It appears that I am in a topic surrounded by engineers here but I will try my best. In regard to the original question, the reason for a different "sound" between a 4 cyl, 6 cyl, V8, etc. is 75% crankshaft and 25% exhaust pipe period! If we study the geometry of a 90deg 4 rod journal crankshaft rotating in a 90deg block then we see that there is only 2 possible firing orders for this congiguation (unless 2 cylinders were fired together, we will ingnore that experimental stuff). One firing order would yeild XOXXOXOO on the right bank and OXOOXOXX on the left bank. This is the firing order for a 390 Ford, the Clevlend engines used the other possibility. The reason that there are many listed "firing orders" for V8"s is because the manufacturers number their cylindres differently. It reality there are just the 2 possibilities. When we look at the firing order layout above we see an uneven rythymn in each bank. This is what creates the distinctive V8 "sound". Headers enhance this sound because the tubes are of equal length dumping into the collector, keeping the uneven rythymn going all the way through the exhaust. The pulse rythymn gets somewhat lost in the cast iron manifold of unequal length. This uneven pattern is eliminated with the use of 180deg headers on a V8 (seems to be a craze these days because the Ford GT uses them). This gives a sound of 2 large 4 cylinder engines side by side. 180 deg headers were tried for a while in the mid 70"s but died out. We didnt see any real power gains using them. I have used the V8 configuration as an example but this holds true for all engines. Another example is the "Zoomies" used in demolition cars. If they are all pointed straight up you hear just lound noise as compared to a dragster where you hear mostly 1 bank of cylinders with an eneven rythymn. This can be played with by using a sequencer type program available many times free on th web. Just carefully chart out the pattern as I did above for your engine and place the pattern in the sequencer then play it. If you want to simulate a dual exhaust type engine just change the tone slightly for each pipe. Most sequencers are designed for music so the sound would be like a slow engine. You could set it for 64th notes at 200 beats a minute or faster or maybe there are other programs out there to do this. One other example was the old 6 cyl GMC of the 50s. Split manifolds were a fad for a different sound. To the poster that went to Parky Nall, you spelled it correct, I used to work for him. He never worked at H-M but knew John Holman since the 50"s when he did work for Bill Stroppe. I must have left before you came to him as I dont remember a puller engine. I dont know why it sounded strange as you say. His engine of choice then was a 351 windsor with 351 Boss heads, his "Windsor Boss". Hope this helps.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - The Cletrac General GG and the BF Avery A - A Bit of History - by Mike Ballash. This article is a summary of what I have gathered up from various sources on the Gletrac General GG and the B. F. Avery model A tractors. I am quite sure that most of it is accurate. The General GG was made by the Cleveland Tractor Company (Cletrac) of Cleveland, Ohio. Originally the company was called the Cleveland Motor Plow Company which began in 1912, then the Cleveland Tractor Company (1917) and finally Cletrac.
... [Read Article]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
