A while back I was working on an old JOY portable air compressor. It was powered a 4cylinder IHC engine (actually half of an IHC V8). I had never seen one, but I've since learned that motor was common in older Scouts and other IHC vehicles. I would have expected a well known industrial engine, like a Continental in compressor service.

It got me thinking about other unusual applications, adaptations or variations of common automotive engines.
In the early 90s I saw an air compressor that was built around a Ford 302. One cylinder head was replaced to make that side of the engine an air compressor. It ran off of the other bank via a 1V carb mounted an intake manifold that was, IIRC, missing the runners on the "compressor" side of the motor. The ID tag on the unit said Ford Power Products, or something similar.

Recently, at a Pontiac show, I saw a 62-63 Tempest with a "1/2 of a Pontiac V-8" 4-cyl engine. That's another one that I had never heard of. I'm guessing the Pontiac guys are quite familiar with that one, but it's sure not very common.

I remember the Chevy-II 4cyl that was basically a 230 I-6 with 2 cylinders chopped off, and many folks claim that the 3.8 Buick is a V-8 missing 2 cylinders (not really true, but kinda close).

Who has seen, or owns equipment, with variations of commonly known automotive engines?
Whatcha got?

 

I've heard it said a number of times that the 6.8L V-10 is an expanded 5.4L engine.

The main propulsion diesel engines used on large Coast Guard Cutters are actually locomotive engines adapted for heavy marine use. They're slow but they pull like hell.

 

I once saw a 73-79 Ford F-series that had it's "common" engine replaced with a 460cid inline-6 diesel engine that had been pulled from some piece of heavy construction equipment... They had to cut the firewall out and fabricate a new one to wrap around the back of the engine...

Never did hear it run, but I'll bet it shook like hell...

 

427 crossbolt side oiler high riser reverse rotation marine application.
300hp 7.3 liter diesel N/A marine application.
i also saw many ford industrial 4,6 and V8 engines of all different displacements in air compressors and earth moving equipment, both gas and diesel.

 

I know of a 2004 era 6.8 v10 that churns the pooh ponds 5 hours a day at the treatment plant outside. Each beater is about 40 feet long with a 60:1 gear drive.

 

I think it was Hobart welder generators in the 80's used Ford I-6's, not 300's though it was a 250 or 240, something like that. Then of course there are the 331, 361 and 391 industrial engines. Had a 331 in an old F650 or 750.

 

1957 Land Rover Series I - 107 Pickup - Pickup Truck History

This post expands the OP's intended thread and I apologize for that. However, the original Land Rovers were outfitted with some farming accessories driven by a PTO.

Later generation "series" land rovers were adapted for ambulances, military use and private use. These vehicles have an awesome history and have been nothing short of amazing.

 

I have seen chippers powered by the 2.3l Pinto engine, the 300-6 and some sort of FT (pretty sure it was a 361, tag said 185hp).
I have also heard of the Chrysler big bock 318s being used to power machinery off an overhead belt drive system, but I have never seen one myself.

 

used to look for the semi precious side oiler 427's in forklifts as somehow they ended up in some .................. and i learned a long time ago if it's got an automotive engine in it open it up ... god only knows what you'll find whether it was there originally or not ...............

 

I have seen a SBF in a large forklift at a sawmill lumberyard........I do not know if it was 260/289/302/351w, but it was most definitely a SBF and still running on gasoline, not propane.........Forklift was a Hyster brand and not new at the time.

 

When I was framing in California, we ran power off of 4 generator trailers that were powered by model T engines, and they still had the crank handles on them.

 

Well a few years ago I was out in the East Bay area with my brother and we were at some park--forget the name. Anyway, I was looking up and around at the splendor of the place, when up on top of the building that was there I spotted something that I instantly recognized. Hemi powered, loud as hell. Everyone in the world would reconize the sound as the probable prelude to their incineration.

Behold the 331 hemi powered unit:

VictorySiren.com - Internet Home for the Chrysler Air Raid Siren

Historical Thursday: Chrysler Air Raid Siren - There, I Fixed It - Redneck Repairs

The first has at least audio, the second has a You tube video, and you'll note there are NO MUFFLERS on that hemi....

 

Bloody Hell!

 

I sold a 302 short block for fifty bucks to a guy who had a compressor setup like you describe. My dad says using Model T or A (T&A?) engines modified as compressors was pretty common back in the day.

rustyrelic has a Cummins inline diesel six for a FORD in his firetruck! It even says it's for Ford on the side of the engine.

 

I know that the Chrysler flathead six was used as an industrial engine, marine engine and as a tractor (can't recall the make, but well known one) engine.

The Fordson tractor used the 4 cylinder Ford engine that was also an option in the Ford pickup of the late 30's/early 40's (I think)...also private firms made swap kits to use the Ford flathead V8 in the Fordson.