Good news america!!

[Nashwan]

heard the packard engines didn't foul plugs so bad.

They were actually somewhat worse.

The RAF ran their RR Merlins on 150 octane fuel until the end of the war, at 25 lbs sq in manifold pressure. They tried the same with their Packard Merlins, and stopped before the end of the war because of problems. The USAAF also discontinued the use of 150 octane because of engine trouble.

and

"The Merlin ignition systems were sometimes troublesome. THe magnetos or wiring were occasionally the culprits, but usually, it was just the spark plugs. Rough engines were comme during preflight and flight. At least one source of the problem was the highly leaded fuel that was used, especially late in the war when 150 grade fuel was tried for a while. Sometimes the fouling could be burned off the plugs by going to higher power settings; this would cause the engine to smooth out. If this didn't work, however, a plug change was called for. British spark plugs gave the best service, but even they seldom held up for more thant 15 or 20 hours. The exhaust plugs were no problem to change, as they were on the outside of the cylinder banks, but the intake plugs were difficult to get to - especially on a hot engine."

Source :
A crew chief remembers by Merle Olmsted, "P 51 Mustang action !" page 35, Summer 2002 special issue of Flight Journal

There is more, they seemed to have timing problems as well with the Packards that they didn't get with the RR Merlins.

[Chortle]

The P51 was designed by a German, so really the only US contribution was a dodgy engine and a couple of sharp pencils.

[ASTAC]

Originally posted by lazs2
ahh... so the jag is just a Ford funded car that no longer uses british electrics or quality control and ... the cobra was really just an AC with a Ford engine?

we have cadillacs and trucks here with over 400 hp.

lazs

Jaguar Quality control? HA HA HA...before Ford took over Jaguar, they were nice looking expensive junk.

[Sandman]

...and now they're nice looking less expensive junk.

[ASTAC]

Originally posted by Sandman
...and now they're nice looking less expensive junk.

Actually their quality has gotten quite a bit better.

[2stony]

A crew chief remembers by Merle Olmsted

     I got to meet Merle Olmsted a couple of months ago when we had the 357th FG reunion here. He ran the panel discussion with five 357th pilots, one of which was Bud Anderson.

[Roscoroo]

Originally posted by Nashwan
The Americans have always made pretty good engines. Crap chassis though

Actually there was some really cool chassis done back in the early 60's  
64 thunderbolt /galaxy 500  comes to mind were above 60 the car would lower and the front camber would change .. that was always a neet chassis .

the Gm A-body chassis was really good with a few mods also .
(1 3/8ths front, 1 in rear bars, adj shocks , and a little scaling can make them corner hard enough to lose the oil pressure . btdt)

Ferrari chassis is impressive in its adjustability, but its not really a thing of beauty (talk about a cobbled together looking thing)

the Bmw and Datsun Z cars have a nice unibody for the camber plate/sway bar mods and can be turned into rocketships on rails .

[Staga]

Originally posted by lazs2

Ford saved jag because jag couldn't buiild a dependable automobile to save their life.  


lazs

Guess same happened to Chrysler too  

[lazs2]

I don't think the dependability of chrysler was ever an issue.

with standard octane fuel the packard built merlin was easier on plugs.   british electrics have allways been "troublesome".

A lot of what makes the U.S. great is because of the immigrants...  we take the really good ones (along with some bad) and leave you guys the ones to frieghtened to leave home.

lazs

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by lazs2
ahh... so the jag is just a Ford funded car that no longer uses british electrics or quality control and ... the cobra was really just an AC with a Ford engine?

we have cadillacs and trucks here with over 400 hp.

lazs

I'll refrain from embarassing you on that "truck thing".   The trucks you mention are useless, trucks were meant to haul things in the bed.   The Cadillac CTS-V is THE ONLY Caddy that has over 400hp.

Karaya

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by lazs2
I don't think the dependability of chrysler was ever an issue.

with standard octane fuel the packard built merlin was easier on plugs.   british electrics have allways been "troublesome".

A lot of what makes the U.S. great is because of the immigrants...  we take the really good ones (along with some bad) and leave you guys the ones to frieghtened to leave home.

lazs

I've four wheeled WAY TOO MANY times with "Ram Tough" trannies. Try it sometime, Dodge transmissions suck. The funnier thing is watching Rams get lifted with the cheap Front Axle, 33" or higher, give it time, get off camber, SNAP!!

The Series II Land Rover Discoveries are British wiring and addressed the electrical aspect.  The Jaguar XK is the biggest POS, my buddy was test driving one, the harness went at 27.9 miles. He called the salesman and had the salesman get the tow truck.

I'd take a Lotus Esprit V-8 over ANY American produced ride.

Karaya

[Masherbrum]

The Viper is a piece of garbage.  Then again, anything DCX makes is.  

This comment in NO WAY is directed towards the REAL Mercedes.  AMG always was, and will be a kick arse company.  

Karaya

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by Furball
http://www.1gracing.com/

The mighty Noble is available there now

 

http://www.1gracing.com/images/top-gear-new-1.avi

Furry, the M12 is $57,000 for the chassis and body.  Around $80,000 with the Ford V-6.   They are out of Ohio I believe.  Automobile magainze had a write up on it a few months back.

Karaya

[lazs2]

If your gonna have a truck you might as well have HP.

viper a piece of junk?  seems to be a lot of bang for the buck to me.

the rover V8 is a buick 215 that was made in 1964.

I don't trust any british car.

lotus engines in jensen healeys were "toublesome".

I have not heard that there was a dependability problem with chrysler products.  

I have no interest in 4 wheel drive off road.

lazs

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by lazs2
If your gonna have a truck you might as well have HP.

viper a piece of junk?  seems to be a lot of bang for the buck to me.

the rover V8 is a buick 215 that was made in 1964.

I don't trust any british car.

lotus engines in jensen healeys were "toublesome".

I have not heard that there was a dependability problem with chrysler products.  

I have no interest in 4 wheel drive off road.

lazs

Ok, let's speak about TODAY's rides.  Viper is an $82,000+ paperweight.   Bang for the Buck factor is the upcoming C6, or the previous Z06 (this is coming from a Ford person).  The Viper has always been a dog, always will be.  

You mean, you choose to forget about the Dodge trannies.  

I don't care if you have no interest in off-road, bottom line is, Dodge trucks blow chunks, still.  Even with the weak oil pan "Hemi's".  

You are obviously a Mopar person lazs, you simply choose to play dumb.  

Karaya