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The Tractor Engine "Myth"???

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spitfireal

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Hello All,

I've been doing some "fun research" on the 2660cc 100-4 engine - prompted by the claim put to me that it is a "tractor engine".

Now, I know it was used in the Austin A90 Atlantic but its history before that is a little sketchy. I've seen it written that Austin had a wharehouse full of tractor engines left over after WWII but the source is a little dubious.

Can anyone speak with any authority on this. I would like to be able to have some facts behind me next time I hear this claim.

Cheers,
Allan
 
I believe that it was actually a Standard engine that was used for agricultural machinery. Standard/Triumph later used the same engine for the TR-2. In one of my (hundreds of) books, I can document that. I'm hopeful that someone else here agrees so I won't be burdoned with looking it up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The 2.6 Austin engine (mile long stroke/narrow bore) was lumped into the same category. Who knows how these rumors start...
 
I don't know about the tractor engine myth, but I do know that the engine appears to be almost a copy of the 1936-1953 320 CI Buick straight eight.

I happened to be working on a 1939 version of the Buick engine next to my Healey and noticed that even the castings appeared similar, except that the Austin engine was half as long. The bore and stroke are exactly the same. Perhaps this was just a coincidence, or maybe the Buick copied the Austin.

I don't know when that 160 CI Austin engine went into production, but I thought it was a new engine in the early 50's. It was used in that Austin A-90 that came out around 1950 I think. Never saw many of those in this country.

I have seen the engine in '50 something Austin taxi's, with a tiny solex carburator but otherwise similar to the 100 engine. Those cabs also used a smaller 2.2 liter engine that someone told me uses the same crank as the 2.6.

That 2.6 is certainly a heavy, torquey engine, probably suitable for truck or farm use -- with that long stroke and tiny bore. Still, like the Buick straight eight, it was a good automotive engine compared to others of the pre-OHV V-8 era...It sure propels the Healey 100 nicely.

Bill.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I believe that it was actually a Standard engine that was used for agricultural machinery. Standard/Triumph later used the same engine for the TR-2...

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, the TR2/TR3/TR4 engine was the same basic engine that Standard provided to Ferguson tractors (and Morgans). Obviously some internals and the tuning were quite different for a tractor but the qualities demanded by agricultural machinery (e.g. sleeved pistons) made for a durable and serviceable engine.

It was a move borne out of the necessities of the post-war British motor industry but that it was successful as a sports car engine must be credited to the genius of Ken Richardson.
 
[ QUOTE ]
have heard the same over the years, including the comment that they make good boat moorings

[/ QUOTE ]

Welcome to the BCF zblu - is OZ anywhere near Austrailia?

-- Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

Cheers,
Basil
 
Hello all,

Here is a follow up. I asked well know Healey expert Michael Salter this question and he had a great response. Instead of trying top paraphrase here is an excerpt from his answer;

"The BN1/2 engine has an interesting heritage. It started life as a 6
cylinder military truck engine design just prior to WWII. The design
contract was never turned into a production engine and sat in the design
office files until after the war. The drawings were pulled out in 1947 when
there was a need for a big 4 and with 2 cylinders lopped of the front at
2200 c.c.it was first used in the Austin 16. The Austin Atlantic, British
engineers idea of what the American market required, was the next car to get
the engine. When that was a complete flop the engines and other components
were offered to Donald Healey at bargain prices. The engine actually
survived for many years thereafter in a Diesel version used in the FX3 / 4
Austin taxi. "

Thanks to Michael and all here who put in their two cents!
Allan
 
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