
199:
196:Full pressure
195:
193:
189:
185:
181:
178:
175:
172:
168:
163:
159:
157:
153:
150:
147:
145:
141:
137:
134:
133:Cylinder head
130:
126:
123:
119:
112:
109:
106:
103:
102:
100:
98:
94:
91:
88:
85:
83:
82:Configuration
79:
74:
70:
66:
63:
62:Silver Streak
60:
56:
52:
48:
45:
43:
39:
34:
30:
25:
20:
1409:. Retrieved
1400:
1388:. Retrieved
1379:
1370:
1354:, available
1347:
1342:
1318:. Retrieved
1309:
1297:. Retrieved
1288:
1276:. Retrieved
1267:
1255:. Retrieved
1246:
1234:. Retrieved
1225:
1213:. Retrieved
1204:
1197:Concept Carz
1192:
1180:
1122:
1118:
1063:
1058:
1054:Power Output
1053:
1049:Displacement
1048:
1043:
1038:
1029:
1025:
1024:
1019:
1007:
997:
991:
554:
549:
545:Power output
544:
540:Displacement
539:
534:
529:
522:
518:firing order
497:
485:
479:
475:
471:
467:
463:
461:
458:Applications
452:
430:
411:cam. It was
409:chain driven
402:
382:
333:
324:
322:
283:
281:
219:Power output
207:Water-cooled
97:Displacement
61:
42:Manufacturer
988:"Special"-8
726:Streamliner
516:, with the
503:synchromesh
499:Compression
490:(1954–66).
476:Streamliner
470:(1936–40),
389:Oldsmobiles
358:, made the
243:Predecessor
58:Also called
1454:Categories
976:@ 2200 rpm
971:@ 3800 rpm
956:@ 3800 rpm
938:@ 3600 rpm
923:@ 3600 rpm
905:@ 2200 rpm
900:@ 3600 rpm
885:@ 2200 rpm
865:@ 2000 rpm
860:@ 3600 rpm
845:@ 1800 rpm
840:@ 3600 rpm
821:@ 2200 rpm
816:@ 3800 rpm
800:@ 2000 rpm
795:@ 3700 rpm
785:NA @ 2000
782:@ 3700 rpm
755:@ 2000 rpm
750:@ 3700 rpm
731:@ 3700 rpm
713:@ 2200 rpm
708:@ 3500 rpm
692:@ 1600 rpm
667:@ 3700 rpm
655:@ 1600 rpm
650:@ 3800 rpm
635:@ 1600 rpm
630:@ 3800 rpm
612:@ 3800 rpm
597:@ 1600 rpm
592:@ 3600 rpm
574:@ 3600 rpm
507:Hydramatic
487:Star Chief
427:Advantages
421:carburetor
415:through a
405:"flathead"
348:Oldsmobile
238:Chronology
192:Oil system
165:Combustion
144:Valvetrain
68:Production
1094:Footnotes
1074:(SO 2026)
734:NA @ 2000
677:De Luxe 8
481:Chieftain
441:vehicles
407:, with a
385:Chevrolet
257:Successor
183:Fuel type
138:Cast iron
127:Cast iron
1424:See also
1411:23 March
1390:23 March
1359:Archived
1346:Such as
1320:23 March
1299:23 March
1278:23 March
1257:23 March
1236:23 March
1215:23 March
1127:Art Deco
1008:Specials
994:Motorama
439:Chrysler
360:flathead
340:Cadillac
248:flathead
186:Gasoline
149:Flathead
135:material
124:material
36:Overview
1348:Special
1030:Special
1020:Special
472:Torpedo
464:Special
373:Packard
319:History
292:Pontiac
47:Pontiac
1356:online
1059:Torque
687:Deluxe
550:Torque
468:Deluxe
417:Carter
399:Design
393:Buicks
379:Market
299:, the
286:is an
213:Output
173:system
76:Layout
1026:Note:
566:Eight
434:Buick
344:Buick
329:power
1413:2017
1392:2017
1322:2017
1301:2017
1280:2017
1259:2017
1238:2017
1217:2017
1070:1954
1039:Year
948:1954
915:1953
872:1952
852:1951
829:1950
808:1949
774:1948
763:1947
742:1946
723:1942
700:1941
684:1940
674:1939
662:1938
642:1937
622:1936
607:1935
587:1934
563:1933
530:Year
466:and
391:and
354:and
346:and
282:The
171:Fuel
1012:cam
577:N/A
301:287
262:OHV
1456::
1330:^
1146:^
1134:^
1102:^
423:.
395:.
342:,
297:V8
264:V8
251:I8
1415:.
1394:.
1365:.
1324:.
1303:.
1282:.
1261:.
1240:.
1219:.
53:)
49:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
