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Flathead might be OK in aircraft where a high premium is placed on lightweight and compact. Also aircraft engines can't be as "optimized" for peak power output as they are run full throttle for hours at a time; try that with an automotive engine and see how long it lasts. (Auto engines converted for aircraft use are often detuned and mated to gear reduction boxes.) The point being since aircraft engines can't use optimal compression ratios and power anyway, it's OK to compromise on those. Unfortunately flatheads have awful combustion chamber shapes vs hemi's or wedges so I'd expect some decrease in fuel efficiency.
They aren't coming back to automotive use.
Even the cheap little lawn and garden end of the ICE spectrum are all converting to OHV, right down to 21cc weed whips.
Last edited by Frank Lee; 09-01-2015 at 12:58 AM..
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