Over on the CheyTalk forum they're taking a stab at identifing this engine and what the rod may be.Most say it's at least a 12 port something,(261?) and maybe a Bonneville car.Everybody is confused by the large lower right side pulley.Any guesses?
http://www.boomspeed.com/sunking1/carhotrodengine.jpg

Dear Drew;

It's hard to tell, perhaps.

The large pulley appears to be a water pump as the orginal is blocked and It's conected to where the thermostat housing went stock.

There's no front brakes so I don't think a lakes roadster.

It will interesting to see the other comments.

John M., #3370...

I Personal DON'T Think It is a GM anything.I think it maybe a Ford????. GM Doesn't Have a cross flow HEAD.

#3220 }[oooooo]

A 'forign' engine is possible, carbs look British.

However; I think most thought it an early Wayne head.

JM

That appears to be a Chevy with a Wayne 12 Port head. Special timing gear cover/drive assy, I dunno, but I'm sure if this photo was in the 12 Port News, many folks could tell you who owned the thing. I'll ask around.

Larry, you could be right since the chassis to me is very much an early Ford style with a dropped front axle. And Jim I hadn't noticed the "no front brakes", something like a drag rail type. How about the valve cover? Chevy style, but did they fit Fords too? It sure would be nice if somebody recognized this rod.

HiTork is correct, this is a Wayne Chevy motor. While the distinctive valve cover is a hint, the front cover is the big clue. The front cover was cast by Harry Warner at Wayne Mfg. to drive 1/2 speed accessories, most often the Hilborn fuel injection pump. It was also used to drive oil scavenge pumps and featured an idler pulley to route the belt around which ever accessory. If you look carefully, one can detect the hole into which the shaft for the idler pulley was normally placed. For this installation the 1/2 speed accessory looks like the ignition. The plug wires are routed up to the driver side of the motor where the plugs were located under the log intake manifold.The carbs might be Stromberg 94 or 97's with that float bowl shape. The lack of front brakes would not be unusual for a drag race car, track roadster or straighaway car of that era & the center steering box was probably an early Schroeder, Ross or maybe Franklin. Neat photo!!

Greetings . . .

What is throwing me when I look at this picture is the round water-neck like elbow fitting on the front of the head - it seems to be plumbed to a dry sump? The stock water pump looks like it is still there - driven by a separate belt on a pully in front of the larger pulley on the right.

But the usual water jacket opening - the slit just below the valve cover - doesn't appear to be plumbed at all.

As for the front cover, it looks almost purpose built for what is apparently a magneto. It looks like there's even an enclosed channel for the plug wires, including a flexible sheath running up to the head.

curious.

stock49

Back in "those days" Wayne & Harry tried a lot of things, they even built an 'Indy' car in 1954.

This could have been a car one of their friends had/built in Burbank in that era.

JM.

Thanks for all these responses and the history lesson. I reposted Ron's info over at the Chevy Forum and they were appreciative of your responses.