Why USA Needed A Big-Block 6-Cylinder

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- Credits -
“1952 GMC 302 on Engine Dyno at ABT Machine Co” by ABT Machine

“1953 GMC Truck Engine Removal!!!!!!” by NJS Garage

“GMC army truck on the move. 302 straight six” by The Bootleg Garage

“1954 GMC 620 truck engine running.” by Chris Hagen

“GMC 302 Inline 6 Tear Down!!! **SURPRISING RESULTS**” by NJS Garage

“1957 GMC 503 test run” by Bruce Coffee

“Hall Scott powered Oshkosh vintage snowplow” by American Truck Historical Society

“GMC 503 with transmission” by Bruce Coffee

“GMC 630 Firetruck - Martin Collection - Lot 10” by Aumann Vintage Power

“1956 GMC 503 part two” by Prostreet stang

“503 Cubic Inch GMC Inline Six Startup” by Panzer Fabrik

[coffeepot]

Combustion engines are just beautiful, saved humanity countless times throughout the ages, in stormy weather, in firetrucks on the go, police cars, rescue vehicles.
Kept the streets free of snow, got you home for christmas, summer vacationing in hot weather and much much more.

[brocluno]

Back in the day (I was born in 49) we had a low grade of fuel called "Buss Gas" or "Commercial Gasoline". It had an octane rating of maybe 75 under to old rating system. It's why all these big engines had 6~7 compression ratios. With modern fuel they could be run up maybe 8.5 to 1 and probably make 50% more power with that higher CR and some more timing ...
With modern diesel trucks with regen, catalytic converters, and exhaust additives - these older gas engines are starting to get some interest again. But parts are hard to come by 🙃

[danw]

I had a 1947 Chevy pickup (converted to a 1 ton flatbed), and I pulled a 248 GMC engine from a 1953 military duece-and-a-half, along with a 5 speed O.D. transmission, and installed it in the Chevy. It was all of 105 hp., but 238 ft. lbs. of torque! It was commonly used in a lot of small to medium sized trucks of the era. They maxed out around 3400 rpm. tops, but had massive amounts of torque from 1200 rpm. to the 3400 rpm. maximum, and would pull heavy loads all day with no complaints. However, they were not easy on gas, and I eventually replaced it with a more modern 1979 250 cu. in. 6 cylinder that had 30 more hp. and better fuel mileage!😉

[senatorchinchilla]

The Jag 6 was 3.8-4.2L, you can get them everywhere for cheap here! Even comes with a broken Jag for free.

[AJ_Tim]

inline 6 is the best engine geometry ever invented. perfect primary and secondary balance.

[WatchGeek]

Straight 6's are special! I recently bought a 1992 Cherokee manual with the 4.0 AMC inline 6, and the engine is such a joy to drive! It has a roar, almost like a V8, and is so balanced you never feel like you're logging it. It just pulls smoothly without shudder, or hesitation from under 1.500 rpm in any gear, but I prefer to rev it out a bit, as it sounds magnificent 😁

[todstrucks]

I have a 1954 GMC 5 window fire engine with a 503 in.³ it is a beast!
Super slow rever, but has tons of torque. It move that beast around fairly easy.
Original Engine still runs really smooth .

[roaddiablo]

I'm still impressed with the GM 305ci Bigblock v6 from the 60s70s80s.

[alexcorona]

We did have a big block six, it was the Ford 300. It’s still used to this day in agriculture, aircraft pullers, Mail trucks and Delivery trucks….

[JustPeasant]

USA railroads were first in Dieselisation, starting in 1930. For transcontinental railroading, steam wasn't particularly suitable due to US geography (water was difficult to procure and transport in the desert). For use in navy submarines, diesel was only correct option.
However, it's use on highway was an afterthought in North America until 1960s.

[raymondj]

Great Video I never knew about some of these Engines 1000 ci strait 6 hell yea !

[PaulThomas-qovy]

Great video on really large U.S. domestic Inline 6 cylinder industrial gasoline engines! I was impressed by the 7 main bearings design & gear drive cams! Nice!

[ditto]

I bought a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer that had a 4.2 L inline six. What a smooth, powerful engine that was, with a really flat torque curve.

[claiborneeastjr]

When my Father started his construction company about 1948, he bought a surplus Army Deuce-and-a-half, six-wheel drive truck. It had a huge, inline, gasoline six, and was probably one of these engines. it was very dependable. I just vaguely remember the scripted GMC on the valve cover. He kept it for well over ten years, maybe a bit longer.

[brunodavidferreira]

Here in Brazil we jave GM 250" L6 in cara, pick up s, from 70', 80's and 90's

[Gary-yors]

Thanks for showing these unique period engines

[BruceCoffee]

Good Video. I saw some segments with my engine. I have been working on it for a couple of years. Soon will be driving it around. Stay tuned!

[julieanddavidmyers]

Wow what a huge block of over 1000 cb inches. Those big 6's held the place in the heavy duty field until diesel came into their own.

[windnsea]

Hard to imagine big gas engines still? Look no further than Ford's 7.3 V8 (Gas) and Chevy's 6.6 V8 (Gas) in pickups, box trucks, delivery vans, buses, and more :) The 7.3 Ford recently replaced their 6.8 V10.

[michaelguerin]

Thank you. Good episode. You can beat the sound of those old petrol sixes but … you can certainly beat their fuel economy😁. Cheers from NZ🇳🇿. Good to be a Patron.