Power Nation Flathead

[jack orchard]

If you have secrets, why not tell us?
What would it cost you - money or otherwise?
We are the last generation that cares.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by jack orchard

If you have secrets, why not tell us?
What would it cost you - money or otherwise?
We are the last generation that cares.

Ronnieroadster (Ron San Giovanni) takes his "secrets" pretty seriously. And he has worked and experimented for decades developing these secrets, and has more than earned the right to keep them close to his heart. You see, Ron and his son are devout, hard-core, record-holding, world-class, die hard flathead racers. Ron is a member of the highly prestigious "200 MPH Club" at Bonneville. To belong to that fellowship is honor-enough, but to get there with flathead power speaks volumes. Ron also holds records in Limestone, Maine for doing 200.9 MPH in a mile and a half with a flathead. Ride along with him on an earlier run in Maine that netted him ONLY a 172 MPH run.....insane for a flatty! The second video below shows the car and some examples of the "expense" and investment that Ron has put forth to earn and learn all of his well-guarded secrets. Enjoy!! DD


https://youtu.be/t5xpBsWCTwo

https://youtu.be/oRt8ZoOg63Y?list=UU...lFhpAC-Sa6zvOQ





........

[V8COOPMAN]

.

Ronnie.....All of that whining racket I'm hearing as the car slows down after the run and continues to whine after the car has stopped....is that possibly an electric water pump we're hearing? DD

[Pete]

Originally Posted by jack orchard

If you have secrets, why not tell us?
What would it cost you - money or otherwise?
We are the last generation that cares.

Just about everything that we do to STREET engines has been posted on here or the HAMB in the last few years. All of these mods are well within reach of the average hot rodder.

I doubt there are any secrets concerning 150 hp street engines. As the saying goes, "even a cave man can do it".

If you want to spend 50K on a record setting Bonneville engine or a vintage circle track engine that you can lap the field in 5 laps then you will be admitted to the "secret" circle. It is just a matter of the bottom line. Education is NOT cheap and it took us at least 50 years and a million bucks to get here.

[56markII]

Originally Posted by jack orchard

If you have secrets, why not tell us?
What would it cost you - money or otherwise?
We are the last generation that cares.

Jack you could not have said it any better!!!!!
Yes we are the last generation who cares and for those with all of their "secrets" how many of you see the flatheads being ripped out, discarded, and replaced with a SBC or a crate engine??
I do not want a 200 HP engine because now we are seriously modifying this engine!
Another quote is all the information is on this forum. ??? In reality a bit of this so information in some cases is speculation, hearsay, or assumptions and other members have pointed this out as well.

I arrived at this conclusion sifting through discussions on cylinder heads, and camshafts! One can spend hours looking though the information and easily come to this conclusion.
As an example cylinder heads such as EAB and EAC. I ran across EAB is better, no EAC, is better and next it will be NFG is better🤣 as the alphabet discussion continues.

Next we get into the camshafts and this is another "kettle of fish"🤬
NO I most certainly don't want something that is over cammed that idles so rough it bounces around like Hoppy the Hopparoo or sounds like a twin cylinder John Deere tractor.
Now people don't get me wrong as I'm not wanting to flame or criticize but what we need is does it work or no it doesn't work from those who have tried and yes I will post what my findings are because one can spend hours sifting.

In my case, all I'm looking for is perhaps 10, 20, or maybe 30 HP more🙏 and this shouldn't be much of a secret or too much to ask for?
When we get into 160+ well now we are doing major mods, major cash money for something that may or may not work depending on information or mistakes made and for this category you can keep those secrets LMAO!


Now camshafts................I have an 8CM in use presently and also have a pair of EAB and many thanks to more than helpful forum members providing information has led me to figure out what I have! A simple fact that I never knew is look at the end and see what's stamped. Lo and behold I got an EAB👍
Now for the confusion and that is, am I gaining anything after spending time swapping along with a bit of cash for gaskets?

The confusion is the 8CM appears to have more lift vs the EAB possibly having a better duration? Is a swap from 8CM to EAB a waste of time or will it get me perhaps 5+ more HP?
What about the so called "mild" aftermarket camshaft or is it no better than a stock 8CM,EAB, or EAC?
Okay now cylinder heads?
8CM vs EAB or EAC OR is Ol Ron's valuable information about the .050 rule more important?? In other words if pretty much any head except for 8RT milled for a .050 will work, or is a milled EAB or EAC better?

Now maybe you can see what I mean by so much information to sift through for only small amounts?😆🤣😂
I'm looking for quite simply small amounts of gain with what I have on hand as both a hobby and fascination with these flatheads after all I'm driving around in a stock 71 year old car like a Cuban.


Oh I might add I know what its like to pull intakes while the engine is in the car! Years ago (early 80's) when I purchased my Mercury I made the mistake of using adjustable lifters. After a number of times pulling the intake to kill woodpeckers I assumed the new lifters were just seating into a used cam. Wrong! Along finally comes the internet where some mentioned these lifters can creep!! They now have instructions mentioning that if the bolt turns with insufficient resistance, to remove the bolt and place in a vice end for end and compress to squish the threads together🤬 Mine came with nothing but the box and lousy wrench and since then park my ass behind a valve grinder and I will set those valves whisper quiet with no creepers because I'm now 40 years into the trade as a mechanic.

Unfortunately I usually do things stock and don't modify which is why I and others are looking for answers especially for small amounts of gain.

[Ronnieroadster]

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Originally Posted by jack orchard

If you have secrets, why not tell us?
What would it cost you - money or otherwise?
We are the last generation that cares.

Jack please don't take my comment the wrong way. The mystery of the 200 HP flathead is what I'm referring to. Two flathead designs that are worth investigating are the Briggs and Stratton 5 HP engines as used in the Jr Dragster class and the second is the Harley flathead KR design each can be used for any generation interested. We are not the last generation to care about the flathead heck I'm presently helping young guys and a few girls with their flathead builds so you can be sure the end is not going to happen for a VERY long time.
Ronnieroadster