MOST EXTREME Engine Ever BUILT

The WASP Major R-4360 is probably one of the most impressive engines ever built without the use of software, CNC machines or automation.

[gabedarrett]

Wait, a power to weight ratio has units. Did you mean 1.1 hp/kg or perhaps 1.1 kW/kg?

[skurneha]

Someone’s gonna try and put that thing in a Miata

[Uajd-hbqs]

This was the first time in history that “more complexity means greater failure rates” was met with “fuck it, let’s make it anyway”.

[Saabjock]

We had two at the aviation school I attended. It is still a marvel to look over that thing, knowing guys with slide rulers designed it. A true work of art and genius.

[Ichibuns]

RIP: The man who had to gap 56 spark plugs per engine

[dougg]

I’m amazed that there were mechanics that could tune, diagnose and repair this beast of twisted steel and horsepower.

[Bruh-fcik]

Gotta love that famous Pratt n Whitney precision. The fact that they were able to make this without computers and using the tools of their time is astonishing

[ACfishing]

28 cylcinder, turbo/supercharged 71L, making 3000hp in the 40-50’s is pretty crazy

[brianw]

These things were a nightmare to maintain. They had 56 spark plugs and some of the top cylinders needed replacement every 25 hours, all every 75.

[vermilin]

I hope man keeps these engines running until the end of time. Such an insane invention

[jessdigs]

8 of those bad boys powered the H-4 Hercules "spruce goose".

[titusnelson]

I was a mechanic on this engine with the 146th Air Guard at Van Nuys airport CA. The C-97s had four of these beasts. They also had alcohol injection. Changing the oil filters was difficult as one had to crawl backwards into the air scoop and the stand and reach above ghe head. Never done without oil all over the head. Also two spark plugs per cylinder for 56 total.

[FredAllenBurge]

Imagine if you had a cylinder misfire or two, you'd literally never know about it lol

[Halfrightfox]

Donate one to the Honda community. They'll figure out how to get that bad boy to fit

[happydays]

The mind that designed and brought the crankshaft into being was genius.

[billmoran]

I feel sorry for those who were born too late to witness 4 of those monsters coughing to life and then accelerating to a thundering takeoff roll. Truly an awesome experience.

[jamychong]

That engine startup was like a grandpa coughing his lungs out before showing you something 😂

[proteusnz]

The R-4360 had the interesting characteristic that it could be shut down in working order, but the next time you tried to start it, something would be broken. As Bill Gunston wrote the ultimate generation of big piston engines were a great argument for jets.

[WojtekXD]

I now can't stop imaging a plane sounding like an old car, thanks

[jcm]

4362.5 cubic inches! The turbocharged variant put out 4300 hp.