Rich Willam
 

I just found out that Rich passed away July 16. He wrote the book on the V-8 60. He was a very nice man and always willing to share information. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Ray

Re: Rich Willam
 

WOW so sad , what a loss !
Such knowledge also lost.
My thoughts & prayers also to his family & friends .
Tony

Re: Rich Willam
 

Thanks for letting us know. I talked to him and emailed info back and forth to him years ago. Bought his book as soon as it came out. Probably the most knowledgeable person I knew of on the little 60hp Flatheads. Rest in peace Rich Willim

Re: Rich Willam
 

His name was Rich Willim..the go to guy for the V8-60 flathead...

Roy Nacewicz is across the road from Rich..both used to work for Ford.

RIP Rich

Re: Rich Willam
 

Not all his all his wisdom and knowledge is lost.
His 2 sons know some.
He had 1 toolbox full of just specialty tools he made for the 60.
Porting and relieving templetes.
Toolbars for cutting custom valves and for making 1pc guides.
He took a lot with him and will be dearly missed.

Re: Rich Willam
 

Old thread but deserves a comment.
Several years ago Rich called me on the phone one evening.
At the time I had never heard of him and don't know how he found me. Anyway, he had heard of the V860 we had built in 1957 for our midget and wanted to know what we had that could beat the USAC national midget champ at the time. (Leader Card car driver Roger Ward) We only did one USAC race a year but had a clean sweep.
We probably talked for 2 hours. It was really neat. As it turned out he was using an almost exact same setup in his 135 hydro except he didn't have injectors and was 30 cubic inches smaller.
As I remember he was APBA class champ at least once.

Re: Rich Willam
 

Rich ran in the 136ci, 150ci and 2.5L Mod Class (all the same class just xhanged names through yhe years).
He stopped driving in 1972 but owned and campaigned a Limited Inboard Hydroplane till 1989 when his 1950 Lauterbach Powered by a 1937 V8-60 took a 3rd place in Trention MI.
Was the last time Rich had a boat in competition and was also the LAST Flathead Powered Hydroplane to place in the APBA.
His personal Vintage Hydroplane "Flying Debris" is still under restoration. His youngest will be building the .100" over 16 Mushroom Methanol fueled V860 for it.

Re: Rich Willam
 

By the way its WILLIM.
Rich Willim

Re: Rich Willam
 

Sorry to hear about Rich. Does anyone know where you can by his book, The V8-60, Ford's Little Powerhouse ? Thank you Fordbarners.

Re: Rich Willam
 

Im working on getting it reprinted because of the intrest still. Few more LEGAL hurtles to jump and I can call the printer.
The Copywrite is in my brother & mine names at this time.
Yes Im Rich's son.

Re: Rich Willam
 

Your Dad was one heck of a guy, I learned of his passing hear on the barn in various posts that were made. I had the pleasure of meeting him when he came to my house to pick up a 40' V860 and a load of parts that he ended up building for a customer. I spoke with him numerous times after and went to his place once, he was building a Lincoln V12 and relieving a V860 at the time. I also saw his hydroplane that was sitting there. I couldn't absorb enough info during that visit. He spoke highly of his sons....

Re: Rich Willam
 

I think Rich is probably the guy that I bought an Isky 404-A radius cam and lifters from - about 10 years ago. He said he used to work for Ford - was one Hell of a nice guy! God Bless him and his family.

Re: Rich Willam
 

Has to during this time.
Was the last V12 LZ I built in his garage.

Re: Rich Willam
 

fOR RICH WILLIM'S SONS AND ANYONE ELSE IN THE KNOW; iS Rich's "LITTLE POWERHOUSE" BOOK AVAILABLE AGAIN? iF SO, WHWRE CAN I PLACE AN ORDER?
tHANK YOU.

Re: Rich Willam
 

The reprint is coming soon....