TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 4/25/2024

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Continental or Chrysler engine, which is it?

 

Numerous tractor manufacturers, both large and small, utilized engines from Continental or Chrysler to power their tractor. Both were strong reliable powerhouses and much more affordable than producing one’s own engine.

In 1905, Continental Motors was born with the introduction of a four-cylinder, four stroke cycle L-head engine. The Continental engine proved itself to be durable and reliable and became the choice of many smaller manufacturers of tractors, pumps, electrical generator sets and even some very prestigious automobiles such as the Peerless.

Some models of Allis-Chalmers, Case, Ferguson, Farmall, Massey-Harris, Oliver and Silver King tractors utilized Continental engines as did over one hundred early automobile manufacturers. Some models used Continental engines for only part of their production lifespan; others used them exclusively.

East of the Mississippi, tractor manufacturers such as Co-op, Lehr, Custom, Love, Friday, and Massey-Harris produced tractors using Chrysler industrial engines and drivetrains. Canadian tractors like Rockol, Norseman and Regal also adopted these components for tractors sold north of the border. This was also the case west of the Mississippi, with manufacturers such as OMC, Simpson Jumbo, Wards and Big Boy.

Massey-Harris leveraged the reputation of Chrysler's rugged industrial inline engines when it rolled out the versatile 101 in 1938: "Six-cylinder smoothness pre-proven in over 1,000,000 motors," early advertisements for the 101 boasted.

Not only did consumers recognize that their tractors were powered by one of the world's most proven engines, but parts and service for these engines were as close as the nearest Chrysler dealership. As a nice fringe benefit, since electric starters were standard equipment on automobiles, six-cylinder equipped Massey-Harris tractors were among the first to roll out this feature. Furthermore, the company could boast about the availability of a six-cylinder when most tractors were powered by inline-fours and John Deere was clinging to its Johnny popping two-cylinders.

The Chrysler engine also offered reduced oil consumption over some tractor engines: Massey-Harris literature boasted that operators of its Chrysler-powered 101s could save as much as $50 annually in reduced oil costs. Of course, being an automobile engine, the Chrysler also boasted a full-pressure oiling system and full-cylinder-length water jackets, as well as a state-of-the-art water pump.

The Continental and Chrysler engines were used in many tractors and they look very similar. What is an easy way to tell the difference between the two? The Continental’s distributor (left) comes out the top of the engine and the Chrysler ‘s  (right) distributor’s located on the lefty side of the engine block. So, the next time you are at a tractor show and spot a flathead engine like the ones pictured below you can impress your friends by just glancing at the engine and being able to tell if it is a Continental or a Chrysler.