The Ford Barn

Bob-A · 04-10-2013, 05:38 PM

I'm thinking about bidding on an aluminum Winfield head on eBay

. The compression ratio is unknown, but probably higher then I would want.
The area right above the pistons is mostly flat with no indentations other then for the valves. The head maybe an original from back in the day. I don't know if repops were ever produced. My question: how far can you "fly-cut" {correct term?} into the head to lower the compression ration?

I don't want the ratio higher then 6.5 to 1, as I am using babbit. Nor do I want to strike water either. What say yea motor heads?

TIA, Bob-A

John LaVoy · 04-10-2013, 05:59 PM

We have one that sounds like the one you are looking at. It is a reproduction and I think they are still available. Ford Obsolete in Rosemead, CA is where I got mine. I "fly cut" it about 1/8" to compensate from the pistons coming past the top deck. Works fine.

garyaodell · 04-10-2013, 06:02 PM

The original Winfield heads were cast iron painted red for 7 to 1 and yellow for 6 to 1. The newer aluminum heads are also 7 to 1 and 6 to 1. The aluminum heads have a serial number stamped on them and can probably referance at Reds Headers. When I rebuilt my engine a year ago I put a 7 to 1 on and have had no problems with it and my engine is a babbit engine. The increased power is fantasic.

Bob-A · 04-10-2013, 07:53 PM

Hey guys thanks for the responce to my Winfield question. I looked up Red's Headers and will probably just buy a new one from them.

Bob-A

SteveB31 · 04-10-2013, 09:37 PM

There hasn't been any new ones made for a couple years.

Whats the story on the old "Super Winfield" aluminum heads. What ratio were they?

hardtimes · 04-10-2013, 10:44 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob-A

I'm thinking about bidding on an aluminum Winfield head on eBay

. The compression ratio is unknown, but probably higher then I would want.
The area right above the pistons is mostly flat with no indentations other then for the valves. The head maybe an original from back in the day. I don't know if repops were ever produced. My question: how far can you "fly-cut" {correct term?} into the head to lower the compression ration?

I don't want the ratio higher then 6.5 to 1, as I am using babbit. Nor do I want to strike water either. What say yea motor heads?

TIA, Bob-A

Hey Bob,
That head is a repop and the numbers on the head tells you what yr is was made. I have one, with a different # , older model, but the chamber looks same. And, it's 8:1 I'm fairly sure , as I spoke to the guy who makes / sells them now. None have been made recently, I was told.
I am told that it depends on how good/new your babbitt is and that if you have a new and/or solid bottom end...it will work with that head. Good luck.

BTW Bob...I just went and looked at the stamping on that head it was made in 2002 and is 8.1:1

MikeK · 04-10-2013, 10:58 PM

The Super Winfield heads were 8:1. Like the others, no flycuts.

hardtimes · 04-10-2013, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeK

The Super Winfield heads were 8:1. Like the others, no flycuts.

Yup...this is the chamber side of my Winfield.
Haven't polished it yet ...per your instructions, as hands won't co-operate right now

wensum · 04-10-2013, 11:18 PM

My 100thou oversize pistons stood proud of the block by 50thou. I had to get the Winfield head (new from Reds Headers) fly cut to be certain of clearance.
Also, with oversize inlet valves I had to relieve the combustion chamber to clear the valves. Both thses operations will reduce the compression ratio a little I guess?
Snyders super head gasket for A & B appears to be the right size for these modifications
Good luck
Keith

wensum · 04-10-2013, 11:23 PM

I should have added that the original spark plug connectors will not reach the plugs from the winged distributor cap to the winfield spark plug location and a modern distributor kitset from MACs provides all the answers with modern plug leads and fittings.
Reds headers recommended NGK BPR6HS plugs

wensum · 04-11-2013, 12:30 AM

Here's a photo of the head with the distributor installed. Note that the Snyders High tensile head studs are a little short for this head and either longer studs will need to be made or the head machined to lower the height of the nuts?
Keith

adavis · 04-11-2013, 01:33 AM

I had one heck of a time locating a Winfield head 6 months ago. I finally found a used one that I partially traded my original "B" police head on. I spoke with the gentleman that has the casting molds for the Winfields and he hasn't (as of a few months ago) been able to locate a machinist that can finish the rough castings for anywhere near the cost that his old machinist did. He had 20 rough castings sitting on the floor in his shop just waiting to be machined.....and he wouldn't sell them unfinished (I asked).
I have a friend that is almost finished repopping the Weiand aluminum head. He should have the first run done soon and when I get mine I'll post info for those that are interested.

