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02-18-2021, 11:27 AM | #21 | |
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Re: Why not a new casting
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Seems like a lot of dough for even the die hard banger guys if it can't be used legally in racing events. |
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02-18-2021, 12:55 PM | #22 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
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02-18-2021, 01:22 PM | #23 | |
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Re: Why not a new casting
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Is the Donovan still around? I remember reading about it in the early-mid '70's. |
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02-18-2021, 02:32 PM | #24 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
Welp, I never could understand why or how Ford Motor Company could find no interest in pitching in.
I know how budgets work so I really don’t need to be corrected here but my point is it’s all about priorities. If Ford prioritized a Flathead block they could do one in their sleep. All it would take is one or two Early V8 enthusiasts inside the halls of Ford Performance and it could happen. FoMoCo would create a sensation and a lot of buzz around their performance division. The Flathead is an icon for Ford as much as if not more so than a sbc is for Chevy or a Hemi is for Chrysler. A clever engineer could have concept drawings by the end of the week and be making test pours within a matter of months if not weeks. The problem is ROI. How do you sell that idea to the bean counters. Would every Ford Barn member or Early Ford V8 club member be willing to fork over $50 or $100 and establish a development fund? I know I would donate to that even if I wasn’t planning to buy a new block. What we are talking about is economics more so than technical complexity. IT CAN BE DONE. |
02-18-2021, 02:46 PM | #25 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
I wonder why Tod hasn't jumped in here? Hope he is alright.
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02-18-2021, 03:01 PM | #26 | |
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Re: Why not a new casting
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02-18-2021, 03:04 PM | #27 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
Yes, Donovan Engineering is still around. As for Ford Motor Company getting involved with a new flathead motor, I don't see that happening. Ford history is one thing, but as Henry points out, pouring big bucks into something that has a very limited ROI, would piss off the bean counters and stockholders as well. There are diehards that will continue to try and breathe life into flathead motors, but sometimes things just need to run their natural course and die a quiet death.
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02-18-2021, 03:30 PM | #28 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
Here's a good Fordbarn discussion on casting flathead block.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...engine+casting |
02-18-2021, 03:38 PM | #29 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
Probably more likely that the next available option will be a 3D printed flathead block with an electric motor hidden inside. Or is that sacrilege?
Don't get me wrong, I'd love the availability of a new block but don't foresee it with the misguided push for abolishing the combustion engine.
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02-18-2021, 05:59 PM | #30 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
Fo Mo Co isn't financially interested in reinventing the past.
They decided that when the Y-block came out. 1953 In 1953, Ford made the final flathead V-8. It displaced 3.9 liters and made 110 hp. As engineers sought more power, Ford scrapped the design in favor of an overhead-valve engine. Thus the flathead V-8's tenure came to end. |
02-18-2021, 09:27 PM | #31 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
How much did the aluminum or steel 4 bolt main flatheads made by Mark Kirby of Motor City Speed Equipment, out of Dundee, Michigan cost? Did they sell a lot? I don't ever see them used for sale
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02-19-2021, 08:54 AM | #32 | |
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Re: Why not a new casting
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What makes you think the flathead would be substantially more difficult than a SBC/SBF/BBC/BBF/etc?
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02-19-2021, 09:56 AM | #33 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
How about the intake and exhaust passages, the valve pockets, and everything else associated with them? Did you forget about them?
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02-19-2021, 10:48 AM | #34 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
Having made my own moulds for aircooled cylinder heads and a v-twin crankcases I agree on the high complexity of the Ford flathead block. Especially the long exhaust tracks inside the hollow casting will give some extra "fun"
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02-19-2021, 01:05 PM | #35 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
Cost, cost . cost!! The cist to make, the cist to machine, the cost to sell.
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02-19-2021, 01:31 PM | #36 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
In part because I have worked in a foundry and designed molds.
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02-19-2021, 01:48 PM | #37 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
I like the pic showing the cores. Very impressive.
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02-19-2021, 01:59 PM | #38 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
If anyone could do this, my money would be on Tod. He has the experience and equipment to do it and that hasn't gone anywhere so far.
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02-19-2021, 02:17 PM | #39 | |
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Re: Why not a new casting
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For a pattern maker or foundry man, a Flathead isn't an "OMG, this is too complex, we can't even fathom how to handle it" proposition that some of you seem to think. With the advent of printed cores that such a low-volume project would be perfect for it becomes even less so. This is like someone being, "XYZ OHV heads are too complex. They can't possibly be made," because of the extra intake and exhaust cores.
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02-19-2021, 02:39 PM | #40 |
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Re: Why not a new casting
Well, is sounding easy enough, should be lots of folks jumping on this? Don't think so, but a lot of flathead lovers would like a new block when someone wants to give it a try.
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