DIY heat treating

[oldfoneguy]

Oldphoneguy: Pacific Telesis about 40 years.

That Chrysler A57 once they got the carb situation and water pump situation fixed was not a bad engine. Heavy but it had to be almost like an electric dynamo with that many cylinders. The rumors I read about it were that if a few cylinders just checked out who cares? Anyone who's worked on those Chrysler sixes in Plymouth, DeSoto, Dodge and Chrysler cars can tell you they are bulletproof. Tiny carburetors that will not allow it to wreck a crank or blow up. 4 1/2" stroke, Inserts on the rods and cranks, cheap and easy to make. I'd say the 30 cylinder was anything but cheap and easy.

What was your job title Dave? I was a field tech that survived 3 incarnations of bell system. Nynex, Bell Atlantic and the worst of the worst Verizon. I started late, was in my 30's but still managed 24 years.

It wasn't a desirable power system and was incredibly difficult to service. Nobody was going to replace that engine in the field like they could with the radial aero engines. It was a long trip to a depot for any major servicing especially engine replacement. I remember reading some unkind comments from the British techs that worked on these things. These were guys that mostly cut their teeth on tiny little scooter or MG engines. Could you imagine the horror in their faces the first time they saw one of these massive 30 cylinder things.