Large-diameter, unshrouded valves combined with a proper combustion chamber configuration and piston design are needed to promote the proper transfer area from the flathead's valves to the far end of the chamber over the piston tops. All have 1132-inch valve stems and get a three-angle cut to improve flow. The front fenders were then modified to allow for valve cover clearance. i plan on building a T bucket in the next year and want to run a flatty. This block is completely beefed up, with four-bolt caps, reinforced bottom-end and webbing, furnace-brazed sleeves (max bore is 3.5 inches), and new-design head studs that tie into the bottom of the block. The Flathead in the five-window coupe is the test mule, and Motor City plans to begin production soon. Ken Austin grew up on a farm in Newberg, Oregon where his interest in cars started when he got his permit to drive to school. What's right for your engine differs per application. But that just leaves these pristine virgin blocks for us normal street guys. Heck, not even a front door, really. Back in the day, four-barrel carbs had barely been invented. Traditional flathead airflow management practices call for relieving the block-removing metal between the valve-seat sides closest to the cylinder bore. Custom billets stretch all the way to 4.5-inch stroke. Ross, Wiseco, Egge, Arias, and others make pistons in any configuration you desire. Of course, this modern stuff requires a 12-volt electrical system. "These engines look cool, run cool, and are reliable," he says. The downside was, as Flathead Engineering's Charlie Clark puts it, street rods "began to look about as exciting as a belly-button-everyone had one. Just sold him a fresh batch so I assume he's still building engines? The third-design "8BA" '49-'53 engines have a bolt-on bellhousing, the distributor was moved to the top-right of the engine, and modern insert-style bearings are used on both the mains and rods. Not all flathead water pumps are created equal, though. The only drawback with the Ardun heads is cost. K&F Show #258: The Masters and Adam Sandlers 74 Duster; Movie Review Revisit Happy Gilmore! Speedway Motors offers pumps with sealed bearings that do an even better job in both early and late configurations. The old-timers took what they had and made it work. The current incarnation is 3 inches taller than the originals and has smaller 1 1/2-inch ports (vintage versions had 1 3/4 ports, but the new casting is thick enough to hog 'em out). The heads come complete with Isky valve springs, 1.5-inch diameter stainless steel valves, adjustable push rods, lifters, custom head gaskets and a pair of exhaust flanges. The block, heads, intake manifold and water pumps are made out of aluminum, making this a very light alternative to its cast iron brethren. Flathead Myths courtesy of Tony Baron A look inside gives you the sensation of an open air concept that could easily be seen in many of todays homes. Mullins, a leading purveyor of surplus Jeep and other vintage military parts in Texas, accidentally discovered a warehouse full of brand-new French blocks about to be junked during a European trip searching for Jeep stuff. $299.00. The company they formed to produce these heads was named Ardun, an acronym derived from their last name. Bridging the gap was a couple of Ardun conversions of note. At first everyone was dumping modern engines into old metal, but eventually the supply of stock bodies dried up and reproduction glass bodies took over. Solve cooling problems by using a modern water pump available through Speedway Motors and other sources. RR&C achieved this look by removing the divider between the truck and the passenger compartment. Melling still makes a high-volume oil pump (PN M-15). Cast in Los Angeles from the highest quality T6 tempered A356 aluminum and CNC machined, the 24-stud Wilson & Woods heads are designed to fit the desirable 1949-53 8BA flathead. small block chryslers (head approx 23" ) will be 201, 217/218, and 230 cu in, the 230 is the only of the 3 that has a 8 bolt crank flange. The conversion kits are not inexpensive; pricing starts at just below $14,000. The block is cast from aluminum and features a great number of changes from the original cast iron design. TMCP #537: Ask Rick Lessons Learned to Promote (or Dismiss) Employees; Plus an Easter Project Car Review Blowout! These are the only 337 high compression cylinder