Flathead V8 Twin Distributor timing cover i am making

[tjw]

]A new Flathead V8 Twin distributor timing cover i am making and it's off to the machinist. This new timing cover takes twin 8ba distributors / magneto's when you are using twin plug heads on your Flathead V8. We will be supplying this timing cover as a kit to suit 8ba distributors which will include a Mac's Speed specially designed electronic ignition kit.

TWIN V DISTRIBUTOR TIMING COVER NEWS UP DATE.

I have finished the Twin V timing cover and is now fitted with two Mac Speed electronic converted 8ba distributors as shown in the photo's below.
The Twin V timing cover and the two electronic distributors have been fitted to the engine in the photo and test run with great success.

I HAVE A VIDEO OF THIS ENGINE RUNNING, with HOGAN Dual Plug Heads. and Twin electronic distributors fitted to it. For some reason i can not load this video onto this page. If you wish to see this video please send me a message with your email address and i will email a copy to you.

This conversion will be available as a bolt on kit or the Twin V timing cover can be purchased separately. I will be listing PRICES and further information about this kit in the next few days. If you have any questions please message me and i will try and reply as quick as i can.

[RalphM]

That came out looking great! When do you plan to go into full production with them?
That will look so cool on the front of a flathead. I would like to have one, although I don't know if I could afford the heads to go with it.

[Andy]

Two different distributers? It looks like they would turn in opposite directions. The ones I have seen pictures of had the distributers both being driven from the same side of the drive gear.

[tubman]

Andy,

I tried to visualize what you are saying, and all I ended up with is a headache!

[Andy]

Visualize them both horrizontal. Just imagine them spread out. One to the left and one to the right. They could be on one shaft. One would turn one way and the other opposite. The only way it would work with the way it is is if the distibuters were driven with different opposite cut gears. It looks like the shafts are in the same plane so that is not the case.
Maybe he is going to use a 318 distributer on one side and a 383 on the other.

[Kurt in NJ]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

perhaps one dist can be used for running in reverse---they will turn opposite directions

[tubman]

OK, I think I get it now. The distributor on the (American) drivers side would have to have a specially reverse cut gear just to mesh with the cam gear, which would cause it to run backwards.

[27lizzie]

drivers side would rotate in its normal direction the passenger side would be reversed because it is running on the back side of the gear

[Ross F-1]

What is the advantage of two distributors? Are they both 8-cyl d's with dual plug heads, or are they each a 4-cyl distributor?

[donald1950]

would need a 4 lobe cam in each distributor, two cpils.. would have some great coil saturation. if one distributor runs backwards, just wire plug wires backwards..

[Mart]

The distributors will have to be running with one reversed, because as Andy says, one is on the opposite side of the gear. The cam gear is shared so special gears can't be used to reverse the rotation of the 2nd unit. (back to "normal"). The conversion I saw previously by Nutrocker had both distributors on the same side, but the second one transposed 90 degrees clockwise.

[RalphM]

One has a reversed gear, both are 8 cyl distributors, designed to run dual plug heads.
I would like to see the timing specs. On a set of Elco Twin plug heads, which plug would fire first, or would both be at the same time?

[Frank Miller]

Which way the distributor turned would not matter, you just need to put the plug wires in the right hole. The thing to worry about is the advance would work backwards. I suppose you could time the distributors so one fired before the other to increase the spark time. I wonder how effective this whole setup is?

[flatheadmurre]

Isn´t the idee to be able to fire up the mix faster so you can get more power.
Fuelmix burns from the plug out and takes a certain amount of time to light up.
Starting at 2 points gets less distance to travel until all is burning.
This is more of an issue running 12000rpm i guess...
Production cars used twin plugs with one plug firing after the other to get better combustion/emissions.

[Kahuna]

The only advantage I see is the COOL factor

[RalphM]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

The only addvantage I see is the COOL factor

That's the part I like best!

