Here is some pictures and some information on the Chrysler A57 Multibank engine that was fitted into the M4A4, Sherman V.
From Wikipedia:
In order to use existing tooling, five Chrysler 250.6 in3 (4.12 litre; 3.4375" {87.3 mm} bore and 4.50" {114.3 mm} stroke)[1] L-head inline six cylinder engines were arranged around a central shaft, producing a unique 30 cylinder 21 litre (1253 in3)[1] engine in a relatively compact but heavy package. The crankshafts were fitted with gears, which drove a sun gear arrangement.[2] With iron block and head,[1] it featured Carter TD-1 carburetors[1] and 6.2:1 compression ratio,[1] for an output of 470 hp (350 kW) at 2400 rpm.[1] It necessitated a longer hull (same as the M4A6),[3] becoming the M4A4;[3] most of these were supplied to Allied countries under Lend-Lease.[3]
In a February 1944 advertisement on the magazine Popular Science, Chrysler claimed the A57 could still move the tank it was fitted in even if 12 out of its 30 cylinders were knocked out.[4]
Makes one wonder, in a moment of insanity, what would happen if you stripped the Hemi or 440 Six Pack out of the Mopar muscle machine of your choice and dropped this monster in... Machine the heads, fit higher compression pistons for 91 octane gas rather than the 80 octane of seventy years ago, fit a stand-alone fuel injection system... Ought to be good for 750hp easy, with torque enough to break dynos, to say nothing of axle shafts.
But for a few glorious minutes, wouldn't it be fun?
"You could probably use some armor. A Sherman can give you a very nice...edge!"
Makes one wonder, in a moment of insanity, what would happen if you stripped the Hemi or 440 Six Pack out of the Mopar muscle machine of your choice and dropped this monster in... Machine the heads, fit higher compression pistons for 91 octane gas rather than the 80 octane of seventy years ago, fit a stand-alone fuel injection system... Ought to be good for 750hp easy, with torque enough to break dynos, to say nothing of axle shafts.
But for a few glorious minutes, wouldn't it be fun?
Indeed they did! And the madness continues today. Ever heard of the Blastolene Special? Jay Leno owns it; it was built in Oregon. It's a fairly classic roadster hot-rod, but about twice as big as most with a huge long wheelbase. Power comes from an AVS-1790 twelve-cylinder tank engine from an M47 Patton. It's a monster, and gets about two miles to the gallon.
Not to hijack the thread, but perhaps crazier were the salt-flats speed record guys who took 150 gallon teardrop drop tanks, stuffed 'em full of flathead V8, and set land speed records. The aerodynamics were excellent in those pre-wind-tunnel days.
"You could probably use some armor. A Sherman can give you a very nice...edge!"