heads on the market. ARDUN ENTERPRISES Don Ferguson P.O. High-compression is the way to go. It comes with the standard REVO IFS with drop spindles, splined sway bar, upgraded to Penske double-adjustable coilover shocks. The stock flathead oiling system is marginal for performance use. Flatheads began to come back, and prices of swap-meet stuff skyrocketed. Fel-Pro and Victor continue to make head gaskets too. For improved cooling efficiency, original 49-53 pumps have more impeller vanes than earlier models. Its a Holley touch screen that allows one to manage the computer settings. With modern aftermarket cranks and rods using modern insert bearings, 5,500 rpm normally aspirated is not a problem, even with only three main bearings. Both the front and rear are equipped with an enhanced brake package wrapped around Baer discs featuring 11-inch rotors and appropriate calipers. Finally, there are brand-new aluminum blocks and Ardun OHV conversion heads and valvetrains. Seal the heads to the block using slick new graphite-impregnated head gaskets available from Best Gasket, Reds Headers, and Tatom. At the other extreme are dry-lakes, Bonneville, and nostalgia drag racers who have applied modern technology to the point where in some instances it is questionable whether the engine still remains a true flathead: Once-85hp engines now produce over 400 hp on gas and have exceeded 700 hp on fuel-all this on an engine with only three main bearings. Chrisman, Rathman and others had Al build custom parts for their cars. It will use a new oil pan and special bolt-on universal bellhousing that accepts most modern transmissions. Reliefs between the valves and bores are much less pronounced than the old days, only about 0.080-inch deep instead of the old-school 31/416 inch. Since taking on the cylinder heads, Don's fabrication business has grown to encompass much more than just the Ardun conversions. However, the main caps are beefier than traditional stock flatheads. Yeah, maybe in the thirties when Ford was considering powering airplanes with their V8's, but not these days. Now it's 2005, and the flathead's resurgence shows no sign of diminishing. Because the French version was used in trucks, the intake- and exhaust-port throats are choked down under the valve pockets, so extensive port-work is required for racing. An alternative are Pertronix conversion kits that fit inside the original distributor; they retain the classic look, and versions are even offered that function on 6-volt power. Scott's car, too, won its class and set a new B Lakester record of 201.015 mph with LeRoy Holmes at the wheel, becoming the first open-wheeled car to reach 200 mph. For improved cooling efficiency, original '49-'53 pumps have more impeller vanes than earlier models. The mixture must follow a tortuous U-turn path out the block-mounted intake valve, over to the main part of the chamber above the piston, and then back out the exhaust valve. The headliner is a tan wool while the carpeting and floor mats are a dark brown tight weave pile all from the sewing machine of Putnam. It was a statement, in effect saying, I am not a cookie-cutter rod.. Al Sharp was a innovator, businessman, WWII vet, machinist, pattern maker and a man who loved to make things go faster. jimmy six, Jan 3, 2023. The 49-53 8BA block (, Fergusons Ardun kit includes heads; valvetrain spark-plug tubes; valve covers; Coke-bottl, Compared to the original Ardun (bottom), the new kit (top) includes stronger rocker stands, Tom Roberts makes this trick two-piece intake. This isnt any ol ARDUN-equipped Flathead, if theres such a thing, but rather the highly desirable V-8 from ARDUN Enterprises; now under the watchful eye of Don Jr. and Don the III. He also makes a pan for his block that is supposed to work on a stock block? La Crescenta, CA 91214 You will also find one of these resting on top of Amies 294-inch Flathead. Thanks ! I've sold Don my 409 Chevy to Flathead aluminum water pump kits for years. A recent test of a prototype set of Hammerhead's castings bolted on a 427ci small-block stroker produced over 600 hp with a streetable hydraulic roller camshaft and 600 lb-ft of torque. Mooneyes also offers throttle-bodies that resemble Strombergs. Enjoyed this Post? The Sharp 32 triple carburetor intake is one of the few that accepts Holley 94s and Stromberg 97s. Unfortunately, old-school resistance to this "new and improved" part