[40 Deluxe]

OK, let's picture a timing cover with one distributor in the stock location but with a movable mounting base so we can rotate the entire distributor. Let's rotate the distributor 90 degrees down. Is it still turning the same direction? Let's go another 90 degrees, and then 90 degrees more. At what position does the distributor suddenly start turning the opposite direction?? Will the gears get damaged by the sudden flip-flop?

[JWL]

Well, it will retain normal shaft rotation if you don't mind having the distributor upside-down.

[tjw]

Guys with our twin distributor timing cover set up the reverse rotation of the second distributor gear is not an issue. We will be selling the twin distributor timing cover with a especially designed Mac's Speed 8ba distributor electronic ignition kit to over come this. Please re read the info at the top of the page. Thanks.

[Ol' Ron]

I'd like to know what logic was used to locate the spark plugs? Why wasn't a plug located in the transfer area? There must be a reason for these locations, although I can't figger out why??

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by RalphM

One has a reversed gear, both are 8 cyl distributors, designed to run dual plug heads.
I would like to see the timing specs. On a set of Elco Twin plug heads, which plug would fire first, or would both be at the same time?

I have done a few of the packards for the dual plug and every one has the plugs firing at the same time..

[Ol' Ron]

The GM Pontiac Dist has opposite rotation.

[Bored&Stroked]

It is not as simple as just saying one runs backwards . . . when you order a magneto for instance, you specify the rotation. The rotation influences the advance mechanisms, how the points are mounted (direction they face), where the lubrication pads are, etc.. So, in the end - the distributors/magnetos need to be designed/setup for the direction of rotation.

Just wanted to make sure you all think through the details - before you head down this path

[Ol' Ron]

I was refering to the use of SBC GM dist. which are very comingly used. The Pontiac rotates in the opposite direction so the advance curve can be tailored to what ever you want. Yes, for the big buck guys this is immaterial. corse, this whole system is pretty big bucks.

[1931flathead]

kind of hard to sell with out a price

[tjw]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have not set a price yet waiting on machining cost to come in.

[Jack E/NJ]

Ol'Ron>>>I'd like to know what logic was used to locate the spark plugs? Why wasn't a plug located in the transfer area? There must be a reason for these locations, although I can't figger out why?? >>>

The TA seems about halfway between the plugs. Guess it might have some effect if the plugs are timed to fire at different intervals depending on flow rate?

Jack E/NJ

[Bored&Stroked]

My guess is that there wasn't any really formal means to determine the locations and/or if there was even a performance advantage. Also, I doubt it would even be possible to time them to actually fire at exactly the same time and/or offset the timing to aid in combustion - who knows how fast the flame front travels in the chamber . . . based on all the different timing conditions that happen in an engine. It would be fun to have an engine dyno and test various timing situations - including using just one or the other plug (very different locations). I think the 'cool factor' is just about the only reason to run dual ignitions - which is fine by me!

[RalphM]

Any updates on the dual dist front covers?

[Lawrie]

We run dual plugs on our dragster,two separate IGN setups,we fire one set of plugs just after the other,always ment to run the engine on a dyno and adjust them,but it goes good so we didn't bother.
Lawrie

[tjw]

6-11-16 My new Twin distributor timing cover news update. I picked up today the first of my Twin distributor timing covers and it's looking great. I have added a couple of photo's.

[flatheadmurre]

And what we all are waiting for....can we afford one ?

[RalphM]

Drum roll....ddddddddddddddddddd!

[Seth Swoboda]

I couldn't keep it running, lol. I struggle at times with one carburetor and distributor.

[1931flathead]

you would have to have the heads to make it work

[tjw]

FLATHEAD V8 TWIN PLUG ENGINES.
I have now finished the Twin V timing cover and it has been fitted with two Mac Speed electronic converted 8ba distributors.
The Twin V timing cover and the two electronic distributors were fitted to the engine in the photo's and test run.

