View source for Daimler V8 engines

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox automobile engine
| name          =Daimler V8
| image         =Daimler SP250 V8 Engine 1963 3737131536.jpg
| caption       =1963 [[Daimler SP250]] V8 Engine
| manufacturer  =[[Daimler Company|The Daimler Company Limited]]
| aka           =
| production    ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:'''|1959-1968 2,044 cars|864 [[Daimler DR450|Daimler limousines]]|1,180 [[Daimler Majestic Major|Majestic Major saloons]]|'''2½ litre:'''|1959-1969|20,268 or more|2648 [[Daimler SP250|SP250 sports cars]]|17,620 [[Daimler 250|2.5 V8 & V8-250 saloon cars]]|marine engines produced from 1961}}
| predecessor   ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:'''|[[Daimler Straight-Eight engines#Thirty-Six DE 36|DE36 Straight-Eight]]|[[Daimler DK400|DK400 Straight-Six]]|'''2½ litre:'''|[[Daimler Conquest|2½-litre Straight-Six Daimler Conquest]] }}
| configuration =90 degree [[V engine|V]] eight-cylinder{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=279}}
| displacement  ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' {{convert|4.561|L|cuin|0}}<ref name="ART" />|'''2½ litre:''' {{convert|2.548|L|cuin|0}}{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=279}} }}
| bore          ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' {{Convert|95.25|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}<ref name="ART" />|'''2½ litre:''' {{Convert|76.2|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=279}} }}
| stroke        ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' {{Convert|80.01|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}<ref name="ART" /><br />'''2½ litre:''' {{Convert|69.85|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=279}} }}
| block         =Cast iron{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=271}}
| head          =Aluminium alloy{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=271}}
| valvetrain    =[[Overhead valve|OHV]] by pushrods and rockers<ref name="ART" /> from a single camshaft,{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=276}} two valves per cylinder, hemispherical head{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=277}}
| compression   ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' 8.0:1<ref name="ART" />|'''2½ litre:''' 8.2:1{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=279}} }}
| fuelsystem    ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' Carburettors—twin [[SU carburetter|S.U.]] HD8; fuel pump—SU electric|Aua 61<ref name="ART"/>|'''2½ litre:''' Carburettors—twin [[SU carburetter|S.U.]] HD6{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=279}} }}
| fueltype      =Petrol<ref name="ART" />
| oilsystem     =Filter—Full flow replaceable element<ref name="ART" />
| coolingsystem =Water<ref name="ART"/>
| power         ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' {{convert|220|bhp|kW PS|abbr=on}} @ 5,500 rpm<ref name="ART"/>|'''2½ litre:''' {{convert|140|bhp|kW PS|abbr=on}} @ 5,800 rpm{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=279}} }}
| specpower     =
| torque        ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' {{convert|383.7|Nm|abbr=on}} @ 3,200 rpm<ref name="ART"/>|'''2½ litre:''' {{convert|210|Nm|abbr=on}} @ 3,600 rpm{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=279}} }}
| length        ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' {{Convert|31.25|in|mm|1|abbr=on}}|'''2½ litre:''' {{Convert|30|in|mm|1|abbr=on}} }}
| width         ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' {{Convert|25.5|in|mm|1|abbr=on}}|'''2½ litre:''' {{Convert|24|in|mm|1|abbr=on}} }}
| height        ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' {{Convert|31|in|mm|1|abbr=on}}|'''2½ litre:''' {{Convert|27|in|mm|1|abbr=on}} }}
| diameter      =
| weight        ={{Unbulleted list|'''4½ litre:''' {{Convert|498|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}|'''2½ litre:''' {{Convert|419|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} exc. flywheel}}
}}

'''V-8 engines''' were produced by the [[Daimler Company]] in displacements of {{convert|2.5|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} (1959-1968) and {{convert|4.5|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} (1959-1968).  Designed for Daimler by [[Edward Turner (motorcycle designer)|Edward Turner]], they were initially used in the [[Daimler SP250|SP250 sports car]] and the [[Daimler Majestic Major|Majestic Major]] saloon respectively; ultimately, the 2.5 L was mostly used in the [[Daimler 250|Daimler 2.5 V8 (later named V8-250)]] saloon made with [[Jaguar Mark 2]] [[Unibody|unit bodies]] from 1962 to 1969. Approximately 20,000 of the 2.5 L were used in the SP250 and the 250 saloon, and approximately 2,000 4.5 L in the Majestic Major saloon and its [[Daimler DR450]] limousine variant which remained in production until 1968.

