OK, this is a bit strange but Ford used to build 460's to run on 4 cylinders and used the 4 dead cylinders to compress air . . . kind of cool don't cha think?

 

Hmmm, interesting. Got any more pics, or info on these units?
Does it have a normal V8 style crank, or one like a 4 cyl?

 

Not much, just that an outfit called Gordon Smith & Co built air units using these engines. Got the photos from another site I frequent having to do with the construction trades.

 

Wow if it use a v8 crank think of how much gas it would take to turn 8 cylinders with the power of 4 not very good on the gas. But very cool find i like it.

 

Very cool! I hope somebody knows more about this. I'm quite interested.

 

Is that a single barrel carb I spy? Looks like a standard v8 cap... where those other wires going? Forward facing manifold!! add a passenger side and all I see is twin turbos! LOL

 

The unused plug wires look like they are being grounded to a bolt on the front of the engine. Yeah, can you imagine a monster truck with two big blocks hooked inline to each other with the front one set up as the supercharger for the back one? That would be a mag cover shot for sure!

 

Sure looks like a Windsor to me...

 

Not exactly the configuation I had in mind that would be fun to see also!

 

I'll be honest, I'm a powerstroke guy and I don't know my gas fords too good. Assumed it was a 460

 

Emglo used to use 351's on certain compressors. I could ask my dad or grandpa what they used them on since one of them designed it. Edit After a quick google search for "gordon smith air compressor" there is some info scattered around Also there isn't really that much difference between an air compressor and an engine, basically just take out the fuel and spark and hook the exhaust into an air tank and you have a compressor pump.

 

I had a friend build one out of a VW years ago becouse he thought is had to be the coolest thing ever. They have kits in the VW mags always in the back.

Basically the kit came with a special cam, and a few other special parts to help keep the back pressure from coming back into the cylinders. I knew he got it then he put it togather really fast, and I didn't have much interest in it other then it was cool as hell. He used a old/not really good for the street 2200 block to make his air compressor out of.

He hooked it to a big 75 gallon tank with big flex hose at home, and he would use a normal sized tank when he would take it places. It could auto cycle on/off or he could auto cycle it to an idle setting. It would run a long time off a 2-3 gallon moon tank.

If I remember right it would work at about the same CFM as some of the air tanks you see on the back of service trucks. Becouse I don't remember it taking that long to fill up a big air tank.

 

I have the same compressor in a tire service truck. I need to find parts, specifically the check valves. Does anyone know where i could get parts?

 

Boss Compressor Co. bought that company, should have parts, google 'em

 

Ive used one of these. They work really well. But I could swear the one we used had a 460 in it, not a Windsor.