I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE THIS ENGINE RUNNING with the Twin V timing cover and twin electronic distributors fitted to it. For some reason i can not load this video on this page . If you wish to see this video please send me a message with your email address and i will email a copy to you.

This conversion will be available as a bolt on kit or the Twin V timing cover can be purchased separately. I will be listing further information about the kit together with prices in the next few days. If you have any questions please send me a message and i will try to answer them as quick as i can.

[tubman]

I'm sure I can't afford one, but boy, does that look good!

[Ol' Ron]

I really appreciate all the work you do on these engines. I know the cost are very high in this day and age, when it comes ro experimental work. Max research is necessary beforr you drop a dime on these modifications. As for the dual plugs. The main reason maybe reliability, but sometimes we can get alittle extra power as well. such as reducing the Octane requirements for a combustion chambers compression ratio. A single plug must produce a flame front that includes the entire chamber, In the case of the flathead that would be in the transfer area. However by placing a plug over the piston center and firing it first a few degrees before the main plug fires, the flame front would be much shorter. This in theory would allow a higher compression on a lower Octane fuel. The Main advantage would be in a supercharged engine.I read this some where.

[rotorwrench]

My only problem is with the 8BA distributors. They were vacuum only advance with no centrifugal. This makes them a no advance at all distributor in this application. They will have to be run at full advance all the time like an airplane engine. Airplane engines use either an electronic shower of sparks starting aid system or an impulse coupling to retard the spark but neither would be practical for street use. Those old Scintilla Vertex mags take a good bit of power to turn them but at least it would have some form of centrifugal advance.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

My only problem is with the 8BA distributors.

Why would you want to run the OEM distributors with this setup? I would think a modified Chevy or an aftermarket distributor would be the way to go.

[Henry/Kokomo]

I think the key words in tjw's narrative might be "converted 8ba distributors".

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by Henry/Kokomo

I think the key words in tjw's narrative might be "converted 8ba distributors".

Yep i had asked in hopes of maybe someone has a new electronic conversion that i dont know about to allow these old distributors to have the advance function.

I looked at mac speeds web site for more information as well..........

[Ronnieroadster]

With the limited amount of horse power we can make with our beloved flatheads adding any more power draining items makes little sense. The wow factor is the only positive to this setup with no added horsepower to gain.

[Mart]

Originally Posted by BUBBAS IGNITION

Yep i had asked in hopes of maybe someone has a new electronic conversion that i dont know about to allow these old distributors to have the advance function.

I looked at mac speeds web site for more information as well..........

Do you know about the Amethyst units sold by Aldon here in the UK? They are triggered by the points or a pertronics type trigger and all the advance curve and vacuum curve is programmed in. You lock the distributor in a fixed position and all the advance is handled by the unit and is infinitely adjustable. I'm running one in my roadster and I like it.

Mart.

[tjw]

Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster

With the limited amount of horse power we can make with our beloved flatheads adding any more power draining items makes little sense. The wow factor is the only positive to this setup with no added horsepower to gain.

More power draining items and no added horsepower gain !!! !!!!! !!!!!!
How can you make this comment when you have not purchased our set up nor have you had it on an engine on a dyno and seen the gains in HP.

[Bored&Stroked]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by tjw

More power draining items and no added horsepower gain !!! !!!!! !!!!!!
How can you make this comment when you have not purchased our set up nor have you had it on an engine on a dyno and seen the gains in HP.

Well I will say that Ron knows about as much about flatheads as anybody else that I know - but like me, I know that he is always willing to learn more (always more to explore and learn).

So, you should paint yourself with the same brush you painted him with --> do you have any real Dyno results, where the specs of the engine are detailed, the timing curves are the same, but one has dual plugs and your dual distributors and the other does not? The running conditions needs to be exactly the same - except the dual ignition on one.

The way I would test it is with the same engine and SAME ignition system - but only run ONE of the two distributors - that would be the best test in my mind. On the one that you run, you should NOT change the timing at all.

We will take all the documented facts that you can show. I'd love to see the details and see the "gains in HP" that you mention up above?