is so extensive that the SCTA has banned the blocks from competing in classic land speed racing classes. There are several techniques; the accompanying photos show the method preferred by Baron Racing. With just three mains (modern V-8s have five), a flatties bottom-end is marginal for high, Tom Roberts uses a 6-inch-od early 327 Chevy small-journal damper, honed and rebroached wi, Dont want to do any machining? Tony Baron runs 10 degrees of base timing and 23 degrees max at full advance. The solution is to raise the boiling point by upping coolant-system pressure to 17-21 pounds, using a modern crossflow radiator and higher-pressure cap. However, there are some significant differences in French blocks compared to the originals. The foundation for this 1936 Ford three-window coupe is based on a Roadster Shop 1935-1940 Ford REVO chassis engineered for optimal street ride and handling performance. Standing out among the parts and projects is a flathead engine on a rolling cradle, fitted with Ardun cylinder heads and a S.Co.T. Are you saying that theres a FLATHEAD in there ? In the end we should be so lucky to drive our end result as many miles as we traveled in our quest. Where are the water jackets for coolant? Besides, multicarb setups look cool. His manifolds and valve covers graced the of the famous Hurst Hairy Olds twin engine car and he helped Craig Breedlove with the Spirirt of America record setting run. The first-design '32 through early '38 engines had only 21 cylinder-head studs and until mid 1936 even used poured babbit main bearings. "Flat-Heads Battle Rocker-Arms for All-Out Supremacy" blared the Nov. '53 HOT ROD. Over the meticulous bodywork performed by RR&C, a 1940 Ford factory color was applied. There are builders on the left and right coasts and all points in-between who assemble reliable, powerful, 150-200hp engines, or you can buy new parts and build one yourself. They fit original '39-'53 blocks, French blocks, and (perhaps the ultimate evolution) Ferguson's new aluminum block. This improves airflow, but the resultant effective combustion-chamber-volume increase lowers the compression ratio, in turn decreasing horsepower and fuel economy. Denny is right.ALL of the above is true scoop! Ultimately, you can move up to one of Cornhusker Engineerings custom front cover and late-model water-pump setups. Eventually you could build a whole street rod out of aftermarket commodity parts. The 270-F, Tatoms best all-around cam, is said to work well on normally aspirated or blown, stick, or automatic cars, with good idle quality and 18-19 inches of vacuum. The originals still are. krylon32, Apr 26, 2010 SHARE POST #5 gooseta2 Member from on the edge dknlsdknvsl Last edited: Aug 11, 2012 gooseta2, Apr 27, 2010 SHARE POST #6 flatjack Member from Oshkosh, Wi. Back in the old days, all cars used low-pressure cooling systems, so coolant often boiled. In 1947, long before Zora Arkus-Duntov became famous for his work developing the Corvette and performance Chevrolet parts, he and his brother Yura designed what has been considered the ultimate flathead performance mod-turning the engine into an overhead-valve hemi. Well, what kind of motor do you want? While exact ignition timing will vary per combination, in general flatheads running gasoline like about 23 degrees total advance normally aspirated and just 19 degrees with a blower. The present-day Arduns are CNC-machined using high-grade 356-T6 aluminum, have refined combustion chambers, and improved oiling and valvetrain components. The new engines overpowered the old chassis, so modern suspensions and disc-brake swaps were added to the mix. - Frank Comstock @Hemmings, Newly Engineered Flathead V8 Block - Motor City Speed Equipment. Much has been written about the legendary Ardun Flathead conversion over the years-some truth, some myth, and some hearsay. Also mounted to the column is an original knee-knocker Stewart-Warner mechanical tach run off the back of the alternator; another one-off piece by RR&C. Though parts will interchange with originals, these new heads feature stronger rocker stands and billet aluminum roller rockers with improved geometry and internal oiling restrictors, as well as greater adjustability. Don Ferguson of Paramount Forge has designed an built aluminum FH blocks to be used with original or his Ardun Cylinder heads only. ". Blower Kits. The flatheads compression ratio is well suited to supercharging, and besides, what could be more hot rod than a blower poking through the hood? The Chrisman brothers competition coupeso handsome it warranted its own "Fantastic Coupe" feature in the magazine as well as a Rex Burnett cutaway drawingused an innovative rear engine-mount cradle that could be uncoupled from the chassis to speed repairs or swaps. Don Jr. was the man showing us around the shop; his father was a longtime land-speed racer in whose arsenal were Ardun-equipped motors. Research has shown there's relatively little air movement over the base of the block. 