Update on heads.

[Tod]

As I move along on the various head projects I had Don Snyder run about 10 extra 6:1 cores for use in making some sample aluminum heads in that configuration. The pattern is already cut for 6:1 aluminum and now cores are ready.

I also have molds for the Winfield style, and the dual plug. I just finished up the CNC work on the pattern that has been in my machine so I can get moving on the rest of the CNC work on the head projects.

Over the last couple of weeks I was able to finish up the water jacket model for the Winfield, so I can cut that now that the machine is freed up.

It is moving slowly but surely.

Tod

[Juggler]

Great news Tod - thanks for the update

[Hotrodfil]

Thanks Tod.

[Jonnyenglish]

Yep thanks Tod for the update, its nice to know whats happening. I assume that means the cast heads are progressing as well?

[hardtimes]

Hey Tod,
Thanks for update on progress !
Any pictures help too, for us who go for idea that ..one is worth a thousand words !

[Russ/40]

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Originally Posted by Tod

As I move along on the various head projects I had Don Snyder run about 10 extra 6:1 cores for use in making some sample aluminum heads in that configuration. The pattern is already cut for 6:1 aluminum and now cores are ready.

I also have molds for the Winfield style, and the dual plug. I just finished up the CNC work on the pattern that has been in my machine so I can get moving on the rest of the CNC work on the head projects.

Over the last couple of weeks I was able to finish up the water jacket model for the Winfield, so I can cut that now that the machine is freed up.

It is moving slowly but surely.

Tod

Todd, when do you sleep?

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Jonnyenglish

Yep thanks Tod for the update, its nice to know whats happening. I assume that means the cast heads are progressing as well?

Yes, the cast heads are the Winfields. And, any of these can be made iron or aluminum. I would obviously except the 6:1s because that is the same as the iron heads of Snyder's.

Tod

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Russ/40

Todd, when do you sleep?

At night, mostly.

Tod

[Tod]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Hey Tod,
Thanks for update on progress !
Any pictures help too, for us who go for idea that ..one is worth a thousand words !

I'll send you some by email.

Tod

[waxhead]

Tod, thanks for the update.

Hardtimes, are you going to post the pics for all to see ??

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by waxhead

Tod, thanks for the update.

Hardtimes, are you going to post the pics for all to see ??

You betcha! This is a VERY important project for most all of us guys/gals afflicted with A/B=itis ! Some initially with more enthusiasm for a 'new' thing, IMO and experience, is normal/natural. But, when this new equipment projects come to fruition, those who have the wait/see attitude will jump in, and this is also normal with new stuff. We don't want to be the guienia(?) pig in an experiment, eh !

However, if you've been following this guy , Tod, and his work from the beginning, HE is not a beginner and has proven products and track record ! Hey, a whole bunch of you guys world wide have been using Tods product for years already !
We are , indeed, fortunate to have creative people with us who deserve our support.

BTW..One other example of our benefits from creative people that immediately comes to mind : RYAN ! Without him and his creativity/generosity, this whole thing wouldn't even be possible, IMO. Thanks Ryan.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by waxhead

Tod, thanks for the update.

Hardtimes, are you going to post the pics for all to see ??

I've rec'd a few pictures of Winfield 'molds' etc. Do not know how to transfer them here. Pm me your email and I'll send you what I had rec'd !

[waxhead]

PM sent

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by waxhead

PM sent

I've sent , or tried to send pics unsuccessfully to several. That is , pics rec'd via email. If you get these, maybe you can post them here. These new fangled machines just frustrate me. Hm , I've heard that that's why FORD didn't introduce them back when

[Tod]

I also have a couple of pictures of a 6:1 aluminum head. It is finished. Ready for impreg and then put on a car.

Tod

[waxhead]

Tod,

Feel free to send me the pics and I will post them if you want.

Scott

[waxhead]

Pics from Hardtimes, thanks mate

[Tod]

Originally Posted by waxhead

Tod,

Feel free to send me the pics and I will post them if you want.

Scott

Scott,

I sent you 2 pictures of an aluminum version of Snyder's 6:1 head. We have cores and are ready to sample it beyond the first one I made. Maybe they could be posted in a separate thread.

Tod

[waxhead]

Originally Posted by Tod

I also have a couple of pictures of a 6:1 aluminum head. It is finished. Ready for impreg and then put on a car.