Do share . . .

B&S

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by tjw

More power draining items and no added horsepower gain !!! !!!!! !!!!!!
How can you make this comment when you have not purchased our set up nor have you had it on an engine on a dyno and seen the gains in HP.

Gee no need to be so upset. As Dale asked if there's truly any HP advantage tell us the facts. However If dual dizzy's were an advantage for gaining more horse power than all of us SERIOUS racers would be running them. But were willing to learn so please educate us.
As I wrote its nice eye candy for those who love to add such things to our beloved flatheads.

[FlatheadTed]

With the twin plug heads the distributor has been the issue ,The guy who first developed this particular twin plug head that this twin drive goes with (Hogan ) had a history of modifying speedway V8 60s with the distributor or mag on the firewall side ,He was in his 80s when I got to know him at that time he was running a similar set up twin 6 distributors (possibly Buick )on a Lincoln Zephyr , .He also had a special twin carb Manifold I was able to get him to share some of the teck aspect of it . This head set up was used on the salt for the un blown Roadster challenge ( Hogan Rey and Martin )2013 ?which they took out and possibly still hold ,I think 180MPH .Ted

[rotorwrench]

ELCO twin plug heads were run here in the US but mostly in boat racing applications to give them some redundancy for wet operations. They mostly used the Autolite 16 type ignition but I'm sure others were used as well. It seems Hogan tried a lot of different stuff too. Some folks just used after market aluminum covers to keep the water spray from getting on the spark plugs & high tension terminals. I don't think these ever got popular for hot rods and street type use here in the US.

[arkusvt]

well it's been nearly 2 years since the 1st post; can't find anything else on the net related to this system. has anyone here had any additional experience or knowledge about it?

[KiWinUS]

Still selling them on ebay
Not me
I have nothing to do with these !!!
Cheers
Tony

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

My only problem is with the 8BA distributors. They were vacuum only advance with no centrifugal. This makes them a no advance at all distributor in this application. They will have to be run at full advance all the time like an airplane engine. Airplane engines use either an electronic shower of sparks starting aid system or an impulse coupling to retard the spark but neither would be practical for street use. Those old Scintilla Vertex mags take a good bit of power to turn them but at least it would have some form of centrifugal advance.

Correct !!!!!!!!!

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by Frank Miller

Which way the distributor turned would not matter, you just need to put the plug wires in the right hole. The thing to worry about is the advance would work backwards. I suppose you could time the distributors so one fired before the other to increase the spark time. I wonder how effective this whole setup is?

Surprized to see this pop back up again, you were one of the few that actually understood the distributor issue.
The Mach Speed Module is a 2Pertronics modules using two units in a single distributor . Only one would have advance controlling both distributor coils etc......The loadamatic would still use a vac line on that one unit....

[Ol' Ron]

Use a chevy dist on the passenger side and a Pontiac on the drivers side. Try not to over think this "STuff"

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Use a chevy dist on the passenger side and a Pontiac on the drivers side. Try not to over think this "STuff"

Why the Pontiac distributor? Both distributors on this cover turn the same direction! Imagine a timing cover that allows us to reposition the distributor (the Chevy one). We move the distributor down so it is at 90 deg. or 'sideways' to the engine. It still turns the same direction. Move it straight down. Still turns the same direction. Now point it at 90 deg. on the left side of the engine. It will still turn the same direction. Now point it up like this dual distributor front cover. It still turns the same direction! The distributor doesn't know what position on the cover it is in so the advance mechanism will still work the same as in the original position!

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

Why the Pontiac distributor? Both distributors on this cover turn the same direction! Imagine a timing cover that allows us to reposition the distributor (the Chevy one). We move the distributor down so it is at 90 deg. or 'sideways' to the engine. It still turns the same direction. Move it straight down. Still turns the same direction. Now point it at 90 deg. on the left side of the engine. It will still turn the same direction. Now point it up like this dual distributor front cover. It still turns the same direction! The distributor doesn't know what position on the cover it is in so the advance mechanism will still work the same as in the original position!