==Design and development==
Shortly after being appointed managing director (Chief Executive) of BSA's Automotive Division in 1956, [[Edward Turner (motorcycle designer)|Edward Turner]] was asked to design a [[Sedan (automobile)|saloon car]] powered by a [[V8 engine]].{{Sfn|Clew|2007|p=82}}{{Sfn|Long|2008|p=19}}  Turner and his design engineer Jack Wickes began considering the initial concept of their new engine by examining the manual and spare parts list of a [[Cadillac V8 engine#331|Cadillac V8 engine]], a 90° design with an L-head ([[sidevalve]])  introduced in 1914 and regarded as the first mass-produced V8.  Using a pushrod [[overhead valve]] system kept down design, development and production costs and allowed Turner to base the design of the [[cylinder head]] on those he developed for [[Triumph Engineering|Triumph motorcycles]]{{Sfn|Clew|2007|p=82}}{{Sfn|Long|2008|pp=20–22}} including the use of [[Hemi engine|hemispherical combustion chambers]].{{Sfn|Long|2008|p=87}} 
Adapting the Triumph head design for use in a saloon car engine required much work in reducing friction and improving timing.{{Sfn|Long|2008|p=22}}
Much of the development of the prototype engine was carried out by Dr. J. N. H. Tait.{{Sfn|Long|2008|pp=22–23}} Tait had been involved with [[Donald Healey]] in the early post war years, working successfully on modified [[Riley RM#Riley RM car models|Riley 2½-litre Big Four]] engines, the final incarnation of which was used in 1953 Zethrin Rennsport prototype, delivering close to 200&nbsp;bhp with surprising tractability.{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}}

Limited investment in tooling for the 2.5-litre engine led to limited production capacity, with a maximum weekly output of 140 engines, and the 4.5 litre was only ever made in small quantities. This prescribed maximum output was never achieved during the production of the engine.{{Sfn|Douglas-Scott-Montagu|Burgess-Wise|1995|p=279}}

==Specifications==
The 90 degree V8 engine has a cast iron block, a short, stiff, dynamically balanced crankshaft carried on five bearings, light-alloy heads{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=271}} with part-hemispherical combustion chambers, and two push-rod operated overhead valves per cylinder operated by a single chain-driven camshaft positioned centrally high up in the vee.{{Sfn|Smith|1972|pp=276–277, 279}} Other claims maintain the pistons are aluminium alloy pistons, the connecting rods steel, the block cast chrome-iron, and the heads a sand-cast high-tensile light alloy.{{cn|date=June 2024}} The nose of the crankshaft carries a torsional vibration damper, a four or six-bladed fan, and the pulley for the triangulated thin belt drive for the dynamo and water pump.{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=271}} The dynamo is located between the cylinder banks on the smaller 2.5.{{Sfn|Smith|1972|pp=271–272}} At the rear the drive is taken from the back of the camshaft for the distributor positioned high above the unit{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=272}} behind the two semi-downdraught SU carburettors.{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=296}} There is a separate exhaust system for each bank of cylinders.<ref name=Smith1980 /> Light alloy is used for the valve covers, tappet blocks, sump and inlet manifolds.{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=296}} Cooling is by pump and fan with a thermostatic by-pass control.{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=297}}

==Applications==
The engine first publicly appeared in the Daimler Dart but, after Chrysler objected to use of that name, it was called the [[Daimler SP250]], a [[Fiberglass|fibreglass]] bodied sports car aimed at the American market.

In December 1961 Daimler announced a marine version of their 2.5-litre V8.{{Sfn|Douglas-Scott-Montagu|Burgess-Wise|1995|pp=279–280}}{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=293}}

The 2.5-litre engine, only {{convert|30|in}} long and developing {{convert|140|bhp|abbr=on}} @ 5,800&nbsp;rpm, gave better performance than Jaguar's own 2.4-litre DOHC in-line six, and after the 1960 merger the opportunity was taken to create an up-market Daimler V8 version of the [[Jaguar Mark 2]]. Between the years 1962 and 1969 17,620 Daimler/Jaguar V8s were built. Initially called the Daimler 2.5 V8, it was later called the Daimler V8-250.
{{Gallery
|title=Daimlers with 2½ litre engines
|width=200 | height=180 |align=center
|File:Daimler Dart SP250 1961 (front) - Flickr - mick - Lumix.jpg
|[[Daimler SP250|SP250]] sports car
|File:Daimler 250 Saloon.jpg
|[[Daimler 250|Daimler V8-250]] saloon
}}