Tod

Here are the pics

[Tod]

Originally Posted by waxhead

Pics from Hardtimes, thanks mate

The 3 pics above are (from left to right)

1) Mold half and core for the aluminum dual plug.
2) Mold half for the iron (or aluminum) Winfield.
3) Mold insert for the Winfield.

The 'crow's foot' insert is on the way.

Tod

[Tom Wesenberg]

That aluminum head sure looks nice.

Other than weight savings, what is the advantage of the aluminum head over the same compression cast iron head?

Are there any disadvantages? Thanks

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

That aluminum head sure looks nice.

Other than weight savings, what is the advantage of the aluminum head over the same compression cast iron head?

Are there any disadvantages? Thanks

I think the advantage is bragging rights. "I have aluminum this...and I have aluminum that." Maybe I'm wrong, but there are so many parts that are made out of aluminum that cost more and do nothing for performance and the weight savings is useless except in the mind. Unless you are making money off of the weight savings (like running a top-fuel drag car) what difference does it make if your car weighs 20-30 lbs less??????

Ideas?

Tod

[Flathead]

I think cast iron has more advantages than aluminum, aside from the "bling" factor.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

That aluminum head sure looks nice.

Other than weight savings, what is the advantage of the aluminum head over the same compression cast iron head?

Are there any disadvantages? Thanks

'disadvantages' ?
Well, the biggest disadvantage that I think about, is the aluminum oxide that forms over time if proper care is not given to prevent this. Aluminum has the propensity to react with 'stuff' in the coolant, with differing metals (electrolysis) and with different expansion rates than cast iron/copper, etc.
Different expansion rates may be cause for head gasket leaks/problems.

However, I'm guessing that aluminum is now made with BETTER composition to make it more durable for making engine heads last. Tod would most likely be able to speak to this aspect of aluminum useage.
BTW...Yup, I like it for the bling and lighter weight...hey, in case I ever get to Bville But, for HP I'll run the new cast iron head !

[Brother Hesekiel]

Almost every car has aluminum heads now. There are a gazillion and a half Chevrolet small blocks running aluminum heads, and the sky's not falling. I would buy an aluminum head for the weight savings and paint it Ford green like the rest of the engine.

[Dodge]

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A cast iron head will make more power if both the cast iron and aluminum head have
the same compression ratio. To make the same power you need to raise the compression
ratio on the aluminum head. Aluminum dissipates the heat too quickly you need to keep
the heat in the combustion chamber. Winfield said: If you want to make power use
cast iron, if you want to boil water use aluminum.

[Tod]

Today I got to pull the last of the work out of the pattern CNC, which means I can cut the water jacket core plug for the Winfields. I'm going to try to get samples cast by the end of the year.

Tod

[zzlegend]

Been following this thread and the block thread. Can't wait to see the final completions. Fine job Tod.

[Tod]

OK, I'm starting to cut the water jacket core plug for the Winfield 6:1, non-crow's foot heads. To make things economical, I need to make at least 20 cores. I have 3 people in line already. Anybody else planning on getting one of this configuration? I'm going to do a run no matter what, but even verbal commitments are valued. The pattern is already cut and one half of he mold is sampled. I'm hoping to cast some by the end of the year.

Tod

[Dodge]

I'm in when you get to a cast iron crows foot.

[colin1928]

Originally Posted by Dodge

I'm in when you get to a cast iron crows foot.

me also X2

[waxhead]

I'm also waiting for the crows foot cast iron head.

[Tod]

OK, you crow's foot guys. I will be starting to model that chamber asap. The same water jacket should work on both chambers. The crow's foot will just have the extra metal where the radius pushes out into the chamber.

I might just draw that up today. Easy alteration.

Tod

[Hotrodfil]

If one of the interested parties is our man Juggs, I'll add one to his parcel if it helps.

[Juggler]

Yup I'm down for a crows foot please

Cheers

Juggs

[Tod]

OK, good to know. I started set up of the material to cut the core plug and might be able to start cutting today. I have a small load of parts to take to Snyder's this afternoon so that might slow me down some. I'm also setting up to run some headers for them and getting ready to program a new part for Model T's. Plus, I am starting to machine another aluminum Cleveland block.

C'mon, Thanksgiving, I need a day off!!!!

Tod

[Juggler]

Will the dual plug be available in cast iron also?

Pretty please?

