The Patents of Smokey Yunick - Engines, Equipment, and A Racing Series?! 

Took a class from Smokey Back in the 90’s. One of the greatest out of the box thinkers. RIP Smokey

Last month I took a guided tour with Don at his drag racing museum. He was very proud of having Smokey's machine there and spoke very fondly of his friendship with him.

"NASCAR rules said you couldn't have a bellypan. So we made this big rotisserie to turn the cars upside down and we'd spend a week smoothing the underside of the car with body filler, blending everything in. Not a car went out of my shop that didn't have two hundred pounds of Bondo underneath. We didn't have a bellypan, but we had the next best thing. Course NASCAR found out and made us stop that pretty quick"

In the 70's / 80'a era there was a column in the magazine Popular Science titled " Say Smokey . . . " where readers would post automotive questions

Brian, as a 19yo Embry-Riddle college student I worked across the alley from his Daytona Beach shop, I’d take my brown bag and lunch in the alley sitting on an open trailer parked there watching his genius in action, praying some of it would rub off!

Decades ago I read Smokeys Power Secrets, numerous times along with other engine books. Most of his ideas were totally sound engineering and I used many on my engines. Good low buck engines that stayed together for extended periods

Smokey Yunik , was also a WW2 veteran who served in the Army Air Corps as a B-17 pilot who flew over 50 misdions during his 4 years of service .. The man was brilliant, and he was dedicated to making the racing cars more efficient and powerful... Such an interesting person to learn from...

In his book Smokey said he took psychedelic drugs in order to mentally solve mechanical problems and imagine a solution. Not LSD but mescaline from cactus. This undoubtedly led to things like the reverse rotation Indy car, The flywheel/bellhousing supercharger on the Fireball Roberts 1962 Pontiac, the hidden dry sump system he outlined in his book, and all the other fringe stuff he tried.

Please never stop uploading to RU-vid, Brian. I don't even care what the topic is. Just keep these kickass videos coming please.

Met Smokey and his wife in the Orlando airport one morning. The hat was a dead giveaway to who he was. I introduced myself to him and his wife, and started asking him questions. His wife stopped me short and said that he couldn’t hear me so I needn’t try. Both of them were pleasant and I think he understood where I was coming from. A true innovator. Gone but never forgotten. Thanks for producing this video, Brian. Keep up the great work here and on TV.

There a big difference between breaking rules and knowing how to read between the lines. Smokey was a master at reading between the lines. When rule books get changed you sir are my hero. As always thanks.

I met Smokey once in Daytona and he was as cool as a cucumber ! Nice guy 👍🏻

"If you can spot it, you got it..." Thank you for shining some light on Smokey's brilliant, sometimes kooky- ideas. 14:35

Been waiting on an episode for the GOAT

my brother lived in daytona and knew smokey's son.... he got me an autographed power secrets book.... most awsome . just like brian's video's, awsome.

My favorite Smokey "trick" is the clutch flywheel supercharger. The 2" diameter fuel line is another favorite. If it doesn't say no in the rules......

I remember reading about the vapor engine in HOT ROD Magazine as I was graduating High School heading to College to get a degree in Mechanical Engineering. June 1984 issue on the Mototrend App. Thanks for the video as always Brian!

I just started listening to this one, so forgive me if you covered this: Smokey wrote a crazy, amazing book “The Best Damn Garage In Town”. It’s a riot.

After seeing this I think Mr Yunick described the current NASCAR cup car with the exception of the brand sticker on the bumpers.

He definitely had a lot of unique ideas. Always fun hearing about racing history.

Smoky is also responsible for inventing the extended tip spark plug. When Chevy brought out the 283 in 57 they were having trouble fouling plugs. I no longer have his audio book to double check so perhaps someone else can add to this story. But smoky was working with a stark plug company and he mentions that he got screwed out of being able to patent the concept. Anyhow you can add the extended tip spark plug to his list of accomplishments.

Ford spun-tested every Model A engine using a huge electric motor. The amount of juice it took to turn it indicated if it was ok or not. Less resistance, for example, might mean low compression and that one was pulled off the line to be diagnosed and fixed, or if it was too far gone it could be disassembled and the parts sent back to be melted down again. The good engines got a serial number stamped in em.

I used to eat lunch with Cecil Taylor and Bob Blackwell a couple times a week. That's the guy you need to do a Story on. he was a guy that knew Smokey Yunick and stayed at his place when he was in town to visit almost got Smokey with Weld on his 5 axis Mill the fist one made. He started as AJ Foyt's left front tire guy, and had relationships with Sammy Swindle and Gaerte Engines, Don Prudhomme and best friend of AJ Himself, and many more. Our joke always was, There is the Pope, I don't know the Pope, but see the guy next to him, that's Cecil Taylor. Ask Bob Blackwell sometime. Another good one Brian.

