The Liberty L-8 (also known as the Packard 1A-1100) was a prototype of the Liberty L-12 engine designed by Jesse Vincent and Elbert Hall. Fifteen L-8 prototypes were manufactured by several companies including Buick, Ford, Lincoln, Marmon, and Packard in 1917.[1][2] The first of those built now resides in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., while fifteenth L-8 (the only running example) powers Liberty the Second housed by the Conneaut Lake Historical Society in Conneaut Lake, PA.[3] Another L-8 is stored at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, OH.[4]

Liberty L-8
First ever[citation needed] Liberty L-8 aircraft engine, on display at the National Air and Space Museum
Type	Piston aircraft engine
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Packard
Designed by	Jesse G. Vincent and Elbert J. Hall
First run	c. 1917
Variants	Liberty L-4, Liberty L-6, Liberty L-12

Specifications (Liberty L-8)

Data from National Air and Space Museum,

General characteristics

• Type: 8-cylinder, liquid-cooled Vee aircraft piston engine
• Bore: 5 in (127 mm)
• Stroke: 7 in (178 mm)
• Displacement: 1,099.6 cubic inches (18.0 l)
• Length: 57 inches (1,448 mm)
• Dry weight: 575 pounds (260.8 kg)

Components

• Valvetrain: One intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder, actuated via a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank.
• Cooling system: Liquid-cooled

Performance

• Power output: 290 hp (216 kW) at 1,700 rpm
• Specific power: 0.26 hp/in³ (11.9 kW/L)
• Power-to-weight ratio: 0.45 hp/lb (0.74 kW/kg)

See also

Comparable engines

• Benz Bz.IIIb

Related lists

• List of aircraft engines

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liberty L-8.

• "Liberty L-8 (Packard) V-8 Engine". Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Retrieved 1 January 2011.