Lampredi Ferrari V12 - Fixed Heads?!?!

[griffter]

Somebody help me!

I read this morning in Classic and Sportscar about the Lampredi V12 Ferrari engine having 'fixed heads'. Eh? How does that work? How are valve seats cut, and valves inserted/removed? Presumably with considerable restrictions on valve angle?

Another reference here:

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.asp...

Scroll down for English under 'Model History':

"The engine, naturally, was a V12 and was a development of the original Colombo-style engine, having detachable heads. The Lampredi 'Big block' V12s had fixed heads."

Any links to further information or a constructional diagram would be welcome! (or offers to view an engine in the metal )

[jsg612]

More than likely fit the valves from the bottom of the bore, before putting in the pistons, rods and crank. Saves the issue of a head gasket.

[5Valve]

If I recall correctly the Block/Head casting sits on a separate crankcase which contains the crank assembly. Some of the engines had "screwed in" liners, which meant easier access to the valve seat areas. The liners were obviously fully machined, negating any problems that might occur with 'core shift' when pouring the castings out.
If you delve into Ferrari's history, 1940's through the 1950's, just about every concievable type of engine design/construction was tried out by Lampredi and Columbo in an effort to keep the competition at bay.

(As an aside, if you remember the Leyland National single deck bus, they were originally fitted with what was called the "Headless Wonder" diesel engine. It made the head gasket redundant but thats about as good as it got.)

[5Valve]

Just had a eureka moment. Karl Ludvigsens book 'The V12 Engine' has some detail on the Ferrari engines both by Columbo and Lampredi, including some drawings and photos. Haynes is the publisher, circa £40.00!

[Barbarossa]

The Hart turbo F1 engines in the early 80s were monoblock. A solution to head gasket problems in engines running very high boost pressures.