O.T. Flatheads Return?

[Anonymous-0]

Friend in St. Louis called to tell me that he bought a new Tahoe and it has a fuel injected in-line six that is a flathead engine. Claims he gets 23 MPG.
Is he simply telling a fib or is this for real? It seems like there could be something to it. (It also may show how out of touch I am)

 

[DavidO]

The only two engine options shown on the 2008 Tahoe Build and Price website are the 4.8 and 5.3 L V8 Vortec engines. I do not believe that they are flatheads.

 

[Too Tall]

I see 4 options on Chevy’s page:
1) Vortec 4.8L V8 (2WD model only)
2) Vortec 5.3L V8 with Active Fuel Management™ (2WD models only)
3) Vortec 5.3L V8 with Active Fuel Management™ and E85 FlexFuel capability2
4) Vortec 6.0L V8 with Active Fuel Management™
http://www.chevrolet.com/tahoe/features/

Doesn’t look like it’s available with a 6 cyl option.

I’m disappointed not to see a diesel, but that’s another story…

TooTall

 

[JMOR]

FAThead would be a better description for modern ohv engine. They aren't exactly slim.

I don't expect to see flathead resurrected, it was only a stepping stone to a better way. Great nostalgia though.

 

[JOHN HUNT]

all I know my 1947 1/2 chevy pickup had a 216 motor no flathead 5 peice window 4 speed crash box,I had all paper work on from the first owner it went for 0 mph to 55 mph in three day. I drove for about 200,000 mile plus mile at 18 mpg and the six volt headlight suck. than at a job site some guy as me to sell too him .I got a nice shinny penny for it. it stll on road too ... those where when truck was truck !!!!
" this should give yoou a big hint "

 

[PhilipIN]

Your friend does not know engines, maybe not even trucks. The Envoy and Trailblazer is available with a 4.2 liter inline six. This engine has dual over head cam arrangement. Definetly not a flat head. I only know because my last two rentals while traveling were Envoy's. I liked the engine, very smooth, but did not feel any where near 285 hp and 276 tq. Philip.

 

[Dean]

Jim:

I agree with Philip: Your friend does not know his engines.

The flathead design is suitable only for some lawnmowers in todays market.

The flathead combustion chamber design limits the practical compression ratio to about 7.5:1, far too low for the demands of todays automotive market.

Dean

 

[D Squared]

Flat heads are leaving us. I had to get a new motor for my log splitter and Briggs and Stratton is phasing out flat heads. The only thig you can get is something like 4HP and less. I suspect they are on borrowed time. My problem is that the new OHVs are 15.5 inches wide and my "hole" is 14 inches. I have to get a plate made to move the motor out of the hole.

 

[Stockdale Dave]

I believe your buddy has a Trailblazer...they have the long I-6 engine but it is not a flathead.

 

[Leemo]

He's confused.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I find that hard to believe. Why would anybody, in this day of $3.00+ gas prices, go back to a inefficient flat head engine? I think your friend is confused. It"s probably a 300 cu in/5L OHV engine.