Cadillac V8 Engine - L-Head

L-Head

The Type 51 was the first Cadillac V8. Introduced in 1914, it was the standard engine for 1915 Cadillac models. It was a 90° design with an L-head (sidevalve) configuration and was water-cooled. Bore was 3.125 in (79 mm) and stroke was 5.125 in (130 mm), for a total of 314 cu in (5.15 L) of displacement. Output was 70 hp (52 kW).

This engine was designed under the leadership of Cadillac's chief engineer 1914-1917, Scottish-born D (D'Orsay) McCall White (1880 -), later a vice president of Cadillac. Hired by Henry Leland for his V-engine expertise from his employment as chief engineer at Napier, and previously Daimler, he was later to move to Nash with LaFayette. White was appointed to a committee of three to supervise the development of the V12 Liberty Aircraft Motor.

The engine was refined for 1923 with a new split crankshaft that introduced the (now standard) 90° offset for each pair of cylinders. Power was up to 83.5 hp (62 kW).

The L-Head was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines of the 20th century list.

L-Head applications:

• Cadillac Type 51
• Cadillac Type 53
• Cadillac Type 55
• Cadillac Type 57
• Cadillac Type 59
• Cadillac Type 61
• Cadillac V-63
• Cadillac Series 341

Cadillac created a new V8, the 341, for 1928. It was a 341 in³ engine and produced 90 hp (67 kW). The same year saw the introduction of the synchromesh transmission. This engine was used in the Series 341 and 341B cars of 1928 and 1929.

From 1930 through 1935, Cadillac produced a version with an increased displacement of 353 cu in (5.78 L). This used a 3.38 in (86 mm) bore and 4.94 in (125 mm) stroke. This engine was used in the Cadillac Series 353 and Series 355.