What's right for your engine differs per application. He has even made some aluminum flathead blocks, with massive main caps and deep, sturdy skirts, for those interested in making ultimate flathead power. That first 50 G's supplied a blueprint -more or less- And that was all. Flathead gurus like Don Ferguson and Tony Baron strongly urge that hot rod engines run a harmonic damper. The best balance has been the subject of debate for over 60 years. 217 and 201 are only 4 bolt which you can see if the lower cover is off the bell housing. The times they were a-changin', and change was happening fast. Aside from his flathead speed equipment, he built parts for almost every engine that ran down the strip. 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. No detail has escaped Don's attention. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Chattanooga Area Hot Rodder Builds A Time Capsule, Make Plans NOW to Attend the Chattanooga Cruise In Toy Drive, Our Favorite Hot Rods from the 2018 NSRA Street Rod Nationals, Barn Find Report: 1947 ACF Brill Bus, The TenneSEEr. TMCP #537: Ask Rick Lessons Learned to Promote (or Dismiss) Employees; Plus an Easter Project Car Review Blowout! superchargers, which, like the heads, look period-correct and the case is filled with todays technology and outfitted with 4-71 helical-cut rotors. Some builders also recommend installing exhaust-port dividers to split the siamesed center exhaust ports. Besides, multicarb setups look cool. With modern flatheads routinely putting out 250-300 lb-ft of torque, the original trannies obviously arent up to the job. Theres a fine juggling act between compression and promoting proper transfer from the offset valves across the piston top. "You can grind the cam to get the lift and duration you want," Don says. H&H started in 1972 with rebuilding all early Ford Flathead engines from Model A, B's, T's and V8 Ford Flatheads from 1932-36, LB's, 59A's, 8BA's,V8 60's, Lincoln 337, Lincoln V12's and Y Block Ford and Mercury. Like all fads, once started, the process fed itself. What you see here, however, isn't just a pair of reproduction heads atop a Ford block but instead a brand-new, 284ci, all-aluminum improved block, reproduction Ardun heads, and vintage 4-71 blower (the only old part on the whole deal) bolted to a new manifold from Ken Austin. we're not talking about how much money you can spend breaking a record set by someone following the rules. The coupe is no stranger to awards, having won the Goodguys Hot Rod of the Year in 2019 and three Goodguys Pros Picks as well as a Best Rod at the Grand National Roadster Show. . The Thickstun two-carb high-rise intake (today marketed by Baron) is an excellent street setup and it even provides clearance for the stock generator. Finally, there are brand-new aluminum blocks and Ardun OHV conversion heads and valvetrains. Flatheads are old, ancient, obsolete technology. As the story goes, the owner really didnt want to part with the coupe but six months of perseverance finally netted Amie the decisive weekend of negotiating when a deal was made and the coupe was brought home. He offers spark plug tubes in two diameters: a reproduction of the originals, which will fit the original plugs, and a new style, narrower tube that accepts contemporary plugs and offers a little more room to clear the rockers, should you want to get more radical with the lift. In the end we should be so lucky to drive our end result as many miles as we traveled in our quest. Tony Baron says French blocks can be bored 0.250-over (1/4 inch). This lateral flow severely restricts flathead breathing capability, although it does promote what today's high-tech engineers term swirl and tumble, which enhances fuel mixing and combustion. The flathead blocks to get are those with a 3 3/16-inch bore. As its name implies, Reds Headers is the place to go for the widest selection of street-style headers. The first-design 32 through early 38 engines had only 21 cylinder-head studs and until mid 1936 even used poured babbit main bearings. 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. 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. This lateral flow severely restricts flathead breathing capability, although it does promote what todays high-tech engineers term swirl and tumble, which enhances fuel mixing and combustion. 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. The engine may feel better with 27-30 degrees total timing (as read on the crank), but Baron says it slows up the flame travel. It offers adapter kits to mate GM automatic transmissions and Ford C4 automatics to '49-'53 8BA blocks, as well as a variety of adapters to mate both early and late flatheads to most GM and Ford manual transmissions. There are over 50 different flathead intake manifolds, but they aren't all created equal. The bell housing mount is Chevrolet and I believe the water pump has a revision. Stromberg in England is producing new Strombergs again. After 1953, flathead production continued in other countries, most notably in Europe, where the engine continued to be used in French military vehicles through the 90s. TCMP #538: Pro-Touring Update with Larry Callahan: How To Create a Garage Studio and Upcoming Pro-Touring Events! 