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Old 05-30-2020, 10:41 AM   #1
19Fordy
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Default How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

This is an amazing process. Imagine all the programming that went into this.
https://www.howacarworks.com/engine-block
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Old 05-30-2020, 11:00 AM   #2
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

Isn't Don Ferguson making an 8BA aluminum Flathead style block?

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Old 05-30-2020, 11:22 AM   #3
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

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Isn't Don Ferguson making an 8BA aluminum Flathead block?

Huh? Anyone? If true, this would be gi-hugic news. Tod...you listening? DD
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Old 05-30-2020, 11:31 AM   #4
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

That is big bucks there .
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Old 05-30-2020, 11:42 AM   #5
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

When I think about it, an aluminum flathead block makes no sense, economic or otherwise. Yeah, maybe in the thirties when Ford was considering powering airplanes with their V8's, but not these days. What would you save, 100-150 lbs? If we were talking top-end cutting-edge technology here, yeah, maybe so. But remember, we are talking about a seriously outdated engine design favored by a bunch of nostalgic old coots.

We'll be lucky if someone comes up with a reasonably priced cast iron variant. No matter what it ends up being, it will probably still be ineligible for vintage racing classes, so it will appeal mainly to a crowd that already has a bunch of good original blocks stashed in all of their nooks and crannies.

Fun to discuss on the board, though.
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Old 05-30-2020, 12:02 PM   #6
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

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When I think about it, an aluminum flathead block makes no sense, economic or otherwise. Yeah, maybe in the thirties when Ford was considering powering airplanes with their V8's, but not these days. What would you save, 100-150 lbs? If we were talking top-end cutting-edge technology here, yeah, maybe so. But remember, we are talking about a seriously outdated engine design favored by a bunch of nostalgic old coots.

We'll be lucky if someone comes up with a reasonably priced cast iron variant. No matter what it ends up being, it will probably still be ineligible for vintage racing classes, so it will appeal mainly to a crowd that already has a bunch of good original blocks stashed in all of their nooks and crannies.

Fun to discuss on the board, though.

Denny is right....ALL of the above is true scoop! But I still have one dumb question....how does this block in video cool? Where are the water jackets for coolant? What am I missing here? DD
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Old 05-30-2020, 12:55 PM   #7
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

Good question. Maybe they are only for dragsters. Also, what does "wet jackets" mean?
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Old 05-30-2020, 01:31 PM   #8
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

Doesn't anyone remember the one built by Mark Kirby of Motor City Flatheads 10+ years ago??


https://www.cokertire.com/blog/top-s...minum-flathead
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Old 05-30-2020, 01:42 PM   #9
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

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Doesn't anyone remember the one built by Mark Kirby of Motor City Flatheads 10+ years ago??


https://www.cokertire.com/blog/top-s...minum-flathead

I thought about Mark's goofy block when I saw what seems to be a somewhat similar cylinder layout on this one. Mark's block also had some sort of separate or "floating" deck surface....been too many years since I saw the MANY different details included in his "just about READY for sale" $12K+ (back then) engine. Kirby's engine wouldn't even accept FORD-like cylinder heads. Lots of proprietary components required! Where's the water go in this latest creature? DD
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Old 05-30-2020, 02:09 PM   #10
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

I'm not sure but casting aluminum MIGHT be a simpler process than casting iron. If anybody is following Terry Bertz and his five main bearing cast iron Model A block, you'll know the heartaches and headaches he's been dealing with and the only solution to his problems was to go across the Pacific. I once asked him if he'd considered aluminum and I think he replied that they'd be on the market now. (Pardon me if I'm wrong about this.)
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Old 05-30-2020, 02:27 PM   #11
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

Googled Don Ferguson Aluminum Ardun Flathead and came up with an article on the old R&C Hot Rod Network with pictures of an aluminum FH style engine using the Ferguson built block that was assembled by H&H. I've sold Don my 409 Chevy to Flathead aluminum water pump kits for years. Just sold him a fresh batch so I assume he's still building engines?

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Old 05-30-2020, 02:55 PM   #12
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

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Originally Posted by Krylon32 View Post
Isn't Don Ferguson making an 8BA aluminum Flathead style block?



Dons aluminum block is for the Ardun overhead valve head conversion only. Theres no provision for the Flathead intake and exhaust ports or any areas for valve seats on his casting. Also last I checked the Ardun aluminum bare block only was around 8K.
If an aluminum or iron reproduction block was available when it comes to some all out racing these new blocks would be illegal to run. That eliminates one group of possible buyers if any thing was ever available. Heck i think its more fun trying to get lots of horse power from one of the original casting made by Ford all of which are legal to run as long as they are 1953 or earlier blocks.
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First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

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Old 05-30-2020, 03:01 PM   #13
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

Ronnie: Is the Ferguson motor allowed at Bonneville? Does it use a Ford style crank and rods? It must have a stock style front for the pumps and front cover or my water pump kits wouldn't work. He also makes a pan for his block that is supposed to work on a stock block?
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Old 05-30-2020, 05:43 PM   #14
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

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Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN View Post
Denny is right....ALL of the above is true scoop! But I still have one dumb question....how does this block in video cool? Where are the water jackets for coolant? What am I missing here? DD
I believe the sleeves are smaller OD for part of the length with a wider OD and O-rings at the bottom end. Looks like the water flows between the sleeves and the aluminum block.
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Old 05-30-2020, 09:57 PM   #15
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

The Mark Kerby flathead.
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Old 05-30-2020, 11:18 PM   #16
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

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Originally Posted by Krylon32 View Post
Isn't Don Ferguson making an 8BA aluminum Flathead style block?
He is but its only for Ardun heads.
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Old 05-31-2020, 01:23 AM   #17
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

Are you saying that there’s a FLATHEAD in there ?
FORD made / invented the cast iron V8 Flathead !
At best, this should be called a ‘flathead’ clone type engine.

If naming it a ‘flathead’....is accepted/ok, then
It should be allowed to run/compete against other flathead engines ?
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Old 05-31-2020, 10:22 AM   #18
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

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Originally Posted by hardtimes View Post
Are you saying that there’s a FLATHEAD in there ?
FORD made / invented the cast iron V8 Flathead !
At best, this should be called a ‘flathead’ clone type engine.

If naming it a ‘flathead’....is accepted/ok, then
It should be allowed to run/compete against other flathead engines ?



Never going to be allowed to run/compete against other original Ford produced blocks. Why you ask? In the vintage engine class the word vintage means just that it must be an original vintage old block that you are able to modify within the rules. So your able to run against prior records set set by others running vintage engine blocks.
Now if and when a new engine class was allowed {dont hold your breath waiting} allowing replacement flathead type engine blocks. Then their would be a way to compete on a level playing field against others using the replacement blocks shooting for a record in the new class.
And yes I would try my hand at running in the new class might even still use an original block for the heck of it or not.
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"Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block"
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First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH
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Old 05-31-2020, 04:50 PM   #19
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

Fair, is fair. we're not talking about how much money you can spend breaking a record set by someone following the rules. You have to beat him/her at the same game. Sometimes it takes just a better idea. Records are made to be broken. It becomes an evolution,and makes the sport better, and everybody gains. Not long ago, 150 inthe quarter mile, was mathematically impossible??????.
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Old 05-31-2020, 04:56 PM   #20
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Default Re: How To Make and Aluminum Engine Block

When I was in the ninth grade (56-57), our physics teacher "proved" it would be impossible to accelerate to over some figure like that (138 sticks in my mind) in the quarter. He was basing his calculations on the assumption that a coefficient of friction of over 1.0 could not be achieved. I wish I could have stuck around for the next couple of years.
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