226: Big News for The Custom Car Revival! Somewhere in the middle is the largest group: Potential street rodders who just want reasonably fast hot rods without having a cookie-cutter, 1-800-car. Strombergs were the favorites, but Chandler-Grove/Holley, Zenith, and Rochester two-barrels were also in use. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). There are over 50 different flathead intake manifolds, but they aren't all created equal. If the combination is properly tailored to the blower application, you should have no real problem. His passion for Hot Rods and to create new products has helped the after-market industry continue to grow, DIXON heads relocate the exhaust valve out of the block and into the head reducing overheating and allowing for vastly improved exhaust gas flow. Many hard-core guys still swear by Isky's 400-JR solid (0.400 lift, 244-degrees at 0.050, 111-degree LSA). How bout Uncommons twin 4-71 top-mount system, shown here in m, Reds Headers offers more than 60 different flathead header sets including this stream-lin, Tatom offers equal-length headers for all fat fenders and roadsters. TMCP #537: Ask Rick Lessons Learned to Promote (or Dismiss) Employees; Plus an Easter Project Car Review Blowout! Most stock flatheads never came with an effective harmonic damper. Steering is under the watchful turn of a Maval rack, which controls the rolling stock consisting of one-off EVOD wheels (reminiscent of 50s Indy racing), measuring 166 and 167 with Diamond Back Classics radial rubber measuring 6.00-16 and 7.00-16. Guys who once dreamed of owning a flattie back in the '50s but who had neither the time nor the money were now in their 50s, with lots of disposable income. The flathead blocks to get are those with a 3 3/16-inch bore. There is also an ugly governor mounting boss on the left-rear of the block that many rodders prefer to machine off. Starting in July 1938, the blocks went to 24 head-retention studs. While attending college he gained interest in making parts for himself and started making some speed equipment and honed his pattern making skills.In 1964, Ken built an improved air-powered vacuum system known as the Air-Vacuum System which helped found his dental equipment company A-dec. Ken and Joan have grown the company to become the leading manufacture of dental equipment in the world offering a com-plete line of dental equipment.Throughout the years he has been a classic car collector and enthusiast. Other appointments include the Autotrend EFI with a Holley HP ECU, an electronic ignition housed to look like a vintage magneto (possibly a Vertex), an MSD coil, cloth braided spark plug wires, while the juice is derived from the trunk-mounted Optima RedTop battery. Although it sounds weird in this modern age of thin-wall castings, the 3 3/16-inch-bore, U.S.-built flatties can be bored 0.125-inch (1/8-inch-over). And there are always billet caps and girdles available. They're made in USA, complicated and produced in small numbers and that is reflected in the price of approximately $15,000/pair. When I think about it, an aluminum flathead block makes no sense, economic or otherwise. Keeping three sets, he sold the remaining 27 and then sold the tooling, dies, and plans to Don Ferguson Jr. You can find out more at Don's Web site, www.ardun.com. Not only has Don Ferguson continued to reproduce the heads, but he's taken the baton and run with it, the result being this high-grade 356-T6 aluminum block that now means it's possible to. There is also an Australian outfit, Flatattack Engineering, offering plenum-style, TPI-like systems controlled by either GM Delco or MoTeC computers. By the time the 60s arrived, engine coolant replaced gasoline as a method of providing heat probably a wise choice.
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