True , but if you look at the pictures really close only one distributor has a primary trigger. The Macs Speed site shows two pertronixs modules in a single distributor. One distributor would just have secondary and a rotor and the other would supply primary trigger (two modules for two coils) the distributor would then function just like a regular load a matic. Any difference in plug timing (if any) would be set in the placement of the control modules etc.
Should work fine but i would like to see the dyno runs regarding horsepower like the others .....

http://www.macsspeed.com/index.php/p...ion-kit-detail

[Kahuna]

40 Deluxe has it. Finally, some sense here
Jim

[scicala]

Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster

Gee no need to be so upset. As Dale asked if there's truly any HP advantage tell us the facts. However If dual dizzy's were an advantage for gaining more horse power than all of us SERIOUS racers would be running them. But were willing to learn so please educate us.
As I wrote its nice eye candy for those who love to add such things to our beloved flatheads.

Why shouldn't TJW be upset ? You just insulted what he's been testing and working his butt off on for a long time. He has the facts, and you just an opinion. And we all know what they say about opinions.


Sal

[scicala]

Also, it doesn't rob any power to turn a 2nd distributor when your not turning an oil pump off the bottom of it.


Sal

[tubman]

Someone said they were selling on eBay. I'd like to at least take a look, but couldn't find them. Anybody have an auction number or a link?

Also, I agree with Sal, that was a pretty rude reception for someone trying to advance the hobby. Let's face it; anyone running a modified flathead is after looks and the "cool" factor. If we were seriously chasing power, there wouldn't be a flahead in sight.

[john in illinois]

I do not have knowledge about how this 2 distributor setup would work on a flathead. I do know that piston engine aircraft have 2 mags and dual plugs. If you cut out one mag the RPM drops. This is the way you test the mags before take off.

John

[tubman]

I am kind of biased towards dual distributors. I once had a '48 Seagrave pumper with a 468" Pierce-Arrow licensed V12 that had dual ignition systems. It had 24 plugs, two distributors (each with sockets for 12 plug wires and two coil wires), and four coils. Despite having only 2300 miles when I got it, it barely ran because the former owner didn't understand how it worked. One of the best projects I have ever had was getting it back running properly. It turned out to be badly burned points. Luckily for me, the distributors were made by Delco and used the same points as '46-'48 Chevrolets. I was used to regular dual point setups where the two sets of points are used to prolong the dwell. Once I figured out that that wasn't the case and what I actually had was 4 separate 6 cylinder ignition systems, it was easy.

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by tubman

Someone said they were selling on eBay. I'd like to at least take a look, but couldn't find them. Anybody have an auction number or a link?

Also, I agree with Sal, that was a pretty rude reception for someone trying to advance the hobby. Let's face it; anyone running a modified flathead is after looks and the "cool" factor. If we were seriously chasing power, there wouldn't be a flahead in sight.

Tubman

If your serious about chasing power no flathead in sight really! Show me the facts about this combination making more power so far no facts. its more for looks and bling if thats what you want its worth the effort for sure if you have the extra cash to run duplicate stuff. Now about advancing the hobby some of us write facts and try to help inform from what we know from putting this stuff into actual use not from sitting in some arm chair.

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by scicala

Why shouldn't TJW be upset ? You just insulted what he's been testing and working his butt off on for a long time. He has the facts, and you just an opinion. And we all know what they say about opinions.


Sal

Sal I have the facts my actual results prove that so far. But hey Im willing to learn so please show me the facts you write about.
Ronnieroadster

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by tjw

]A new Flathead V8 Twin distributor timing cover i am making and it's off to the machinist. This new timing cover takes twin 8ba distributors / magneto's when you are using twin plug heads on your Flathead V8. We will be supplying this timing cover as a kit to suit 8ba distributors which will include a Mac's Speed specially designed electronic ignition kit.

