Ford Flathead dragster build

[denverflatheader]

Andrew – two more pieces of the puzzle in hand, you have to remove (?) some material from engine block to fit mushroom part of lifters, or maybe already done.  Looking marvelous : )  DF 

[andrewb]

I have magnesium bronze bushings to insert into the lifter bore then I will have it back spot face cut to accommodate the larger foot of the lifter. I know that the gains are probably minimal with this style of lifter but it's something I've always wanted to try.

Andrew

[denverflatheader]

Andrew - one of three possible outcomes with your mushroom lifter design over stock Ford tappets; negative change, no change or positive improvement (engine dyno would verify exact results from stock tappet to mushroom lifter).  The next best thing is use what’s available, pencil and paper for me : )  I draw cartoon sketches, helps me visualize easier.  Based on my cartoon with stock Ford fh V8 cam, your mushroom lifter idea has obvious advantage over stock tappet.  Plus your lifters have additional merit being lighter and stronger.  I see “much” positive improvement over stock…  DF

[andrewb]

That's a great visualizaion DF.

[denverflatheader]

my pleasure, enjoyed sketching it out : ) 

[andrewb]

My father-in-laws motto is “I don’t what to buy it; I just want to borrow it”. Back in the mid 90’s he borrowed these solid machined billet heads designed by Virgil Hanson. He ran this best time in the injected fuel flathead, something like 8.48@155. When it came time to buy them, he opted to return them instead. Luckily for me Virgil still had them and I decided to buy them.

The chamber design is exactly what I was looking for with the main combustion area moved over the exhaust valve and accommodates a pop-up piston.  Not much left for me to do with them except to find someone who can O-ring them, if it’s even possible.

Anxiously waiting for the Moldex crank, GRP rods, and billet cam blank I ordered to arrive.

Andrew

[andrewb]

Woo Hoo! The GRP connecting rods finally showed up. They're like little bars of silver, but probably cost more. Here's a picture of one of the little beauties next to a stock Ford Flathead rod. Now I can get started on ordering the pistons.

Andrew

[GlennLever]

Pretty!

[denverflatheader]

Andrew – good choice (grp in Denver).  I know of another vintage engine ran grp rods very successfully.  Met a guy from the northwest last month (WalterPearce), enjoyed visiting with him and his vintage race car.  DF

p.s.  I like the spark plug location on those Hansen's too (moved closer to piston) maybe less timing. 

[fedonnitro]

Andrew I look forward to watching your build. I have a soft spot for the flathead stuff. My brother has a 50 Ford pickup with it's original V-8. Before dad died we had talked about doing a flatty in a K-88 style digger. Are those rears the small window Halibrands? Very cool deal!!
Carl

[andrewb]

Hi Fedonnitro,

No, not Halibrands but Romeo Palamides wheels. I just started another Flathead project in addition to this dragster. It's a 50's style wood hydroplane boat similar to the one in this picture. Nothing extreme with the engine for it, just a few standard hop ups.

Andrew

[GlennLever]

Neat.

[andrewb]

As I sit here an wait on my crankshaft and cam (6 months and counting) there's not a lot more I can do on the engine. I decided on pulling parts together for the rear end. I ordered the Mopar Performance Aluminum Case ('742' style). I plan on going with the Mark Williams aluminum spool and axles. I'm going to start out running 3.55 gears and have found 3 manufactures of them: Motive, Nitro, and Yukon. Are any of the makers better than the other. Are there any US made ring and pinion gears. I'm kind of limited with the ratio I'm running.

Thanks,

Andrew

[dreracecar]

What needs to be considered is that the gears you are looking at street or race gears, If they are street gears then they need to be softened up a little for impact resistance instead of hard for longevity

[andrewb]

Bored. Slow work week and I'm waiting for parts. Decided to name my future FED.