Editing Cadillac V8 engine (section)

==L-head==
[[File:1915 Cadillac V8 engine (10793302453).jpg|thumb|left|Type 51, 1915]]
The '''Type 51''' was the first Cadillac V8. Introduced in 1914, it was the standard engine for 1915 Cadillac models. It was a 90° design with an L-head ([[sidevalve]]) configuration and was [[Radiator (engine cooling)|water-cooled]]. Bore and stroke was {{cvt|3.125x5.125|in|mm}}, for a total of {{cvt|314|cuin|L|1}} of displacement. Output was {{cvt|70|hp|kW|0}}.

This engine was designed under the leadership of Cadillac's chief engineer (1914–1917), Scottish-born D (D'Orsay) McCall White (1880 -), later a vice president of Cadillac.<ref>Cadillac puts White in Vice-Presidency, ''Automobile Topics'' October 13, 1917 Volume 47</ref> Hired by [[Henry M. Leland|Henry Leland]] for his V-engine expertise from his employment as chief engineer at [[Napier & Son|Napier]], and previously [[Daimler Company|Daimler]] at Coventry, he was later to move to [[Nash Motors|Nash]] with [[LaFayette Motors|LaFayette]]. White was appointed to a committee of three to supervise the development of the V12 [[Liberty L-12|Liberty aircraft motor]], that later contributed to cross town rival [[Lincoln Motor Company]] introducing the [[Lincoln L series]] much later in 1917.<ref>Derby, White, ed's,''The National Cyclopædia of American Biography:'' Volume 17 pp. 320-321 White & Co, New York, 1921</ref>

The engine was refined for 1923 with a [[crossplane]] [[crankshaft]] that introduced the (now standard) 90° offset for each pair of cylinders which improved balance and smoothness. Power was up to {{cvt|83.5|hp|kW}}.

The L-head was on the [[Ward's 10 Best Engines#20th Century|Ward's 10 Best Engines of the 20th century]] list.

L-head applications:
* [[Cadillac Type 51]]
* [[Cadillac Type 53]]
* [[Cadillac Type 55]]
* [[Cadillac Type 57]]
* [[Cadillac Type 59]]
* [[Cadillac Type 61]]
* [[Cadillac V-63]]
* [[Cadillac V-63#Series 314, 341 and 353 (1926-1930)|Cadillac Series 341]]
* [[Oldsmobile Light Eight]]

Cadillac created a new V8, the ''341'', for 1928. It was a {{cvt|341|cuin|L|1}} engine and produced {{cvt|90|hp|kW|0}}. The same year saw the introduction of the [[synchromesh]] transmission. This engine was used in the Series 341 and 341B cars of 1928 and 1929.

From 1930 through 1935, Cadillac produced a version with an increased displacement of {{cvt|353|cuin|L|1}}. This used a {{cvt|3.38x4.94|in|mm|1}} bore and stroke. This engine was used in the Cadillac Series 353 and [[Cadillac Series 355|Series 355]].