After a couple of recent discussions about my rebuilding the engine in the roadster, I thought I'd share some info on the 14L engine, or more precisely the head.

The 14L engine has 43 horsepower with the14L head and 47 to 50 with a 15L head (depends on what brochure you read).
The 1929 model 66 came with a 15L motor and the 1928 model 65 also had a 15L engine.
That 15L engine had a bell housing, the 14L never did. However the internal parts are interchangeable between the 15L and the 1929 14L motors. The pre 1929 14L engines were rated at 165 cubic inches while the 1929 14L was rated at 185 cubic inches. 2.7 liters and 3.0 liters for the metric inclined.

It seems that the factory used the 15L head on the 14L engine when they wanted 4 or 5 extra horse power. For example, the 1929 Model 60 came with a 14L rated at 43 ponies, while the 1929 Model 63 came with a 14L but in that case the engine came equipped with a 15L head rated at 50 horsepower.

The shape of the combustion chambers are very different on the two heads and there is also a difference in timing.

14L with 15L head ready to run


Picture of 14L head - longer and lower


Picture of 15L head - shorter but deeper


I don't remember where I found this.


Rick

Where Are You From? Fremont, California

Do You own a car built by Durant? two of them

Hi Rick,

Good information...Would you know if there are any "outside" identifiable markings to identify wheather a head is a 14-L or a 15-L?

Terrys site has the engine specification on the 1929 model 60 as a Read Seal Continental 43 HP, Bore and stroke 2 7/8" X 4 3/4"...And has the (1930?) model 60 as a Red Seal Continental 50 Hp with same bore and stroke...Were their two different HP engines in the model 60?

Also, some model 60 engines came with a Vibration damper and some did not, would anyone happen to know the particulars?

Thanks, Bill

Where Are You From? Yuma, AZ / Leavenworth, WA

Do You own a car built by Durant? Yes three

Then there's the early 14L used 1928 60 that Claude Lavoie has and written up last Partner, giving engine details.

Somewhere buried in tech page I can never find, is a chart called Durant Motor Engine Size CID which shows 14L and next down 14L / 15L

Last engine shown is incorrect as 22A and should be 32A. Also gives the impression the Frontenac used that one. E / 670 Frontenac used the 22A same as the 614. 32A used 618, 633 Durant and 685 Frontenac.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

Not and engine mechanic or anything close to it, just sharing some info I came across 1st. listing is for 1929 Durant Model 60 start date Sept 1928 1st. series which has a Continental 14L L head motor with B&S of 2 3/4'x 4 3/4' N.A.C.C. hp 18.15 and Brk. hp of 40 @ 2400 r.p.m. and piston disp. of 169.3 it also mentions Lanchester vibration damper. 2nd listing is for 1929 Durant Model 60 start date Jan. 1929 2nd series which has a Continental Special L head motor with B&S 2 7/8'x 4 3/4' N.A.C.C. hp of 19.84 and Brk hp 45 @ 2800 r.p.m. with piston disp. of 185 it also mentions Lanchester vibration damper. 3rd. listing is for 1930 Durant Model 60 start date Aug 1929 which has a Continental Special L head motor with B&S 2 7/8' X 4 3/4' N.A.C.C. hp 19.84 with Brk. hp 46 @ 2800 r.p.m. Piston disp. of 185 and no mention of a vibration damper. Hope this has helped instead of muddying up the waters even more.

Where Are You From? Mississauga Ontario

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1933 Frontenac C-400