Tom Wesenberg · 04-11-2013, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wensum

Here's a photo of the head with the distributor installed. Note that the Snyders High tensile head studs are a little short for this head and either longer studs will need to be made or the head machined to lower the height of the nuts?
Keith

What make are your tires?
I haven't seen that tread desgin before, and it looks like it might sing going down the road.

wensum · 04-11-2013, 05:49 AM

The tyres are English Blockleys which have a period racing tread pattern and supposedly give both good wear and good roadholding.
They are relatively expensive but look the part for a speedster and hopefully will give good roadholding in speed events, sprints, hillclimbs and racing

Bob-A · 04-11-2013, 05:55 AM

adavis,

Please keep us informed on the Weiand aluminum head.

And thanks everybody for your input.

Bob-A

wensum · 04-11-2013, 03:17 PM

A further comment on the Winfield head; I met a guy who races a Fraser Nash in the UK powered by a Model A engine.
He was having a lot of trouble with pinking or pre-ignition.
He changed to a Winfield head which cured the problem and improved his lap times by a couple of seconds.
I guess it had something to do with the combustion chamber shape?
Keith

gwhite · 04-11-2013, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wensum

Here's a photo of the head with the distributor installed. Note that the Snyders High tensile head studs are a little short for this head and either longer studs will need to be made or the head machined to lower the height of the nuts?
Keith

My original cast iron 6:1 "yellow" head has the same issue.

wensum · 04-11-2013, 04:42 PM

Heres the Blockley price list and a picture of the tyre pattern

Blockley Range of Tyres
Size
Optimum
Rim Width
Price

Notes

TYRES MADE WITH OUR 3 BLOCK PATTERN

450/500 x 18
2.50"
£120.00

In Stock

5.50 x 18
3.00"
£139.00

In Stock

3.50 x 19
2.00"
£39.00

In Stock

4.00 x 19
2.25"
£69.00

In Stock

4.50 x 19
2.75"
£109.00

In Stock

4.75/5.00 x 19
3.00"
£155.00

In Stock

5.00 x 19
3.00"
£129.00

In Stock

5.50/6.00 x 19
3.50"
£185.00

In Stock

6.50 x 19

£250.00

In Stock

4.75/5.00 x 20
3.25"
£195.00

In Stock New Size

6.50/7.00 x 20

£215.00

In Stock New Size

5.25 x 21
3.25"
£215.00

In Stock New Size

5.25/6.00 x 21
3.75"
£240.00

In Stock

7.00 x 21
4.00"
£275.00

In Stock

04-10-2013, 05:38 PM	#1
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,137	Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... I'm thinking about bidding on an aluminum Winfield head on eBay. The compression ratio is unknown, but probably higher then I would want. The area right above the pistons is mostly flat with no indentations other then for the valves. The head maybe an original from back in the day. I don't know if repops were ever produced. My question: how far can you "fly-cut" {correct term?} into the head to lower the compression ration? I don't want the ratio higher then 6.5 to 1, as I am using babbit. Nor do I want to strike water either. What say yea motor heads? TIA, Bob-A

04-10-2013, 05:59 PM	#2
John LaVoy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 1,219	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... We have one that sounds like the one you are looking at. It is a reproduction and I think they are still available. Ford Obsolete in Rosemead, CA is where I got mine. I "fly cut" it about 1/8" to compensate from the pistons coming past the top deck. Works fine.

04-10-2013, 06:02 PM	#3
garyaodell Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Idaho Falls, Id Posts: 31	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... The original Winfield heads were cast iron painted red for 7 to 1 and yellow for 6 to 1. The newer aluminum heads are also 7 to 1 and 6 to 1. The aluminum heads have a serial number stamped on them and can probably referance at Reds Headers. When I rebuilt my engine a year ago I put a 7 to 1 on and have had no problems with it and my engine is a babbit engine. The increased power is fantasic.