Even Smokey had to follow the Laws of physics.

I've got an Old and very grease stained copy of his Power Secrets Book. The Man was a Pure Genius and Out of the Box Thinker. Thx 👍👍

Very interesting man

Brian, your channel is friggin awesome! Keep the history coming for us rabid gearheads. Don't know if you know about his autobiography. If not, you absolutely NEED to get your hands on the 3 volume set. I promise you won't be disappointed. Basically unedited, with plenty of colorful language and great stories of boozing, chasing women and raising hell. He was one tough s.o.b. Flew 52 missions as a bomber pilot in WWII. Worked, lived and partied harder than most and as you probably know, wasn't afraid to speak his mind, with basically a "zero fucks given" attitude. SO much information in those books. I really think you need to continue covering his life with a whole series on him. People need to know what an amazing badass and innovator he was. You're a natural in the way you present your videos and if there's anybody that can do it well, it's you!

Thanks Brian good episode I followed him since the 60s, he was kind of a modern day renaissance man.

Back in late eighty's into the nineties I worked at McLaren Engines,a R& D shop in suburban Detroit. I worked on the hot vapor engine,,,,why didnt it ever go anywhere ? Because it plain old didnt work, but Smokey got the money for it as he was under contract with the General. One thing I did work on,,that did work, was the reverse cooling system,,,which is pretty much universal through all mfr,s,,, The engineer from Chevrolet,who worked with Smokey in his shop in Florida,,came back and forth with alot of crazy things to fool with,brought me back a autographed picture that Smokey took off his wall in his office,it was the Indy car with the hands for nerf bars. The fabricating skills were rather crude compared to the Indy Car stuff we were used to working on

Back in early 80’s I built an engine for short track racing based entirely on Smokey’s book “Power Secrets”. I worked out perfectly and I was able to compete with the guys that had professionally built engines. Thank you Smokey!

Grand Slam!!! Anything Smokey is always a good thing.

I was lucky enough to drive 1 of his mini stock race cars ,in 91 when I was 18,, my older brother knew him well

Hey Brian,I truly enjoy your presentations. Do you ever look at your data? Whatever YT calls it. When you see a minute or two of views. Or even incomplete views. Believe me. It ain't you. Your viewers get interrupted. So being the good folks that they are. They give their full attention to a real live human being. Then, once everyone is taken care of and settled in. They come back and watch the video from beginning to end with no interruption. I thought I would offer that up.

Nice Brian, Mr. Yunick is one of my HERO"S (his book lives on my nightstand), the life he lived was freakin' crazy. My favorite theory of his racing career is "If the rule book doesn't say you can't means you can" (paraphrasing)

Nice compilation, and a fitting tribute to Mr. Yunick. Although not patented, Smokey was also responsible for the innovative reverse flow cooling (which allowed higher compression at cooler head temps) incorporated in the second generation LT1 sbc.

Back in 1994, my near father-in-law, let's call him Russell, was a consultant for ARP. I got a phone call from him with the question do I know of Smokey Yunick and would I like to meet him? Oh yeah. Smokey was consulting with ARP on how to properly make cold-rolled threads and I was able to sit in on that meeting. People spoke in turn as Smokey puffed on his ever present pipe. When he stated " I have some thoughts on this..." you could hear a pin drop in the room. Afterward, I got my chance to shake his hand and I don't think I have washed that hand yet 😄. As far as his adiabatic motor, I remember reading a Popular Mechanics article about it. The article claimed that the engine ran smoothly and had a wide power band. As far as why these types of engines weren't used, I think it had to do with the later experimentation with ceramic internal parts containing so much heat that the intake would pressurize because of the very high intake temps causing high thermal expansion resulting in high pumping losses that took a lot of power to overcome. That was what I remember about the short-coming of this type of engine, not Smokey's in particular.

