Just when you think you have seen everything......

[Jim Breazeale]

This shows up. A oil pump driven, 383 Distributor. Something tells me, it was a fail.

Ciao

Jim

[Craig Richter]

Early attempt at a double-plug?

[Jim Breazeale]

Early attempt at a double-plug?

Your guess is better than mine

[Harlan Halsey]

Jim,
I note that the cover is dowelled. I bet it worked fine.
I probably would have modified one of the stock aluminum covers, but not everybody has the TIG capability we do now.
Could the application been 36 HP VW based?

[Jim Breazeale]

Jim,
I note that the cover is dowelled. I bet it worked fine.
I probably would have modified one of the stock aluminum covers, but not everybody has the TIG capability we do now.
Could the application been 36 HP VW based?

That is entirely possible but was probably Porsche based, knowing the shop (Don and Reinhardt's in Berkeley) that this came from.

Regards

Jim

[Jim Breazeale]

Early attempt at a double-plug?

Craig is the winner. I just started to prepare a 53 motor that came from the shop to run and ran into a snag. I pulled the head off to look for debris in the cylinder when I discovered this. I don't think I will be starting this motor any time soon.

Jim

[David Jones]

Jim, you do now have a use for the oil pump driven distributor.

[John Brooks]

That's a 678/4 airplane engine. Or might even be from a ARMY troop lifer from the early 50's

[Martin Benade]

Was that a specific casting for the dual plugs? The fins don’t look like they were cut for the plug.

[Jim Breazeale]

That's a 678/4 airplane engine. Or might even be from a ARMY troop lifer from the early 50's

Sorry, it's a plain old car motor # P - 31085

Ciao

Jim

[Jim Breazeale]

Was that a specific casting for the dual plugs? The fins don’t look like they were cut for the plug.

They were definitely cut for the plugs. They were rounded off to relieve stress points, I suppose. Could have been done by the best machine shop on the planet for Porsches back in the day, Lukes and Shorman. Don and Reinhardt's and Lukes and Shorman were only about mile and a half from each other.
I just wish I knew for sure.

Jim

[Trevor Gates]

Early attempt at a double-plug?

Craig is the winner.

Of course, he’s been doing these 356 hotrod tricks forever! He wrote the book, literally!!!

[Craig Richter]

Thanks Trevor... I've been trying to live that down for over 40 years now. Lukes and Shorman, now they were some talented guys from years back!

[Richard Emerson]

That’s a museum piece! Any more history on the car or the races?

[William Block]

From my registry
'53/'53 356 Reutter coupe #51009
546 P-31085*
519 1875
black/upholstery/carpet/headliner
Sonderausführung:
Built del
?, location?; ex Umberto Compiano, ITALY
Nov 16, project-546 P-31737*, sold (RM/SOTHBY Auction Milan, ITALY/356 REGISTRY 40/6)