[Jonnyenglish]

The crows foot seems more popular? I was wanting something around 6:1, should I really be going for the crows foot, I assume thats starts at just over 6:1??
May as well get it right, so the wait is worth it.

[Jonnyenglish]

Originally Posted by Hotrodfil

If one of the interested parties is our man Juggs, I'll add one to his parcel if it helps.

Could we sort something out for shipping to UK??

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Juggler

Will the dual plug be available in cast iron also?

Pretty please?

Absolutely. I was planning to make a sample iron when I make the 20 that Snyder wants right off the bat.

Tod

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Jonnyenglish

The crows foot seems more popular? I was wanting something around 6:1, should I really be going for the crows foot, I assume thats starts at just over 6:1??
May as well get it right, so the wait is worth it.

I thought the regular chamber was 6:1 and the crow's foot is 7:1.

Tod

[Tod]

I just picked up 10 cores at Snyder's for the 6:1 heads. I wanted those to make some aluminum 6:1 heads that utilize the new strengthening ribs added to Don's core box. It also allows me to test fit the cores into my new mold set-up. Fit just perfect. I smiled.

Right now I need to cut a crow's foot chamber insert, the 6:1 chamber insert, and the Winfield water jacket, which is in the machine right now.

I have a sample block being cleaned up at the foundry an am anxious to get that in the shop to play with. Gotta have something to do to stay busy.

Tod

[Hotrodfil]

Originally Posted by Jonnyenglish

Could we sort something out for shipping to UK??

I'm sure we could.

[Jonnyenglish]

Originally Posted by Tod

OK, I'm starting to cut the water jacket core plug for the Winfield 6:1, non-crow's foot heads. To make things economical, I need to make at least 20 cores. I have 3 people in line already. Anybody else planning on getting one of this configuration? I'm going to do a run no matter what, but even verbal commitments are valued. The pattern is already cut and one half of he mold is sampled. I'm hoping to cast some by the end of the year.

Tod

Ok Im sticking with the 6:1.

[Tod]

The Winfield water-jacket core plug is cutting right now. I modeled up the crow's foot version also.

Tod

[hardtimes]

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Originally Posted by Tod

The Winfield water-jacket core plug is cutting right now. I modeled up the crow's foot version also.

Tod

Wow, that this is great news...second time in last two days !

I've got some heavy iron (B block) just waiting for some more heavy iron and it sounds like ...won't be long, eh
Who says that you can not get a HEAD in this world

[Tod]

I finished cutting one side of the core plug for the Winfields but it looks like there will be a delay in getting to the other side for a couple of days as I am having trouble getting a newly repaired spindle drive to orient the spindle properly in my Mazak. At the same time this repair failed to work my engine block machine developed a glitch in the Z axis signal which means it is not going to do any machining until I fix that. Not sure yet just what the problem is.

For the record - this is very bad, as it leaves me virtually without the capacity to make a living.

Tod

[Purdy Swoft]

Not good !!! I'm sure that you will solve the problem.

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

Not good !!! I'm sure that you will solve the problem.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Turns out, I was able to 1) get my Mazak working with some adjustments to the CPU board dip switches that are basically going around the problem, and 2) get the block machine over the axis hurdle, at least for now.

I had to run a Thomas head for Snyder so I used that to test my new CPU configuration and re-programming of the part for the actual repairs that were done to the drive. All of the time spent on the phone yesterday and in emails was basically worthless. I had to figure the stuff out myself, yet again. Maybe I should just go into business fixing CNC machines. It sure pays better!

Things look a little better right now.

Tod

[Jonnyenglish]

Thats bad luck Tod, these things are sent to try us. Sounds like you can work through it though, hopefully.

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Jonnyenglish

Thats bad luck Tod, these things are sent to try us. Sounds like you can work through it though, hopefully.

I seem to get a lot of testing. But, as of today all my fixes have worked.

I was at the foundry today looking over a Cleveland block and making sure I have a Model A block to start more machine work on. Those 2 blocks and some Snyder Model T parts are supposed to be delivered early next week.

Tod

[Tod]

As of today, the Winfield water jacket core plug is totally finished on the deck side and all roughed out on the top side ready for the finish cutting path. Should be ready for the core shop next week.

Tod

[waxhead]

Good news

[Jonnyenglish]

Yep, good news, sounds like things are progressing.

[Tod]

I recently sent pics of the progress to a guy that sent a deposit. If anyone else who is wanting one would like to see pictures PM me.

Tod