Technical 1931 DeSoto straight 8 secured, info?

They seem pretty elusive online as far as info goes or any builds containing them... The engine turns over nicely by hand crank, I was thinking about being different and using this in a single seat vintage racer or perhaps using it in a prewar styled lakes modified both of which being made of period Mopar parts. Any input would be great!



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With some exceptions pre-war American straight-8s tend to follow a pattern: flathead, liberally undersquare, lots of siamesed ports, not a lot of main bearings; hence heavy, slow-running. All those are limitations, but nevertheless I have a fondness for these engines. I wish I could afford to apply some cubic ingenuity to one.

Being a fan of Specials that's what I'd build: something which stands to DeSoto as a Railton stands to Hudson.

 

Just a thought. This engine did go 250 in a streamliner

 

The only limitation is your imagination.....

 

And Checkbook........

 

Is that a babbit main motor?

 

Go here if you want to keep it fairly stock....http://forums.aaca.org/forum/48-desoto/
If you want it to go fast, you might talk to these guys. They just beefed up a 1931 DeSoto SA6 and have some GREAT knowledge there.
http://www.fastfourspecial.com/

 

Yes.

 

Save that very rare air cleaner!

 

I'll save the whole thing, rear end has a worm gear soooo that'll go... I'm thinking this was at one point a doodle bug tractor thing during the war... I'll bring in the rears of the frame and get going on a special/dirt track build.



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This looks like the makings of a fun project.
Rich Fox knows his stuff, that blower engine would be fun to pedal.