The 4.5-litre engine was used in the [[Daimler Majestic Major]] DQ450, which is now rare, but was a respected high performance saloon in its day. The engine was also used in the Majestic Major's limousine derivative, the [[Daimler DR450|DR450]]. The 4.5-litre was tested in a [[Jaguar Mark X]] and  there are some unauthenticated reports that this car lapped the [[MIRA Ltd.|Motor Industry Research Association]]'s high-speed test track  at {{convert|133|mph|abbr=on}} but was reportedly not put into production precisely because its performance was better than the original 3.8 Mark X's.{{Sfn|Buckley|2003|p=176}} However, the more likely explanation is that there was not the production capacity for the engine, and in any event the 4.2 litre mark X gave superior acceleration. All 4.5-litre V8 models sold were automatic, which makes connection to a manual transmission difficult.

{{Gallery
|title=Daimlers with 4½ litre engines
|width=200 | height=180 |align=center
|File:Daimler Majestic Major saloon 5918247500 2d791c50f0 o.jpg|[[Daimler Majestic Major|Majestic Major]] saloon
|File:Daimler DR450 Majestic Major Limousine Front End.jpg|[[Daimler DR450]] limousine
}}
{{clear}}

===Felday-Daimler hillclimbing special===
Peter Westbury, an engineer from Surrey, England, competed in [[hillclimbing]] events in cars powered by Daimler V8 engines. Between the end of the 1962 [[Royal Automobile Club|RAC]] Hillclimb Championship season, in which he finished seventh in a V8-powered [[Cooper Car Company|Cooper]], and the beginning of the 1963 season, Westbury built a new hillclimbing special called the Felday-Daimler powered by a 2.5-litre Daimler V8 with a {{convert|2|in|mm|abbr=on}} SU carburettor and a Roots supercharger. Westbury won the 1963 RAC Hillclimb Championship in the Felday-Daimler, setting course records at Craigantlet in Ulster and Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire.{{Sfn|Douglas-Scott-Montagu|Burgess-Wise|1995|p=279}}{{Sfn|Smith|1972|p=282}}

===Glacier Grenade drag racing special===
In 1970, Russ Carpenter and Tony Anderson built the "Glacier Grenade," a rear-engined dragster.{{Sfn|Langlois|2014}} It was the first "All British" rear engined dragster of its type.{{Citation needed|date=June 2015}} Powered by a 2.5litre Daimler V8 it would compete in drag racing from March 1972 until 1989 when the car was outlawed from European racing. Russ began to drive the car in 1974 taking over sole driving duties after Tony's retirement from the sport in 1976 due to a spinal injury. Russ continued the car's development all the way through its racing life.<ref name="britishdragracinghof.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk/hall-of-fame/russ-carpenter/|title=Russ Carpenter - British Drag Racing Hall of Fame|website=www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk|access-date=2016-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806201036/http://www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk/hall-of-fame/russ-carpenter/|archive-date=6 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1980 it became the first drag car under 5.5 litres, and the first all-British car to complete a quarter-mile race in less than eight seconds.{{Sfn|Langlois|2014}} By the time of its retirement, the car, using mainly stock engine parts,{{Citation needed|date=June 2015}} produced 1400&nbsp;bhp and ran the standing quarter mile in 7.2 seconds at 180&nbsp;mph.{{Sfn|Long|2008|p=159}} The car was restored and was to be displayed at Dunsfold Aerodrome near Guildford in April 2014.{{Sfn|Langlois|2014}}

In 2014 Russ Carpenter was inducted into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame for his development of this engine and influencing others to use a British engine in a largely American engine focused Motorsport.<ref name="britishdragracinghof.co.uk"/>

==End of production==
Jaguar became part of the [[British Leyland]] Motor Corporation (BLMC) in 1968. BLMC chairman [[Donald Stokes, Baron Stokes|Sir Donald Stokes]] decided that the production costs of the Daimler V8 engine were too high and ordered its discontinuation.{{Sfn|Boddy|1971|p=13}} The Majestic Major was discontinued without replacement in 1968, followed by the V8-250 in 1969.{{Sfn|Long|2008|p=137}} By 1970 the Daimler range was reduced to the [[Jaguar XJ6]]-based [[Daimler Sovereign]] saloon and the [[Jaguar Mark X]]-based [[Daimler DS420]] limousine, both powered by [[Jaguar XK engine]]s.