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. It was in the 40s that the Stewart-Warner Southwind used them in Fords. With such a small difference; its relatively easy to take a little off the Ford snout then slightly hone the inside of a Chevy balancer so it slips over the Ford crank. There is also an Australian outfit, Flatattack Engineering, offering plenum-style, TPI-like systems controlled by either GM Delco or MoTeC computers. He is now replicating S.Co.T. Whats right for your engine differs per application. Opens in a new window or tab. One solution is adopting a small-block Chevy damper. French blocks are hybrids, essentially a '49-'53 8BA in terms of deck height and front-end, but with the integral cast bellhousing and corresponding oil pan as found on the '38 1/2-'48 59A. Both the front and rear are equipped with an enhanced brake package wrapped around Baer discs featuring 11-inch rotors and appropriate calipers. Younger guys yearned for a simpler, back to basics approach. The originals still are. The new block is capable of much more horsepower because of additional webbing and four-bolt mains. Available in black t-shirt or white t-shirt. Recommended bottom-line street-gas-friendly compression ratios are between 7.5-8:1 on naturally aspirated engines and 6.5-7.0:1 with a blower. Only 200 original sets are known to exist, but fortunately, Ardun heads and associated conversion parts are back, reproduced in improved form by Don Ferguson of Ardun Enterprises. Ultimately, there are equal-length race headers available from Tatom Custom Engines. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements). The H&H Flatheads catalog has the complete line up of Flatheads compenents for your Flathead V8, V12 and other vintage motors. Al moved to So Cal with his family from Oklahoma in the 30s and started working in shops and garages. The bottom end is beefed with soli, A potential new kid on the block: Uncommon Engineerings working on a SOHC three-valve F, Mechanical solid and roller cams are available for both early and late blocks. Its everything you need to make the conversion. It will use a new oil pan and special bolt-on universal bellhousing that accepts most modern transmissions. These are the only 337 high compression cylinder heads on the market. Fast-forward nearly half a decade. Copyright 2000-2009 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Here you can find some details and specifcations for the newly engineered flathead block, not sure how old this information is? In fact, the growing flathead movement has basically sorted itself out into three distinct groups. But it didn't take long for the hot rodding community to learn about these conversion kits and how well they hopped up the flattie. As its name implies, Red's Headers is the place to go for the widest selection of street-style headers. Sometimes it takes just a better idea. Sharp 32 Super Dual Early Intake Manifold can accept either Holley 94s or Stromberg 97s. French blocks have some unique features and are covered separately. At around the same time, old-time hot rods gave way to modern musclecars and street machines. And that brings us to this all-steel 1936 Ford three-window coupe. Back in the day, four-barrel carbs had barely been invented. Newly Engineered Flathead V8 Block - Motor City Speed Equipment - Automotive American Newly Engineered Flathead V8 Block - Motor City Speed Equipment Advertisements Googling around as you do I initially found the story of Mark Kirby's newly engineered Flathead V8 block on the Coker Tyres website This is a quite old story from back in 2010 Kop 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. The present-day Arduns are CNC-machined using high-grade 356-T6 aluminum, have refined combustion chambers, and improved oiling and valvetrain components. And, of course, they also give you four rather than three exhaust ports for a more contemporary, balanced look.. Just where did this engine come from? A wide variety of headers are available for flathead engines, which certainly should not retain the restrictive stock exhaust manifolds. It offers adapter kits to mate GM automatic transmissions and Ford C4 automatics to 49-53 8BA blocks, as well as a variety of adapters to mate both early and late flatheads to most GM and Ford manual transmissions. 1937 1938 1939 Ford Merc Flathead V8 Block Street Strip Custom Original Crank. - Frank Comstock @Hemmings, Newly Engineered Flathead V8 Block - Motor City Speed Equipment. 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. But that just leaves these pristine virgin blocks for us normal street guys. The brothers, working with designer George Kudasch, greatly enhanced the breathing and combustion efficiency of the flathead by developing an overhead-valve cylinder head with hemispherical combustion chambers. Yeah, you should be impressed. Welcome to the web site of H&H Flatheads. He was the first to run a roots style 371 blower on a destroked 24 stud motor 176c.i. Those streamliners we mentioned earlier in the story are among the Ferguson's current stable of salt-assault vehicles. Correct-length flathead 1.800 intake/1.600 exhaust valves are available from flathead specialists like Baron Racing. 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. 