Taft-Peirce (Lougheed)
This engine was designed by Victor Lougheed, elder brother to Allan and Malcolm Loughead, founders of the Lockheed Aircraft Company. Lougheed designed and built the engine in 1911 and the Taft-Peirce Manufacturing Company of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, manufactured it. It was made almost entirely of Krupp chrome nickel steel at a cost of $15,000, the crankcase and cylinders being turned from solid billets weighing approximately 908 kg (2,000 lb.)
Fuel and lubrication were forced into the cylinders through bypasses in the sides of the cylinders and pistons. The multiple system of poppet valves, of which there were six in the head of each power-producing cylinder, provided for excellent and rapid scavenging of combustion gases. The eight air pumps, projecting from the lower part of the crankcase, maintained in the crankcase at all times a compression of air which was expelled through the cylinders on the exhaust stroke, and assisted in keeping the cylinders cool.
Gift of Frederick S. Blackall, Jr., President and Treasurer, Taft-Peirce Manufacturing Company.
Date: 1911
Country of Origin: United States of America
Physical Description:
Type: V-8, 2-stroke cycle, air-cooled
Power: 45 kw (60 hp) at 3,500 rpm estimated (engine never ran)
Displacement: 2.3 liters (140 cu in)
Weight: 37 kg (81 lb)
Weight-to-Power Ratio: 0.82 kg/kw (1.35 lb/hp)
Eight power producing pistons on top of the crankcase and eight piston air compressors on the lower side of the case.
Missing 1 piston air compressor assembly; Has 6 valves/cylinder; Has propeller hub; On stand.