TWIN V DISTRIBUTOR TIMING COVER NEWS UP DATE.

I have finished the Twin V timing cover and is now fitted with two Mac Speed electronic converted 8ba distributors as shown in the photo's below.
The Twin V timing cover and the two electronic distributors have been fitted to the engine in the photo and test run with great success.

I HAVE A VIDEO OF THIS ENGINE RUNNING, with HOGAN Dual Plug Heads. and Twin electronic distributors fitted to it. For some reason i can not load this video onto this page. If you wish to see this video please send me a message with your email address and i will email a copy to you.

This conversion will be available as a bolt on kit or the Twin V timing cover can be purchased separately. I will be listing PRICES and further information about this kit in the next few days. If you have any questions please message me and i will try and reply as quick as i can.

Wow, near 6K views ! Hope you are selling a ton of these. This product is a great looking addition to the hobby ! Do you make other 'stuff' and/or have a web site where everything you make for sale is listed ?

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by donald1950

would need a 4 lobe cam in each distributor, two cpils.. would have some great coil saturation. if one distributor runs backwards, just wire plug wires backwards..

That would work on a 8 cylinder two coil, this one is 16 plugs , dual per cylinder.....

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by tubman

Someone said they were selling on eBay. I'd like to at least take a look, but couldn't find them. Anybody have an auction number or a link?

Also, I agree with Sal, that was a pretty rude reception for someone trying to advance the hobby. Let's face it; anyone running a modified flathead is after looks and the "cool" factor. If we were seriously chasing power, there wouldn't be a flahead in sight.

its here:

http://macsspeed.com/index.php/produ...ion-kit-detail

[tubman]

"Ronnieroadster" - I have read your response to my post about 10 times and I can honestly say I have no idea where you're coming from. You regurgitate exactly what I was saying, and then complain about "armchair" approach from a guy who has actually made something. Have you even looked at his website? I am very impressed by it. Where's yours? I'd like to make a comparison.

Quite frankly, I think your attitude stinks.

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by tubman

"Ronnieroadster" - I have read your response to my post about 10 times and I can honestly say I have no idea where you're coming from. You regurgitate exactly what I was saying, and then complain about "armchair" approach from a guy who has actually made something. Have you even looked at his website? I am very impressed by it. Where's yours? I'd like to make a comparison.

Quite frankly, I think your attitude stinks.

Oh well I dont need a web site I just preach what I know based off true life experience guess some just can not deal with that so be it. That my friend is not attitude

[arkusvt]

ronnie doesn't need a website to prove his flathead expertise, he does it in real life; ask around knowledgable flathead people if you're interested in finding out how. having said that, still waiting, (almost two years) to hear from ANYONE, on this forum or on the entire internet, who actually has this system up and running. the pictures of the set-up are amazing to look at but they are just that, static pictures. strictly from a commercial standpoint you would think the guy producing this system would have figured out by now how to post a video with cool flathead sound. (post #!). guessing that would have a positive impact on sales. if i invested that kind of money in a system i sure would like to show it off, (lots of "bling" there). the other side of the coin is i'd probably be pretty quiet if it didn't work except for the "bling". still waiting!

[tjw]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Wow, near 6K views ! Hope you are selling a ton of these. This product is a great looking addition to the hobby ! Do you make other 'stuff' and/or have a web site where everything you make for sale is listed ?

Thanks hardtimes Yes i have sold a lot of the Twin Distributor timing covers on there own and also full kits which includes the Mac Speed ignition kit. This project to produce this product was a joint effort between myself here in Australia and Graeme at Mac Speed in New Zealand. I make a lot of cast alloy parts such as Flathead blower intake's, SBC 471 blower intakes, carby risers, 471 blower 3x2 and 4x2 top manifolds, plus lots more. I also make an angle drive set up to drive the Nash Twin 8 distributors used when running twin plug heads on a Flathead. I have added a few photos of some of my products. Hardtimes send me your email address and I will send you photos and details of my products. I will be having display at the PATE swap meet so come and have a look at my products.

