[Land-speed] ( Dear Jack ) & LOOK MA: NO Valve Springs !!!!!

[FastmetalBDF at aol.com]

In eight or nine years of being on our list here, I  cannot recall any 
discussion of Desmodromic Valve Gear, as utilized at one  time by Mercedes-Benz on 
some of their racing engines.  Were any ever  actually used in competition, 
either pre-war or post-war ?  Eliminating  valve springs seems like a decided 
advantage in any  engine, and most  decidely in a high rev racing engine, but 
obviously there had to  be a down-side to this arrangement ...... any comments by 
our resident  engine gurus onboard here ?  NO FAIR running to Google or  
Mercedes-Benz websites, or anywhere online, for any info or descriptions ......  
all answers from your own personal knowledge and/or past experience, or 
reading,  Please !    Thanks in advance   ~   Bruce,  way back east, recalling the 
time, many, many moons ago, when I first saw the  inside of a big Ford V8 
'Cammer' ...... Connie Kalitta was checking the topside  out on his 'Bounty Hunter' 
fueler between rounds at our local strip( Connecticut  Dragway ),and the cam 
on the top of each bank was most impressive !!!   Those SOHC's were NOT 
desmodromic ...... but were really great looking and  exciting machinery !!!  ( End 
of old guy  ramble.)



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