Tom Hoover, "Godfather of the 426 Hemi," Dies at 85

Chrysler introduced their first hemi V8 in 1951. They developed it based on experience they had developing a WWII aviation engine. Tom Hoover adapted the old Chrysler hemi head design to the then-current big block in the '60s. I have no idea why a man's passing inspires you to make up history and spread ignorance.

@CJinSD, It appears hemispherical combustion chamber were originally used in early artillery and had been adapted quickly into the automobile at the turn of the 20th Century. The hemispherical combustion chamber appears to be a European idea, created by the ever challenging goals of producing better weapons. The idea is military. FCA owning Chrysler seems to be almost like "two peas in pod". FCA had this well before radial aircraft engines were ever made. Fiat was one of the first to use this technology. Hoover used existing technology and adapted it to the V8. The Fiat 130 The project was entrusted to John Henry as the project manager who had previously worked as a co-designer on an earlier 100 horsepower racer in 1905. He developed the 130 HP while working with designer Giovanni Enrico and technical directors Guido Fornaca and Carlo Cavalli. The new design featured a chain drive transmission and a front-mounted 4-cylinder, 16,286 cc engine. The new engine incorporated multiple innovations for its time, including a bore greater than the stroke, overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chambers and centrally located spark plugs. The ignition for the 130 HP was provided by a Simms-Bosch magneto, while the power was controlled by a single carburetor. Despite the weight of more than 1000 kg (each piston had a weight of 4.5 kg) the wheels were still made of wood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_130_HP

@Big Al from Oz Hoover adapted existing Chrysler V8 hemi cylinder heads to a newer V8 short block. Nobody claims he's the inventor of hemispherical heads, and he didn't even create the ones used by Chrysler. He ran a development program that produced lots of successful competition engines. That's cool in itself, and no reason for you to launch into your alternate reality world of misinformation.

@CJinSD, I didn't. You had made the "come back". I originally thought that Ferdinand was one of the first to successfully adopt the hemispherical combustion chamber. But, I have found out otherwise. As for the Hemi Engine, it was a good engine for it's time. I had not stated otherwise. Maybe you might have the issues, not I. You seem extremely sensitive to any comment regarding the US. To make you feel better the US is great country that had allowed itself to expand as it has. But, look outside of South Dakota. The world is an amazing place.

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@Ron B, I do agree the good old Top Fueler Hemi's are generating some awesome power. But, the reason for this is partly due to the politics of the NHRA with it's very strict regulations on any opposing engine other than the Keith Black style Hemis entering into competition. The McGee engine was too successful against the Hemi's on the dragstrip and were banished from competing in any sanctioned NHRA event. The Hemis current success is partly artificial as no other engine is allowed to compete against them. This is great for the progress of the sport. Not. Here's a cut and paste and some links. "Australian brothers Phil and Chris McGee developed their own nitro racing engine. The pair dared to be different, coming up with the McGee Quad Overhead Cam design. The team began in the 1970s, redoing and refining the effort over the next 20 years until the the motor and others like it were banned from NHRA competition." http://www.draglist.com/artman2/publish/photo_review/The_McGee_Top_Fueler_In_Photos.shtml http://www.mcgeecams.com/history.html

@Big Al from Oz So this isn't about taking the U.S. down a peg and expressing your own nationalism, eh? To be honest, drag racing outside the U.S. doesn't get the kind of attention here that other overseas motorsports do (eg. the Australian Touring Car Championship and the Bathurst events), but there are plenty of straight line speed fans in Europe, Australia and elsewhere.

@Ronnie, Really? I was involved in the drag racing scene back in the early 80s. Then turned my attention towards Rallying. We used to run an HQ van that pulled low 12s with BF Goodrich T/As, not drag rubber. The vehicle weighed 3 200lbs. My biggest bitch was diff centres. We ran a Salibury and want a Ford 9". We became very good at rebuilding diffs. The original engine a 308 90 degree, bent 8 came out of a Pro Stocker of that era, a Torana. If you don't know the Aussie GMH V8s were quite poor in performance. Much work was needed to get the engine up to that. At the time it was supposed to of been the quick Aussie NA registered van racing. This was a good effort. The Chevs, Hemi's and Fords of the time were a better and cheaper option to develop as racing engines. This was due to the fact the US V8s were built in far larger numbers. I do like the Keith Black powered Top Fuelers and Funny Cars. I haven't ever stated otherwise. I actually live about 3 miles from Willowbank. Google that and the WinterNats. I would say outside of NA, drag racing, speedway, etc Australia would draw it's largest market. My first experience of motor racing was back in the late 70s when I used to go to the Speedway and watch the Sprint cars. Even back then as now it's is the Aussie vs the US. I liked clay racing better than bitumen tracks. The clay and smell of the methanol stinging your eyes with the roar of the V8s. Great stuff. Maybe TTAC should come down under and experience all we have to offer with motor vehicles. If you haven't noticed my comments that are viewed as pro or anti whatever, target the ones who can't see the light outside of their own front door. Essentially if they put up a challenge and they are talking through their asses I will correct them, with fact. The US has done a great amount for the global vehicle industry. But, let's be realistic about it's actual impact has been. What I put forward isn't a lie as I do research my comments. Yes, some of it can be construed as chest beating, but that is by the few on TTAC.