The Ford Barn

flatjack9 · 05-08-2022, 10:10 PM

I'm building an 8BA for a customer and he bought a new set of Offy cylinder heads. Apparently they have done some retooling and now they will accept a 3/4" reach spark plug without any spacers. I'm using NGK BR7ES plugs.

Tinker · 05-08-2022, 11:10 PM

Could be on new heads like you have. Buying used heads you always have the question if they where milled at some point.

Bored&Stroked · 05-09-2022, 07:39 AM

Thanks FlatJack . . . that is actually good news. There is absolutely no reason to NOT have 3/4" reach plugs in any of the newer heads being manufactured.

Tim Ayers · 05-09-2022, 08:32 AM

That is good news

Shoebox · 05-09-2022, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

That is good news

X3 On the good news. I checked my Offy heads purchased new in March and Yes, 3/4".

Ol' Ron · 05-09-2022, 10:11 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Checking the piston and valve clearance, then milling for best compression. Is just part of good engine building. Very few heads, new or used are just bolt on. they are not just for aesthetics.
Gramps

tubman · 05-09-2022, 11:14 AM

I'm glad to hear this. I was starting to wonder about Offenhauser. I bought a new set from Speedway Motors about 25 years ago, noticed this and complained about them back then. Because of the spark plug fitment problem, I never used them. I think now I will have them spot-faced on the top to take 1/2" reach plugs. I have two sets of Edmunds heads that take 1/2" reach plugs with nary a problem.

Tim Ayers · 05-09-2022, 11:25 AM

Offy is a unique company.

On one hand, I appreciate how "Old School" they are. Everything is still done by hand using dedicated machines.

On the other hand, I can't imagine, in this day and age, having to machine each and every casting by hand.

No wonder they had to raise their prices. The labor alone to machine all those castings by hand has to be astronomical.

Bored&Stroked · 05-09-2022, 09:09 PM

Or, they raised their prices because Edelbrock couldn't deliver a damn thing after they sold the company . . . took almost 2 years for them to get back into production.

I call the Offy price situation one of "no supply and high demand" . . . not a bad situation as a manufacturer, but that game only lasts until supply is back.

When Edelbrock is delivering a quality product at $600 less, it will be interesting to see how long those inflated prices last.

Side Note: Back in the day, Offy heads were always my second or third choice -- below Navarro, Edelbrock, Evans, etc . . .

tubman · 05-09-2022, 10:10 PM

I much prefer Edmunds because of the relocated spark plugs (not over the exhaust valve). Prices are getting up in the stratosphere lately. I have an extra drivers side Edmunds and am looking for a match (hint, hint).

Bored&Stroked · 05-10-2022, 05:31 AM

I have a NOS set of Edmunds for a 59AB . . . might just have to dig them out and checkout the sparkplug location again. Thanks for the reminder . . .

Charlie ny · 05-10-2022, 06:49 AM

Speaking of heads...Denny are you home yet ?
Charlie ny

tubman · 05-10-2022, 09:03 AM

Charlie,

Sent you a PM.

Denny

Ol' Ron · 05-10-2022, 01:18 PM

I would think that a 3/4" spark plug thread would be beneficial, allot of bunch available with that length. H10 is not the only plug and it 7/16 and strips very easy.
Gramps

05-08-2022, 10:10 PM	#1
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Offy heads I'm building an 8BA for a customer and he bought a new set of Offy cylinder heads. Apparently they have done some retooling and now they will accept a 3/4" reach spark plug without any spacers. I'm using NGK BR7ES plugs.

05-08-2022, 11:10 PM	#2
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Offy heads Could be on new heads like you have. Buying used heads you always have the question if they where milled at some point. Last edited by Tinker; 05-08-2022 at 11:21 PM.

05-09-2022, 07:39 AM	#3
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,062	Re: Offy heads Thanks FlatJack . . . that is actually good news. There is absolutely no reason to NOT have 3/4" reach plugs in any of the newer heads being manufactured.

05-09-2022, 08:32 AM	#4
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	Re: Offy heads That is good news

05-09-2022, 10:11 AM	#6
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: Offy heads Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Checking the piston and valve clearance, then milling for best compression. Is just part of good engine building. Very few heads, new or used are just bolt on. they are not just for aesthetics. Gramps

05-09-2022, 11:14 AM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Offy heads I'm glad to hear this. I was starting to wonder about Offenhauser. I bought a new set from Speedway Motors about 25 years ago, noticed this and complained about them back then. Because of the spark plug fitment problem, I never used them. I think now I will have them spot-faced on the top to take 1/2" reach plugs. I have two sets of Edmunds heads that take 1/2" reach plugs with nary a problem.

05-09-2022, 11:25 AM	#8
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	Re: Offy heads Offy is a unique company. On one hand, I appreciate how "Old School" they are. Everything is still done by hand using dedicated machines. On the other hand, I can't imagine, in this day and age, having to machine each and every casting by hand. No wonder they had to raise their prices. The labor alone to machine all those castings by hand has to be astronomical.

05-09-2022, 09:09 PM	#9
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,062	Re: Offy heads Or, they raised their prices because Edelbrock couldn't deliver a damn thing after they sold the company . . . took almost 2 years for them to get back into production. I call the Offy price situation one of "no supply and high demand" . . . not a bad situation as a manufacturer, but that game only lasts until supply is back. When Edelbrock is delivering a quality product at $600 less, it will be interesting to see how long those inflated prices last. *Side Note:* Back in the day, Offy heads were always my second or third choice -- below Navarro, Edelbrock, Evans, etc . . .

05-09-2022, 10:10 PM	#10
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Offy heads I much prefer Edmunds because of the relocated spark plugs (not over the exhaust valve). Prices are getting up in the stratosphere lately. I have an extra drivers side Edmunds and am looking for a match (hint, hint).

05-10-2022, 05:31 AM	#11
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,062	Re: Offy heads I have a NOS set of Edmunds for a 59AB . . . might just have to dig them out and checkout the sparkplug location again. Thanks for the reminder . . .

05-10-2022, 06:49 AM	#12
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: Offy heads Speaking of heads...Denny are you home yet ? Charlie ny

05-10-2022, 09:03 AM	#13
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Offy heads Charlie, Sent you a PM. Denny

05-10-2022, 01:18 PM	#14
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: Offy heads I would think that a 3/4" spark plug thread would be beneficial, allot of bunch available with that length. H10 is not the only plug and it 7/16 and strips very easy. Gramps