Elephant

[twodko]

Where did the term "elephant" referring to 426 motors come from? Was it simply an off the cuff nickname given to these huge engines?

[Topher]

The early motor mounts resembled Elephant Ears, I think that's where the term got associated with the engine.

[68X426]

It's the nickname for the size of the heads. Sticking up and out like an elephant's head and ears.

[68X426]

Here's a herd of Hemis at the watering hole, sucking up gasoline.

[Ghoste]

I always thought it was just a nickname because of the overall size.  It's big and doesn't fear anything else in the jungle.

[DC_1]

I always thought it was just a nickname because of the overall size.  It's big and doesn't fear anything else in the jungle.

It might not fear anything else in the jungle but it sure doesn't represent the fastest animal known to man!

[Brock Samson]

I'm not sure where or when - but, the Chevy SB was called the mouse motor alot back in the '60s,.. alot of folks ran them till the BB's came out in 65 or so with the 396/427 that was sometimes called the Rat Motor,..  I belive there were popular myths among the chevy guys that the Mouse that could scare an Elephant,..   that was about the time the Elephant name began to be used for the 426HEMI. Fords big Motor was sometimes called the 427 Side Oiler but I'm old and what do I know?..  

  google is yur friend... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Hemi_engine

  "the engine became legendary, with "Hemi" becoming one of the most familiar automobile-related words in the United States. The 426 Hemi was nicknamed the "elephant engine"[citation needed] at the time, a reference to its large dimensions and weight. Tipping the scales at a dry weight of 843 lb (382 kg), the 426 Hemi was considerably more massive than other engines of the era, such as the Ford 427 at 650 lb (290 kg) and the Chevrolet Big Block at 685 lb".

[Brock Samson]

 hey Kids: Just out of curiousity -
Anyone have the weights of Engines,.. Fully dressed?.. I know we estimated my fresh Six-Pack 446 @ Approx. 500 LB. and now seeing the figures in the above article and recently reading about fords NEW aluminum 427 being 100 Lbs lighter then the old (2009) one it's got me to wondering... 

[John_Kunkel]

The trend of naming motors after animals started with the 396 Chevy whose canted valves looked like rat's whiskers thus it was the Rat Motor; since the small block was smaller it became the Mouse Motor. I know some disagree but I remember the Rat before the Mouse.

I believed the Elephant reference was due to its huge external appearance and, because Elephant Motor was already used, the early Hemi became the Whale Motor.

[twodko]

Fascinating info guys, thanks! Brock I remember Ford BB's referred to as "side oilers" and BB Chevy's as "rat" motors too. Kinda glad I grew up in the era I did..........real metal or cardboard oil cans, gas station attendants to clean the windshield and check the oil and so on. I'm old too Brock........no worries.

[tan top]

The trend of naming motors after animals started with the 396 Chevy whose canted valves looked like rat's whiskers thus it was the Rat Motor; since the small block was smaller it became the Mouse Motor. I know some disagree but I remember the Rat before the Mouse.

I believed the Elephant reference was due to its huge external appearance and, because Elephant Motor was already used, the early Hemi became the Whale Motor.

intresting  info , never knew rat bb chebby ,  got its name like that
yep elephant  got its name by its size  , yep early  354 /392 hemi whale motors  ,  always wondered how that come about , thought it was  because it was normally found in big chryslers  , liking to C-bodys  nicked named boats or land yachts

[68X426]

Anyone have the weights of Engines,..

Brock, today my Elephant weighs in at 610 pounds vs. the stock 843#. This according to the engine builder. Due to all the aluminum and steel alloys used, especially the huge savings over the cast iron heads.

Still an Elephant even with the diet.

[Brock Samson]

Fascinating info guys, thanks! Brock I remember Ford BB's referred to as "side oilers" and BB Chevy's as "rat" motors too. Kinda glad I grew up in the era I did..........real metal or cardboard oil cans, gas station attendants to clean the windshield and check the oil and so on. I'm old too Brock........no worries.

well,.. at least you know how to spell "too"...  freakin' kids today!

[chargd72]

hey Kids: Just out of curiousity -
Anyone have the weights of Engines

Don't know how accurate this list is but it might help.

http://fixrambler.com/engineweightchart.txt

[68X426]

http://fixrambler.com/engineweightchart.txt

From the list: Chrysler M4 tank engine 5,244 pounds, 30 cyl, 5 banks of 6, flathead, WWII

Yeah that's just a bit bigger than a Hemi. 

[twodko]

Misspellings and bad grammar are a pet peeve of mine. I'm also a big fan of spell check tools. How can it get any easier to correct spelling errors?!