I love Smokey and his ideas, as well as this video about him. It’s my own personal opinion and feelings about the subject, but the way that most racing is becoming more and more spec makes me sincerely sad. Designing and fabricating machines that work better than others is the heart and soul of racing. Excuse the generic metaphors, but that is what I’ve committed most of my life to. Every time a type of car becomes more spec, the less it matters. I understand having spec Miata, or spec motor sprint car series, etc., as extensions of racing to allow budget racers to have fun. What I hate, and it sincerely hurts my soul, is seeing every mid range to major form of racing gradually devolve into what is more and more an “arrive and drive” type thing. Feld entertainment might as well own NASCAR and Indycar, along with several other. Teams can just show up with a setup sheet and some shocks in a briefcase, and plug a driver in. I can’t really explain in text how boring that is, as a fabricator and driver that has spent many hundreds of of hours developing a car, and sees that development and ingenuity as what racing really is. I have no interest in fully spec racing, and it saddens me that most people are oblivious, or don’t care either way. /rant

I remember him in Popular Mechanics and other automotive publications. True genius.

That was AWESOME. The guy was truly AMAZING. That race track idea is incredible. Thanks for sharing this video.

Rest in Peace, Smokey. I am sure he is finding ways to one-up the competition in the big sky, even against Junior Johnson

Smokey was a real American innovator. His "Say Smokey" column was the first thing I went to in Popular Science magazine as a youngster interested in engines. He also had a very interesting article on leakdown testing for engines in that magazine, which was the first time I had ever heard of the idea. It gave you more info and was considered more accurate than compression tests. Great American

there is no one or will there be another mr smokey yunick! he was way ahead of anyone in his type of old generation engineering. long live the great smokey yunick.

He invented tires for that fiero that lasted over 100,000 miles!!

One of my favorite car guys of all time.

Thank you so much Brian for doing this video on Smokey as he clearly belongs in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. His genius is legendary and please keep these excellent videos coming. You do a great job.

He was a B-17 pilot in WWII. Genius. Forward Thinker

Thanks for another great video! I’ve always been curious about the hot vapor engine patent.

Over the years NASCAR has managed to squash creativity like Smoky used in favor of creating a BUMPER-CAR money machine that the public can't seem to resist.

Love all your videos man I love that Smoky is who your 100th video is about he is really a great guy to read about. Keep up all the good work you do brother

My chief mechanic was like Smoky; if the rules don’t say I can’t do something then I can do it. Way to go, Charlie.

Another Classic Brian, Thank you!

He was also part of the Hudson Hornet racing teams

fantastic as usual!

Awesome Video Brian

The original “grey area” reader

Great Video. Hes one of my favs!

Another great job on one of my favorites in racing! Thank You!!

Smokey Yunick , a true genius, way ahead of his time. Many , many thanks for that one.

Great video Brian. Smokey was a fascinating individual. Thanks for the history lesson.

Smokey Yunick and Penzoil. I remember in high school reading " ask Smokey " in poular science magazine.

Thanks Very Informative ❤

A great man I had his book it great 👍 a master of getting the job done and winning

Exelent info/video!!❤

Love your videos

Thanks again for another great piece! Now I wish I still had my "How to Hotrod Small Block Chevies" book. Introduced me to Smokey.

Hey Brian, I really appreciate your presentation of Smokey's genius. I had read Best Damn Garage in Town set The audio versions Sex, lies, & Super Speedways along with More Sex Lies & Super Speedways knocked me out John DeLorean read the first and the second had multiple readers from Don Gartlis, Ray Everham along with quite a few others. A testament to the respect he deserves. They seemed to get a kick out of reading his plain spoken writing style. Thanks again for another great video.

BRIAN YOU EARNED THAT AWARD BROTHER!!! CONGRATS TO YOU!! Would love to see you on the Cooper Bogetti Podcast!!!

I remember when Smokey's "Hot Cycle" engine was described in a car magazine I bought at a newsstand. If I recall correctly, the article claimed that there was already a deal signed to have the company known that owned the "Mr. Gasket" brand name manufacture kits to convert existing engines to use the fuel pre-heating. Apparently, they could get about 1.8 HP/c.i. out of most engines, and greatly improved fuel economy. At the end of the article, the authors mentioned that Smokey had an idea for a ceramic engine that would run oilless, and be able to tolerate even higher operating temperatures.

Hi Brian, I read about the Yanick Yin Yang motor in the 80's (think it was Popular Mechanics) that he made from I think was a Harly V twin and put in a Volks wagon, I never saw anything again. thought it went the same way that Tucker did with the big three squashing it because it would cost them money Rich

Swirl has , been used and that design look very like what’s used in some diesels more so

I started reading Hot Rod Magazine in the 1960's. Over the years there were many articles about Smokey, or written by him. I distinctly remember the Hot Vapor engine story in the 1980's. Many years later Hot Rod ran another story about how General Motors bought the patent and did nothing with it. Maybe they couldn't get it to work as well. A true genius. I always hoped to meet him and Bill Jenkins, but that ship has sailed.

