Ed Donovan (engine builder)


Ed Donovan, commonly called "The Mole", was an American racing engine and parts builder.
Donovan developed the first all-aluminum-block hemi designed specifically for Top Fuel drag racing.
He was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2003.

Early life

Ed Donovan was born 1928 in Los Angeles. He was fascinated with engines from an early age.
While working for Offenhauser, Donovan became involved in drag racing, before branching out on his own.

Engine builder

Donovan's company, Donovan Engineering, was started in 1957. He supplied top racers, including "Dyno Don" Nicholson. Donovan, along with Leo Goossen, built the first two-disk racing clutch, the first titanium valves, and other gear.
In 1964, he built the "vaunted" Donovan Engineering Special, hiring Tom McEwen to drive it.
Donovan is best known for his hemi, introduced in 1971. He copied the Chrysler, which he admired, but tried to eliminate its flaws. He developed the aluminum hemi to overcome the tendency of Chryslers, then used by Top Fuel racers, to crack their iron blocks. The first driver to use the Donovan hemi was "Kansas John" Wiebe, at the 1971 NHRA Super Nationals, where Wiebe very nearly won Top Fuel.
In 1977, Donovan persuaded "Big Daddy" Don Garlits to switch from the he had been using for the last thirteen years to the, offering “an engine deal I couldn't refuse”.
Donovan also built the only aluminum-block aftermarket copy of the small-block Chevy to successfully finish the Indianapolis 500. He also copied the and big-blocks.
Donovan made little money on his developments, despite the fact the aluminum hemi becoming the effective standard drag racing engine for a generation.

Personal life

Donovan was famously generous, always paying restaurant bills, and was willing to give his employees even the very shirt off his back. He also demonstrated fierce loyalty.
In addition, he was a music lover, gourmet chef, and wine connoisseur of fine wine.
His sense of humor was quirky; he once claimed to hate the name Joe, listing examples such as Paisano, Hrudka, and Mondello.
Donovan was 61 when he died, of cancer.
He was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2003.