04-10-2013, 07:53 PM	#4
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,137	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... Hey guys thanks for the responce to my Winfield question. I looked up Red's Headers and will probably just buy a new one from them. Bob-A

04-10-2013, 09:37 PM	#5
SteveB31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Englewood, Colorado Posts: 1,372	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... There hasn't been any new ones made for a couple years. Whats the story on the old "Super Winfield" aluminum heads. What ratio were they?

04-10-2013, 10:58 PM	#7
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... The Super Winfield heads were 8:1. Like the others, no flycuts.

04-10-2013, 11:18 PM	#9
wensum Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 444	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... My 100thou oversize pistons stood proud of the block by 50thou. I had to get the Winfield head (new from Reds Headers) fly cut to be certain of clearance. Also, with oversize inlet valves I had to relieve the combustion chamber to clear the valves. Both thses operations will reduce the compression ratio a little I guess? Snyders super head gasket for A & B appears to be the right size for these modifications Good luck Keith Last edited by wensum; 04-11-2013 at 05:50 AM.

04-10-2013, 11:23 PM	#10
wensum Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 444	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... I should have added that the original spark plug connectors will not reach the plugs from the winged distributor cap to the winfield spark plug location and a modern distributor kitset from MACs provides all the answers with modern plug leads and fittings. Reds headers recommended NGK BPR6HS plugs

04-11-2013, 01:33 AM	#12
adavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 289	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... I had one heck of a time locating a Winfield head 6 months ago. I finally found a used one that I partially traded my original "B" police head on. I spoke with the gentleman that has the casting molds for the Winfields and he hasn't (as of a few months ago) been able to locate a machinist that can finish the rough castings for anywhere near the cost that his old machinist did. He had 20 rough castings sitting on the floor in his shop just waiting to be machined.....and he wouldn't sell them unfinished (I asked). I have a friend that is almost finished repopping the Weiand aluminum head. He should have the first run done soon and when I get mine I'll post info for those that are interested.

04-11-2013, 05:49 AM	#14
wensum Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 444	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... The tyres are English Blockleys which have a period racing tread pattern and supposedly give both good wear and good roadholding. They are relatively expensive but look the part for a speedster and hopefully will give good roadholding in speed events, sprints, hillclimbs and racing

04-11-2013, 05:55 AM	#15
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,137	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... adavis, Please keep us informed on the Weiand aluminum head. And thanks everybody for your input. Bob-A

04-11-2013, 03:17 PM	#16
wensum Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 444	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... A further comment on the Winfield head; I met a guy who races a Fraser Nash in the UK powered by a Model A engine. He was having a lot of trouble with pinking or pre-ignition. He changed to a Winfield head which cured the problem and improved his lap times by a couple of seconds. I guess it had something to do with the combustion chamber shape? Keith

04-11-2013, 04:42 PM	#18
wensum Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 444	Re: Winfield HC Aluminum Head?.... Heres the Blockley price list and a picture of the tyre pattern Blockley Range of Tyres Size Optimum Rim Width Price Notes TYRES MADE WITH OUR 3 BLOCK PATTERN 450/500 x 18 2.50" £120.00 In Stock 5.50 x 18 3.00" £139.00 In Stock 3.50 x 19 2.00" £39.00 In Stock 4.00 x 19 2.25" £69.00 In Stock 4.50 x 19 2.75" £109.00 In Stock 4.75/5.00 x 19 3.00" £155.00 In Stock 5.00 x 19 3.00" £129.00 In Stock 5.50/6.00 x 19 3.50" £185.00 In Stock 6.50 x 19 £250.00 In Stock 4.75/5.00 x 20 3.25" £195.00 In Stock New Size 6.50/7.00 x 20 £215.00 In Stock New Size 5.25 x 21 3.25" £215.00 In Stock New Size 5.25/6.00 x 21 3.75" £240.00 In Stock 7.00 x 21 4.00" £275.00 In Stock