The Ford Barn

Willit Stop · 09-24-2017, 10:07 AM

I went to a local car show a few weeks ago and briefly talked to the owner of a blue '36 roadster (I think he's a member here).His flatty was supercharged and had cast brass heads.I've never seen or heard of them before and must be rare.Does anyone know anything about these heads? Just curious.
Thanks.

Russ/40 · 09-24-2017, 11:20 AM

From the ones I've seen in photos over the years, they were used in marine applications.

flatheadmurre · 09-24-2017, 11:42 AM

Federal Mogul had some called termo-flow.
Sure look different...and cost an arm and a leg...

RalphM · 09-24-2017, 11:43 AM

Bronze actually, made by federal mogul. Pretty rare birds nowadays.

sidevalve8ba · 09-24-2017, 11:44 AM

Federal-Mogul made them. I believe they were a bronze alloy.

rotorwrench · 09-24-2017, 03:21 PM

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The bad thing about the ones I've seen is that they have no water jacket. They look nice but would not be very practical. Some folks like the WOW factor more than something that works well. Race boat engines didn't use a radiator so they don't warm up the same as a car engine and don't really run for long periods. This is why the bronze heads are relatively rare.

Willit Stop · 09-24-2017, 04:58 PM

I don't remember seeing fins.The top surface was flat...I think.

Ol' Ron · 09-24-2017, 05:43 PM

don't think they have any watr jackets??

Flatout · 09-24-2017, 09:48 PM

I've seen iron heads polished and brass plated, but that over 60 years ago.

I have a couple sets of Federal Mogul heads that are are cast bronze with aluminum tops, and they do have water passages.

v8fordman · 09-26-2017, 08:22 PM

I believe you will find them on the McGee roadster...one of the most iconic hot rods ever. I saw it being restored at the SoCal Speed shop and I don't think there were any water outlets. That's been years ago and my memory isn't what it used to be.

RalphM · 09-26-2017, 10:55 PM

Picture I posted has the water outlets, and Sidevalves picture has the ports for the water outlets. But, it does not appear they go through the entire head surface. Only a way to get the coolant out of the block into the radiator.

09-24-2017, 10:07 AM	#1
Willit Stop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Eureka Calif. Posts: 1,007	Cast brass heads I went to a local car show a few weeks ago and briefly talked to the owner of a blue '36 roadster (I think he's a member here).His flatty was supercharged and had cast brass heads.I've never seen or heard of them before and must be rare.Does anyone know anything about these heads? Just curious. Thanks.

09-24-2017, 11:20 AM	#2
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Cast brass heads From the ones I've seen in photos over the years, they were used in marine applications.

09-24-2017, 11:42 AM	#3
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: Cast brass heads Federal Mogul had some called termo-flow. Sure look different...and cost an arm and a leg...

09-24-2017, 03:21 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,011	Re: Cast brass heads Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The bad thing about the ones I've seen is that they have no water jacket. They look nice but would not be very practical. Some folks like the WOW factor more than something that works well. Race boat engines didn't use a radiator so they don't warm up the same as a car engine and don't really run for long periods. This is why the bronze heads are relatively rare.

09-24-2017, 04:58 PM	#7
Willit Stop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Eureka Calif. Posts: 1,007	Re: Cast brass heads I don't remember seeing fins.The top surface was flat...I think.

09-24-2017, 05:43 PM	#8
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: Cast brass heads don't think they have any watr jackets??

09-24-2017, 09:48 PM	#9
Flatout Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Damascus Oregon Posts: 160	Re: Cast brass heads I've seen iron heads polished and brass plated, but that over 60 years ago. I have a couple sets of Federal Mogul heads that are are cast bronze with aluminum tops, and they do have water passages.

09-26-2017, 08:22 PM	#10
v8fordman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lexington, NC Posts: 1,090	Re: Cast brass heads I believe you will find them on the McGee roadster...one of the most iconic hot rods ever. I saw it being restored at the SoCal Speed shop and I don't think there were any water outlets. That's been years ago and my memory isn't what it used to be.

09-26-2017, 10:55 PM	#11
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,684	Re: Cast brass heads Picture I posted has the water outlets, and Sidevalves picture has the ports for the water outlets. But, it does not appear they go through the entire head surface. Only a way to get the coolant out of the block into the radiator.