==Notes==
;Footnotes
{{reflist|group="note"}}

;Citations
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="ART">Autocar Road Test 1907, ''Autocar'', 4 January 1963, Iliffe, Sons & Sturmey, London 1963</ref>

<ref name=Smith1980>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Brian E. |title=The Daimler Tradition |edition=second revised |year=1980 |publisher=Transport Bookman Publications |isbn=085184-014-0 }}</ref>
}}

==References==
*Autocar Road Test 1907, ''Autocar'', 4 January 1963, Iliffe, Sons & Sturmey, London 1963
*{{cite journal
| last       = Boddy
| first      = William
| author-link = Bill Boddy
| date       = January 1971
| title      = Matters of Moment: Great Expectations
| url        = http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/january-1971/15/matters-moment
| editor-last       = Boddy
| editor-first      = William
| journal    = [[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]
| volume     = XLVII
| issue      = 1
| page       = 13
| location   = London, UK
| publisher  = Teesdale Publishing
| access-date=9 March 2015
}}
*{{cite book 
 | last =Buckley 
 | first =Martin  
 | title =Stars, Cars and Infamy  
 | publisher =MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company 
 | year =2003 
 | location =St. Paul, MN USA 
 | page =176 
 | chapter = Noble Failures, Missed Opportunities 
 | chapter-url =https://books.google.com/books?id=MbMjZq-UwqsC&q=Daimler+Mk+X+MIRA&pg=PA176 
 | isbn = 0-7603-1687-2
 }}
*{{cite book
| last          = Clew
| first         = Jeff
| title         = Edward Turner: The Man Behind the Motorcycles
| url           = https://books.google.com/books?id=Yi4sPHUiTiUC&q=Daimler+V8+engine+specifications+-Benz
| access-date    = 2012-06-17
| edition       = revised
| date          = 2007-02-01
| publisher     = Veloce Publishing 
| isbn          = 978-1-8458-4065-5
| page          = 82
| quote         = He was already one jump ahead and had decided the engine would have its valve gear operated by push rods rather than by overhead camshafts! By following this route the engine would be cheaper to manufacture and he could introduce motorcycle engine practice when designing the cylinder head, drawing from experience acquired from his Thunderbird engine.
}}
*{{Cite book 
|last1= Douglas-Scott-Montagu
|first1= Edward John Barrington
|author-link1= Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu
|last2= Burgess-Wise
|first2= David
|author-link2= David Burgess-Wise 
|name-list-style= amp 
|others= Foreword by [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|HRH The Duke of Edinburgh]]
|year= 1995
|title= Daimler Century: The full history of Britain's oldest car maker
|chapter= Chapter 9—Under New Management
|pages= 271–294
|location= Sparkford, Nr Yeovil, Somerset, UK
|publisher= Patrick Stephens
|isbn= 1-85260-494-8
}}
*{{Cite web
|last= Langlois
|first= Andre
|url= http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/father-son-revive-world-record-breaking-6649967
|title= Father and son to revive world record-breaking race car
|website=getSURREY
|date= 4 February 2014
|publisher= Trinity Mirror Southern
|url-status= live
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140330175926/http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/father-son-revive-world-record-breaking-6649967
|archive-date= 30 March 2014
}}
*{{cite book
| last          = Long
| first         = Brian
| title         = Daimler V8 S.P. 250
| url           = https://books.google.com/books?id=q-szAOIfjBoC&q=Edward+Turner+Daimler+V8
| access-date    = 2012-06-17
| edition       = 2nd, revised
| series        = Classic Reprint
| date          = 2008-01-15
| publisher     = Veloce Publishing
| isbn          = 978-1-9047-8877-5
| pages         = 19–23
}}
*{{Cite book
|last= Smith
|first= Brian E.
|title= The Daimler Tradition
|url= {{Google books|MP5TAAAAMAAJ|The Daimler Tradition|plainurl=yes}}
|publisher= Transport Bookman
|location= Isleworth, UK
|year= 1972
|isbn= 085184-004-3
}}

==External links==
* {{YouTube|id=m8mFGlhR7SI|title=DAIMLER 250 V8}} &ndash; showing a running Daimler 2½-litre engine
* {{YouTube|id=M5fLnIWNxu8|title=v8 4.5 daimler startup}} &ndash; showing a running (and backfiring) Daimler 4½-litre engine

[[Category:Daimler engines|V8]]
[[Category:V8 engines]]