[tjw]

Originally Posted by tubman

Someone said they were selling on eBay. I'd like to at least take a look, but couldn't find them. Anybody have an auction number or a link?

Also, I agree with Sal, that was a pretty rude reception for someone trying to advance the hobby. Let's face it; anyone running a modified flathead is after looks and the "cool" factor. If we were seriously chasing power, there wouldn't be a flahead in sight.

Thanks Tubman for your comments. Please send me your email address and I will send you some details and photos of this product. I also have a video of the first time start up of this set up on an engine. Thanks Terry

[tubman]

Welcome back, Terry. I'm glad to have someone of your obvious abilities contributing to this site. As I said, I was impressed with the products shown on the "Mac's" website. More and more these days, it seems the good flathead stuff is coming from "down under". It's nice to have a breath of fresh air once in a while.

[tjw]

Originally Posted by tubman

Welcome back, Terry. I'm glad to have someone of your obvious abilities contributing to this site. As I said, I was impressed with the products shown on the "Mac's" website. More and more these days, it see the good flathead stuff is coming from "down under". It's nice to have a breath of fresh air once in a while.

Thanks Tubman I have not been on the Ford Barn much, for an obvious reason but your comments are much appreciated. Here are a couple of photos of some more products I manufacture here in Australia and sell all round the world.

[Fordestes]

I like the looks of the carb adapters , especially the 3 carb setup.

[tjw]

thumbnail_IMG_2008.jpg

Originally Posted by Fordestes

I like the looks of the carb adapters , especially the 3 carb setup.

These 3x2 and 4x2 intakes fit a 471 blower top

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by tjw

Thanks hardtimes Yes i have sold a lot of the Twin Distributor timing covers on there own and also full kits which includes the Mac Speed ignition kit. This project to produce this product was a joint effort between myself here in Australia and Graeme at Mac Speed in New Zealand. I make a lot of cast alloy parts such as Flathead blower intake's, SBC 471 blower intakes, carby risers, 471 blower 3x2 and 4x2 top manifolds, plus lots more. I also make an angle drive set up to drive the Nash Twin 8 distributors used when running twin plug heads on a Flathead. I have added a few photos of some of my products. Hardtimes send me your email address and I will send you photos and details of my products. I will be having display at the PATE swap meet so come and have a look at my products.

Thanks for your response and great pictures. I have to admit that I love to see a well dressed flathead, even if at the 'cost' of wt and/or a few horses !
Now , that I see your product quality, I'm wondering if you make or have ever considered expanding you creations for use on the '32 four cylinder engine ? In old days, there was plenty of specialized made aluminum/finned parts for improving performance and looks of a '32 race engine. For one example, there was aluminum parts made to run a magneto on right lower side of engine and run of off adaptors to the timing covers. Also alum adaptors to run distributor off front of crank, on/on.

[tjw]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Thanks for your response and great pictures. I have to admit that I love to see a well dressed flathead, even if at the 'cost' of wt and/or a few horses !
Now , that I see your product quality, I'm wondering if you make or have ever considered expanding you creations for use on the '32 four cylinder engine ? In old days, there was plenty of specialized made aluminum/finned parts for improving performance and looks of a '32 race engine. For one example, there was aluminum parts made to run a magneto on right lower side of engine and run of off adaptors to the timing covers. Also alum adaptors to run distributor off front of crank, on/on.

Thanks yes I have some products for Model A and B engines that I am in the process of making patterns for. If you have some ideas for parts that you would like to see reproduced please send me details and some photos to view. I can cast and machine most products but some times they are not viable to make as it takes far too long to recover pattern costs and machining programing time. my email [email protected] Thanks Terry

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by tjw

Thanks yes I have some products for Model A and B engines that I am in the process of making patterns for. If you have some ideas for parts that you would like to see reproduced please send me details and some photos to view. I can cast and machine most products but some times they are not viable to make as it takes far too long to recover pattern costs and machining programing time. my email [email protected] Thanks Terry

Thanks Terry !
Distribution of product pictures and information , as you know, is very valuable in sales. Lots of A/B owners world wide. Need to contact those people. I'll try to help as you suggest ! Catalogue helps, as does this type forum.