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. It was great to meet Mark and Phil, and we hope they have a safe trip back to the cold and snowy territory called Michigan. Hilborn and Ardun Enterprises offer EFI conversions that look like old-time stacks but with EFI nozzles. Besides the Ford flathead, H&H also specializes in Ardun conversions as well as rebuilding other vintage engines including Y-Block Ford, Nailhead Buicks and Chrysler Hemis. Large-diameter, unshrouded valves combined with a proper combustion chamber configuration and piston design are needed to promote the proper transfer area from the flatheads valves to the far end of the chamber over the piston tops. Back in the day, four-barrel carbs had barely been invented. Automotive American Classic Vintage & Modern, Googling around as you do I initially found the story of Mark Kirbys newly engineered Flathead V8 block on the Coker Tyres website, This is a quite old story from back in 2010, This page led to me to the Motor City Speed Equipment (no longer available) Website. Fel-Pro and Victor continue to make head gaskets too. 226: Big News for The Custom Car Revival! The only drawback with the Ardun heads is cost. Before he joined General Motors, Zora Arkus-Duntov, with his brother Yura, operated Ardun Mechanical Corporation in New York. https://www.howacarworks.com/engine-block, https://www.cokertire.com/blog/top-sminum-flathead. Eventually you could build a whole street rod out of aftermarket commodity parts. Apparently, the old boys network doesnt want any youngbloods crashing their exclusive country club. All tidier and more efficient than original. Baron Racing offers this hub that adapts the 6 1/4-inch-od, Dont want to do any machining and need to retain the stock pulleys and beltdrives? I once asked him if he'd considered aluminum and I think he replied that they'd be on the market now. Whatever, originals are rare, which explains why a select few individuals have looked into reproducing them. Although new aftermarket iron blocks are reputedly under development, right now a real-world solution to finding a good core for your flathead is to start with a brand-new French block. Remember, this Flathead is brought to life through an Autotrend EFI system requiring the use of modern electronics and a means of control. Heck, not even a front door, really. This is an amazing process. Research has shown there's relatively little air movement over the base of the block. Mooneyes also offers throttle-bodies that resemble Strombergs. Small-block Chevy valves remain popular, but with reduced-base-circle cams they may be too short to permit proper lash adjustment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). The new Arduns have lighter 11/32-inch-stem stainless steel valves and accept modern 12mm, Save another 70 pounds with Arduns new aluminum block. Most hot rod engines use oversize valves. He works with a couple different cam grinders and will help spec the stick to deliver the poweror the lopedesired. The search lasted about two years before Amie found the right car. He loves Flatheads so much that he created his own and cast it out of aluminum! Combining the Likes of Old Time Nostalgia with Todays Technology and Durability. Mostly true, but the French military used flatheads as late as the early '90s and "ancient" flathead technology has evolved to run over 300 mph at Bonneville. The single and twin u, Gemini Electronic Fuel Injection looks like traditional mechanical fuel injection but is a, Roadrunner Engineering offers complete kits including beltdrives for the Weiand 142 and 17, Uncommon Engineering specializes in, well, uncommon setups-modern renditions of the most f, Dont want a front-mount? It's been over 50 years since the last Ford flathead V-8 was commercially produced in the U.S. 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. Don has also raised the floor of the intake and exhaust ports to better move the air. The man behind it all is Mark Kirby of Motor . They fit original 39-53 blocks, French blocks, and (perhaps the ultimate evolution) Fergusons new aluminum block. Provided you have an original bellhousing, you can use available Trans-Dapt adapters to install Ford passenger-car transmissions from the mid 60s to the late 70s behind the 49-53 flatties. It has a f, Block mods for adjustable lifters: With the windowed solid flat-tappet lifter, drill a sma, Built to Barons specs, this 12-quart pan with integral windage tray fits 59A and French i, Baron Racings full-flow oil system: Plug the existing main-feed lower lateral port at the, Drill a 3/8-inch hole from the bottom of the cam bore to the rear main journal (photo 2, E, Baron Racing intakes include the Thickstun two-carb high-rise (left), shown here with Chan, The original Edelbrock four-barrel carb intakes were designed for small, now-obsolete, Car, Wilcap is reproducing Sharp intake manifolds. $299.00. The 2-inch rod journals are very popular because their diameter and width permits the use of readily available 215-inch-style Buick/Olds/Rover V-8 bearings. Good question. Most stock flatheads never came with an effective harmonic damper. Powered by vBulletin Younger guys yearned for a simpler, back to basics approach. Flathead Myths courtesy of Tony Baron High-compression is the way to go. The block also has a number of upgrade internally, in terms of its intake and exhaust ports, as well as its valve guides. No signage, not even a number on the front door. In the old days the hot ticket was dropping a '49-'53 Mercury 4-inch-stroke crank in place of the Ford 3.75-inch-stroke unit. The Motor City/Shadow Rods block is an entirely different piece. Learn how your comment data is processed. "I can make whatever you want, but 350 horsepower in a hot rod will smoke the tires all day long.". The present-day Arduns are CNC-machined using high-grade 356-T6 aluminum, have refined combustion chambers, and improved oiling and valvetrain components.