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1947 Water Cooled Drake Harley Davidson Knucklehead Engine

By Paul Crowe

Drake water cooled Harley Davidson engine
Drake water cooled Harley Davidson engine

A couple of years ago, there was a midget racer with a Drake water cooled Harley Davidson engine for sale. The car looked really nice but you could barely see the engine. I just noticed, there is another one of these for sale, but this time the car is all apart and the engine is shown very clearly.

The cylinders are completely covered in water jackets with all of the associated plumbing necessary to carry the coolant. You have to wonder, with all of the strict emission controls on engines these days and the difficulties that come with keeping an air cooled engine clean, maybe Harley could just go back to the Drake. Sure would save on engineering costs. … Only kidding!

Drake water cooled Harley Davidson engine
Drake water cooled Harley Davidson engine
Drake water cooled Harley Davidson engine
Drake water cooled Harley Davidson engine
Drake water cooled Harley Davidson engine
Drake water cooled Harley Davidson engine

Posted on March 22, 2010 Filed Under: American Motorcycles, Engines

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Comments

  1. James says

    March 22, 2010 at 2:50 pm

    Cool stuff! But you forgot the part where H-D sells the water jackets and radiator as an after market (screaming eagle) accessory for only $4,999! (I think I joking, or I hope I am!) he he. oh well time to practicing the welding! Thanks Paul!

  2. Thure says

    March 22, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    Old school high tech, very cool.

  3. Jeff says

    March 22, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    Where is this for sale at?

  4. RaisingKane says

    March 22, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    First Iโ€™ll say I am a Harley owner and I love my Street Glide. However, engineering was never a strong point with Harley Davidson. Iโ€™ve asked this question to numerous Harley dealers, mechanics, and even at a manufacturing plant. Why is Harley still making the โ€œAโ€ motor? And, why is an unbalanced motor in their touring bikes? With all the financial problems they are facing, why not eliminate it altogether.

  5. kim says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    BMW make air cooled engines that pass all noise regulations, and so did S&S with their new v-twin. No problem….

  6. WillyP says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:16 pm

    “maybe Harley could just go back to the Drake. Sure would save on engineering costs. … ”

    Are you sure? bidding is at 15,000+… what were you thinking Harley would spend on engineering?

    Just kidding…

  7. hoyt says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    considering they didn’t know how much killing Buell would save them, would HD know how much the Drake would save them in R&D?

    “heckles” was part of the reCaptcha ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. WillyP says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    “maybe Harley could just go back to the Drake. Sure would save on engineering costs. … ”

    Are you sure? How much do you think Harley spends on engineering, anyway?

    Just kidding… ๐Ÿ˜‰

  9. Greg says

    March 22, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    The Drake midget engine was very competetive in it’s day. Even Vuckovich ran one. Willie G has a completely restored Drake midget in the center of his private collection. He loves it!

  10. Phoenix827 says

    March 22, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    Interesting. The jugs are easy to cool. but what about the heads? Those heads don’t look much different than an air cooled Harley. I don’t think it would really be necessary.

  11. WRXr says

    March 22, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    Looks very similar to a 1920’s “Dog-eared” JAP engine. The kind you would see on Morgans. Only not so nice.

  12. smithmotorwheel says

    March 22, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    I can only hope that if HD has to succumb to water cooling that the powerplant they design looks as cool as this modified knuckle.

  13. todd says

    March 22, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    The heads are cast integral with the cylinders so the water jackets continue within. The rocker boxes look to be original H-D.

    Check out those tiny spindles and rotary shocks. Sweet.

    -todd

  14. American-V says

    March 23, 2010 at 6:16 am

    *RaisingKane*

    What you fail to accept is that the A motor is actually the preferred choice of many, and the rubber-mounts smoothing the vibration is considered to be better than the mechanical noise and eerie stillness of the balanced motor, which – to some – is smooth as a Japanese V-twin and something they ride Harleys to avoid: it’s a personal preference and long may we be able to continue to express one. Oh, and the A motor is also infinitely more open to tuning, not having to deal with the balance factors.

    Will be interesting to see whether Harley recreate something like the Drake to take the long stroke, OHV motors into the next round of EPA compliance: a few cosmetic fins and somewhere cunning to hide the radiator, and they could end up with an acceptable stable-mate for the VR, with minimal retooling.

  15. rafe03 says

    March 23, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    Somebody had a pretty good idea of what he was doing back then! Both cylinder/heads have bosses to attach the engine mounting plate. Good planning that! Should help mounting it on your Morgan Trike! How’bout onto a VW or Hewland transaxle for a front-wheel-drive cyclecar?!

    That’s a trick little weight jacker on the front end. Just a 1/2″ drive ratchet with 2 links back to the pilot in the cockpit. Tune while you drive. Adjust when the track dries & the blue groove appears. Slick!

    Is Drake the same one who, with Meyer built the Offy engines after Fred Offenhauser retired?

  16. rafe03 says

    March 23, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    I just Googled “Drake Motorcycle Engine” & got several links to get more info & pics:–

    http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/06/09/drake-harley-davidson-water-cooled-v-twin-engine/ – Car driven by Bill Vukovich Sr

    http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/01/23/hotrodhawg-harley-powered-roadster/
    – Street rod powered by Harley engine

    http://www.beautyofspeed.com/gallery/motor_drake/index.htm – Other pics & a history lesson. Other V-twins built for Midget racing.

  17. Sean says

    March 26, 2010 at 6:24 am

    Yes, I’m sure the J.B. Weld is alot cheaper…

  18. RaisingKane says

    March 26, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    American V

    Thank you for your candid response. However, I donโ€™t fail to except that some may prefer the โ€œAโ€ motor over the โ€œB.โ€ Perhaps I overstepped by saying they should eliminate it altogether. In fact I think it would be the engine of choice in the Dyna line. Just a thought, when HD redesigned the touring frame, would have been a perfect time to change over. In talking with other tour bike riders, I have met a majority of riders that would trade in their touring models tomorrow if HD offered the B today.

  19. bill says

    January 11, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    cap`s sandblasting and powdercoating had some new castings made here in fresno ca,jessy james tried to get his boney paws on them first ha ha ha the loser lost

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