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Old 11-21-2020, 02:00 AM   #1
Swarm
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Default Big Boys Heads

How many of these heads were produced and did they come with studs? I'm interested in buying some and slapping them on the 8ba I have but would like to know more about them. I read a guy that was producing them passed away and his shop was in bakersfield California but other than that I have no idea about these heads. Whats the compression on these heads?
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Old 11-21-2020, 02:14 AM   #2
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

A little more info here.



https://www.stromberg-bulletin.com/rare-flathead/
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Old 11-21-2020, 02:54 AM   #3
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

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Originally Posted by Swarm View Post
How many of these heads were produced and did they come with studs? I'm interested in buying some and slapping them on the 8ba I have but would like to know more about them. I read a guy that was producing them passed away and his shop was in bakersfield California but other than that I have no idea about these heads. Whats the compression on these heads?


SEE > https://www.stromberg-bulletin.com/rare-flathead/

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Old 11-21-2020, 03:45 AM   #4
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

Yeah good article thanks dudes. But does anyone know the compression of these heads and do they have ports for water temp?
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Old 11-21-2020, 05:54 AM   #5
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

Swarm, if one of the two larger holes just below the center water outlet go through too water should do the job for a temp sender .
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Old 11-21-2020, 07:17 AM   #6
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Be aware, that if you fit these heads with studs in a fendered car, you'll not be able to remove them. I had some similar 'fat' heads and after buying 48 Model A studs realized what I've said above. Then bought 48 'Caterpillar' bolts [these have the 11/16 AF heads].
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Old 11-21-2020, 07:51 AM   #7
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

I just hope to find some lol
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Old 11-21-2020, 02:57 PM   #8
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

Look to Tony Baron. He makes similar heads. These seem a little ridiculous how thick they are. Clean out the block right and that extra coolant isn't needed.
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Old 11-21-2020, 04:33 PM   #9
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

These look a little like the late Tom Hutchinson's heads. His said "Ford Speed Parts" on them, not many were made but the tooling must have gone somewhere.
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Old 11-21-2020, 05:31 PM   #10
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

I personally do not know much about these heads, but my brother has a set, still new unused. he may have some info on them. he may see this thread and answer some questions. he goes by Flatrod here on the Barn, and Flatrod 17 on the Hamb
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Old 11-21-2020, 07:18 PM   #11
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

Look to Tony Baron. He makes similar heads. These seem a little ridiculous how thick they are. Clean out the block right and that extra coolant isn't needed
I looked him up online and couldn't find anything, does he have a website?

These look a little like the late Tom Hutchinson's heads. His said "Ford Speed Parts" on them, not many were made but the tooling must have gone somewhere
Yeah maybe I should have some tooling made up and cast my own heads, I have an idea but I need to figure out how to start the process

I personally do not know much about these heads, but my brother has a set, still new unused. he may have some info on them. he may see this thread and answer some questions. he goes by Flatrod here on the Barn, and Flatrod 17 on the Hamb
Hopefully he sees this, I might just send him a message
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Old 11-22-2020, 09:58 AM   #12
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

Yes I have a set of unused Big Boys, and my brother, Alaska Jim has Tony Baron heads. I bought mine from Paul years ago, I do remember talking to him when I got them, but don't remember much else.
I can compare the two if you like, I do know the Baron's are around 92cc, I don't think the Big Boys are that big chamber wise.

Thinking about it I think I do have some paper work somewhere, I'll look for it and report back.

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Old 11-22-2020, 10:36 AM   #13
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

posting pics
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Old 11-22-2020, 10:49 AM   #14
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

Personally, I do not like the shape of these and see no need for the "extra" amount of water. They are just big and bulky to me. I have a set of Tony Baron's heads - my version is designed for a big pop-up piston. They are quite large as well, but a lot nicer looking head than the 'Big Boys' (obviously, just my opinion!).

While I tend to run Edelbrock heads on most of my recent builds, I still love the design/shape of the 39-48 Navarro heads - I like the way they taper down at the bottoms - similar to original 39-48 Ford heads.

All my Navarro heads were manufactured by "Barney" - I've heard a few comments about some of the ones from H&H having manufacturing inconsistencies - but I have no first hand knowledge of this. If I was going to be buying a new set, I'd check them out for any chamber size/machining issues - and if they were not to Barney's quality, I'd not be running them. Buy Hey - I'm a perfectionist!

PS: Tom Hutchinson was a good ole' flathead friend to me when I was growing up around flatheads - spent quite a bit of time with him and my first SCoT blower setup came from him - NOS. I paid $400 for it . . . was a lot of money for an 18 year old kid! LOL
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Old 11-22-2020, 10:51 AM   #15
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

Awesome thanks you Flatrod
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Old 11-22-2020, 10:53 AM   #16
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

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Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked View Post
Personally, I do not like the shape of these and see no need for the "extra" amount of water. They are just big and bulky to me. I have a set of Tony Baron's heads - my version is designed for a big pop-up piston. They are quite large as well, but a lot nicer looking head than the 'Big Boys' (obviously, just my opinion!).

While I tend to run Edelbrock heads on most of my recent builds, I still love the design/shape of the 39-48 Navarro heads - I like the way they taper down at the bottoms - similar to original 39-48 Ford heads.

All my Navarro heads were manufactured by "Barney" - I've heard a few comments about some of the ones from H&H having manufacturing inconsistencies - but I have no first hand knowledge of this. If I was going to be buying a new set, I'd check them out for any chamber size/machining issues - and if they were not to Barney's quality, I'd not be running them. Buy Hey - I'm a perfectionist!

PS: Tom Hutchinson was a good ole' flathead friend to me when I was growing up around flatheads - spent quite a bit of time with him and my first SCoT blower setup came from him - NOS. I paid $400 for it . . . was a lot of money for an 18 year old kid! LOL
I wish I could find a set of those heads for sale as well. Maybe I should just make my own heads
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Old 11-22-2020, 11:09 AM   #17
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

B&S, there is no comparison between the Big Boys and Baron heads!! We have both, Other then thickness two different worlds! As you know.
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Old 11-22-2020, 11:11 AM   #18
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Default Re: Big Boys Heads

It is possible to make your own heads (out of billet aluminum) - if you can produce 3D CAD models, can generate the toolpaths and have full CNC milling machine equipment.

You have to make them as a "clamshell" design (two halves) - with water jackets milled out of the interiors, then use an o-ring material to seal all the various stud and plug hole locations between the two "sides" as well as around the exterior. We designed all our own heads for the FlatCad engine (blown flathead Cadillac) - is a lot of time and money (and we had our own CNC equipment).

If you have those capabilities, the $$$ it takes to buy 4 big chunks of 6061 aluminum and access to the equipment, let me know . . . might be able to collaborate on a "winter project"! LOL

Here are some pics of the FlatCad heads:

Heads-006.jpg

Heads-007.jpg

Heads-005.jpg
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Old 11-22-2020, 11:19 AM   #19
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B&S - Wow, beautiful parts.
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Old 11-22-2020, 11:23 AM   #20
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B&S - Wow, beautiful parts.
Thank you . . . they took a "team effort" to produce! Four of us were involved in this aspect of the FlatCad project. The good news is that I have all the SolidWorks 3D designs.
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