Congratulations 🎉👏 on your induction into the Hall of Fame!! Well deserved Sir..

Roush had a version of the spintron in the late eighties. As a former employee of that time, I can confirm the use and similar reasons were used.

Amazing man and life.

Smokey should be in the NASCAR Halll of Fame--and on the first ballet. He still is not there since he pissed off the France family. For that reason I will NEVER, EVER set foot in that place! Rest well my friend, you were extra special! Jeff

I remember Yunkick's adiabatic engine and was very excited about it. Of course it never came to be.

dude you are the Steve Magnante of vintage American motorsports 😀

His vapor water engine in the DMC Delorean was awesome.

Bob Glidden didnt have time to patent a spintron in the 80's 😉

Having a patent granted in no means means the IP is practical. HA - there were probably millions of ‘useless’ patents. These days it can be a bit more ‘strict’ on the actual operational facts. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA

A mind that went against the establishment! Smokey Yunich's genius was quashed by pencil-pushing bean counters. Sound familiar? Just replace the words with power-grabbers.

Both the Smoketron and the hot vapour Fiero are on display at the Garlits museum in Ocala.

Smokey’s book Best Damn Garage In Town The world according to Smokey is an absolute must read for any motor racing fan. Probably available on his website. It reads as if you were sitting across from him in his shop. Smokey also developed the Hydro boost brake system, Ralph Johnson & Smokey are responsible for the Holly Double pumper carburetor. Read Smokey’s book. You won’t be disappointed.

In the 50's Mac. Illustrated did an interview with Smokey. One of his statements was," most people forget about setting up there carburetor."

Decades ago I read in a car magazine an article he wrote that stated that drum brakes were superior to discs. I do not doubt that he was devious and brilliant but hey, look at every car on the road today.

So was the rumor of a 67 Chevelle #13 being 15/16 in size?

When the Baltimore Grand Prix street course was set up, there were barriers made from tires - stacks bolted together. I wonder if they were the same as Smokey's patented ones?

I owned an engine that a very talented mechanic built from the instructions and specs he got out of a Smokey Yunick book. It was a Chevy block with 6 inch Oldsmobile Rocket rods in it. The mechanic put the engine together and took it apart 8 times before he ever put fuel and electric to it, to start it for the first time. It was the baddest engine I ever owned, and I hated to let it go.

30+ yrs ago I ran fuel line through a 3 foot pipe that was full of engine water. The flapper air valve in the air cleaner that took heat off the exhaust manifold, was jammed so manifold heat always entered the carb. The "initial" timing was advanced 1-2°. I ran the lowest octane gas in summer with 0.o ping/detonation @ hard acceleration. All pollutants decreased @ idle & cruise. 1 of the pollutants @ idle or cruise went from 10.00% down to 00.37%. That's over a 95% DEcrease. The only thing that increased was carbon dioxide. That's what we exhale, plants inhale & you'll find as soda pop bubbles. I could remove the idle speed screw, an the engine idled smoothly. It was a 69 Pontiac 350 V8 with well over 100,000 mi. on the meter.

Smokey was way ahead of his time. Maybe even today.

Sounds like NASCAR has "borrowed" the charter and spec car ideas in recent years.

on the swirl combustion chambers, The Ford Tempo 2.3 in 1984 had HSC , high swirl combustion chambers. Don't know if they looked anything like Smokey's patent, but I can relate, the cars were slow.

Smokey Yunick to the NASCAR Hall of Fame when? I mean after all that charter system is basically what NASCAR (and soon to be Indycar) are running. Also, his 1.5's sound way more entertaining than the 1.5 mile tracks that got built IRL (Sorry Charlotte)

I've heard of the common track design before. Today we call them cookie cutter race tracks, and Indycar is so spec that relatively no one, spectator wise cares all that much. It takes away creativity, which I find odd, because his legacy is creativity. He would have created a snoozefest.

An American Legend. Genius.

Godd stuff!

Wow. Without Smokey’s patents, nothing would have changed in today’s engines. I wonder if he tried to patent farts?

I spent a lot of time with Smokey and Ralph and have a lot more stories, having a similar inventive bent got into a lot of deep weeds still not mentioned, and can tell you the exact reason why the vapor engine went nowhere etc.

And the story behind Smokey inventing hydro-boost, and GM not patent protecting the invention.

Eddie Paul ( that did movie cars + customs ) has a couple of parents for a fluid pump, maybe do a vid? There is / was his own channel