Chrysler multi-bank

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Adrian and David..
Thanks for the info...Makes a lot more sense..but an engineering feat from necessity ,for sure..

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex Blair

but an engineering feat from necessity ,for sure..

Indeed; it was the fastest way to develop and manufacture an engine with enough power to propel the US Medium tank series. During the interbellum the US had no real funds to develop the tank concept (which had proven itself during WW1) and its components. So when WW2 broke out, the only available powerplants in the applicable power band were radial aero engines, but those were needed for aircraft manufacture. Hence the use of five truck engines, two diesel marine engines, and a V12 aero engine cut down to V8 to drive tanks.

- Hanno

[Paul Singleton]

Originally Posted by Alex Blair

Adrian and David..
Thanks for the info...Makes a lot more sense..but an engineering feat from necessity ,for sure..

I agree. The Germans used purpose built engines for their tanks and I have read that due to the complexity of the engines they were hard to maintain and parts were scarce.
The Chrysler engine was a common engine and many parts would have been shared with the Dodge trucks in use at the time. The mechanics doing repairs in the field also would find them similar to automotive engines. The Detroit diesels and the radial engines may not have been as reliable but that may have been due to the lack of experience of the men working on them.

Paul

P.S. Thanks to the moderator for fixing my post.

[Bob Cohoon]

I read in a book that one of the nicknames affectionately for this set-up was the "eggbeater". Apparently they were a very reliable powerplant, and filled the bill for a tank engine during a period of urgency.