The engine was an overhead valve design and the only all-aluminium engine produced in Australia.

The popularity of V8 engines in cars was greatly increased following the 1932 introduction of the Ford Flathead V8.

This angle results in good engine balance, which results in low vibrations; however, the downside is a larger width than V8 engines that use a smaller V-angle.

The Ford engine used a 60 degree V-angle because it was based on a V6 engine with a 60 degree V-angle.

Both the Ford and Volvo engines were used in transverse engine chassis, which were designed for a front-wheel-drive layout (with on-demand all-wheel drive system in the case of the Volvos).

The Rolls-Royce Meteorite tank engine also used a 60 degree V-angle, since it was derived from the 60 degree Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 engine.

The Lancia Trikappa, Lancia Dilambda, and Lancia Astura, produced 19221939, used narrow angle V8 engines (based on the Lancia V4 engine ) with V-angles of 1424 degrees.

The 1932 Miller four-wheel drive racing cars used a V8 engine with a V-angle of 45 degrees.

The 8-cylinder versions of the 19451966 EMD 567 diesel locomotive engine also used a V-angle of 45 degrees.

A typical firing order of L-R-L-L-R-L-R-R (or R-L-R-R-L-R-L-L) results in uneven intake and exhaust pulse spacing for each bank.

When separate exhaust systems are used for each bank of cylinders, this uneven pulsing results in the rumbling sound that is typically associated with V8 engines.

However, racing engines seek to avoid these uneven exhaust pressure pulses, in order to maximise the power output.

In order to link the exhaust systems from each bank (to provide even exhaust gas pulses), 1960s cross-plane V8 racing engines have either used long primary exhaust pipes (such as the Ford GT40 endurance racing car) or located the exhaust ports on the inside of the V-angle (such as the Lotus 38 IndyCar).

Mechanically, the crankshaft can be machined from a flat billet and does not require counterweights so it is lighter.

However, it produces more vibration due to a secondary imbalance.

This engine was used by American, French, and British military aircraft in World War One.

It is estimated that approximately half of all Allied aircraft were powered by the Hispano-Suiza 8 engine.

The displacement of modern V8 engines is typically between 3.5 to 6.0 L (214 to 366 cu in), though larger and smaller examples have been produced, such as the 8.2 L (500 cu in) V8 engine used in the 19711978 Cadillac Eldorado.

However, V8 engines have also occasionally been used in transverse engine front-wheel drive vehicles, sometimes using closer cylinder bore spacings and narrower cylinder bank angles to reduce their space requirements.

The first locally designed V8 Ford was the 1966 Ford Falcon (XR) and the first V8 Holden was the 1968 Holden HK, both using engines supplied by their parent companies in the United States.

The Holden V8 engine was used in various models including the Kingswood, Monaro, Torana, Commodore, and Statesman.

Versions tuned for higher performance were sold by Holden Dealer Team and Holden Special Vehicles, including versions stroked to up to 5.7 L (350 cu in).

The Holden V8 engine was also used in touring car racing and formed the basis of the Repco-Holden engined used in Formula 5000 racing.

In 1999, the Holden V8 engine began to be replaced by the imported General Motors LS1 V8 engine.

The engine was produced in displacements of 4.9 L (302 cu in) and 5.8 L (351 cu in) for use in the Australian Ford Falcon and Ford Fairlane models.

It was also used in several low-volume DeTomaso sports cars and luxury sedans built in Italy.

Australian production ceased in 1982 when Ford Australia temporarily ceased production of V8 cars.

From 1991 to 2016, the Ford Falcon was available with the imported Ford Windsor, Ford Barra or Ford Modular V8 engines; the latter were marketed as Boss and locally assembled from a mix of imported and local parts.

4.7 Engine Exploded View