[Bored&Stroked]

Just to chime in . . . I appreciate that folks like Terry are investing in new products, new castings, etc.. Like any set of products - some might fit my needs, others maybe not - though I'm thankful that we have many great products for our beloved flatheads to choose from.

IMHO, This thread "got a little sideways" if reference to running a dual distributor setup. From my perspective, I think it looks cool, but I've not seen any true dyno tests to validate dual ignitions being of value (horsepower wise) on engines like ours. If somebody has done real dyno testing - controlling the variables as needed (in a manner as I posted up above) - I'd love to see them as I'd learn something. Without real dyno testing in a controlled environment, I'll continue to not expect dual plugs/ignitions to provide additional horsepower (and I'm cool with that - as I know it going in).

The only place I've heard of dual ignitions (magnetos) being required is on today's top-fuel Hemi engines. The reason is they run a solid column of liquid fuel (mostly nitro, sometimes a little alky mixed in) - and that volume of fuel needs more spark energy to burn than a single MSD ProMag can generate. This is obviously a very extreme situation - and one that is necessary to build and run 8000 horsepower engines.

With all this said, I have a dual magneto setup that I'm going to run on one of my weird engine projects (not a flathead) - a blown BBC Chemi (Arias deal) - not because it will actually make any extra horsepower in my situation (blown gas street), but only because it is cool as Hell! (at least to me). Sometimes "cool" trumps everything else (especially money!).

B&S

[Ol' Ron]

To get the benefit from dual plugs, the combustion chamber must be designed for it.. The only heads that come close are the Elco heads. However, the piston would have to be recessed under the plug to tak advantage of a power tip plug. In affect this would benefit fuel economy more than hP.

[Lawrie]

we have home made twin plug heads on our dragster,one plug directly over the centre of the piston.
I dont know what difference the twin plugs make but we are happy with how the engine performs,I always want to try a run with the centre set disconected but we seem always have other stuff going on between runs ( coffee etc.)
Lawrie

[FlatheadTed]

Nice product keep up the good work ,Ted

[vulture]

Very cool and thanks for making the awesome products

[donald1950]

TJW, you do some fantastic work. very nice. very creative. i would love to put one of those dual distributor setups on a car with single plug heads and convert the distributors to 4 lobe cams and just have the "WOW" factor when the hood is open and only 4 plug wires on each distributor......

[Yoyodyne]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

IMHO, This thread "got a little sideways" if reference to running a dual distributor setup. From my perspective, I think it looks cool, but I've not seen any true dyno tests to validate dual ignitions being of value (horsepower wise) on engines like ours. If somebody has done real dyno testing - controlling the variables as needed (in a manner as I posted up above) - I'd love to see them as I'd learn something. Without real dyno testing in a controlled environment, I'll continue to not expect dual plugs/ignitions to provide additional horsepower (and I'm cool with that - as I know it going in).

The only place I've heard of dual ignitions (magnetos) being required is on today's top-fuel Hemi engines. The reason is they run a solid column of liquid fuel (mostly nitro, sometimes a little alky mixed in) - and that volume of fuel needs more spark energy to burn than a single MSD ProMag can generate. This is obviously a very extreme situation - and one that is necessary to build and run 8000 horsepower engines.

FWIW Dual plugs have been proven to work in gasoline fueled Harley race engines and are SOP there. Admittedly not flatheads, but they are also slow revving dinosaurs with huge combustion chambers.

[mgudge]

Hello on the dual plug heads and dual dist. drive! I realize this post is 2016, but might these items still be available? Thanks, Mike 503-622-3639, no text. Orygun!