The Ford Barn

Henry Floored · 02-20-2015, 11:14 PM

Well guys you may have seen the new classes for the 2015 Engine Masters competition. If you haven't seem them and are interested there is a "vintage" v8 class open to any 1954 or older American v8 except for the Chrysler hemi. This would probably attract mostly Olds and Caddy engines with a possible Lincoln or two. What if? What if a bunch of Flathead Ford enthusiasts built an all out engine just because? Certainly a side valver couldn't compete right? But the question begs just how well could one do? Flathead Fords were certainly in the thick of things longer than they should have back in those days. Wouldn't it be fun to raise eyebrows if not competing for the outright win? Isn't the Flathead V8 at the heart of our passion? It is for me.

Now before you poo poo the idea, remember that these contests are scored by average torque and horsepower divided by cubic inches as tested on a dyno. How far up could this theoretical engine reach? Where would one start. I'd like to hear from you guys what you think of this. Have some of you ever built a full on Flathead either recently or back in the day? For the sake of discusion and the sheer fun of it lets build the ultimate naturally aspirated Flathead Ford at least on this thread.

I'll go first. My fantasy engine would be just under 300". The heads would be Navarro Hi-domes (complying with the commercially available rule) with the corresponding pistons. The heat riser would be filled and shaped to form a back port wall for them. Exhaust ports would be in standard location but cleaned up and the dog leg removed from the end ports. The induction system is where I think would be a departure. I have always looked at those intake ports and thought they should be lowered. I would love to machine those intake ports partially away and thereby lowering their entrance angle. I have seen this done and in addition an EFI injector was placed under each port aimed at the back of the intake valve. The combination of this with a fixed guide, "ramped" intake pocket and the hi dome heads I think removes a huge percentage of the impedence to the breathing potential of this engine. Now the rest of the engine would be carefully done especially in the camshaft and crankcase areas.

Lets hear your thoughts and have some fun!

02-20-2015, 11:14 PM	#1
Henry Floored Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 630	A Flathead in Engine Masters? Well guys you may have seen the new classes for the 2015 Engine Masters competition. If you haven't seem them and are interested there is a "vintage" v8 class open to any 1954 or older American v8 except for the Chrysler hemi. This would probably attract mostly Olds and Caddy engines with a possible Lincoln or two. What if? What if a bunch of Flathead Ford enthusiasts built an all out engine just because? Certainly a side valver couldn't compete right? But the question begs just how well could one do? Flathead Fords were certainly in the thick of things longer than they should have back in those days. Wouldn't it be fun to raise eyebrows if not competing for the outright win? Isn't the Flathead V8 at the heart of our passion? It is for me. Now before you poo poo the idea, remember that these contests are scored by average torque and horsepower divided by cubic inches as tested on a dyno. How far up could this theoretical engine reach? Where would one start. I'd like to hear from you guys what you think of this. Have some of you ever built a full on Flathead either recently or back in the day? For the sake of discusion and the sheer fun of it lets build the ultimate naturally aspirated Flathead Ford at least on this thread. I'll go first. My fantasy engine would be just under 300". The heads would be Navarro Hi-domes (complying with the commercially available rule) with the corresponding pistons. The heat riser would be filled and shaped to form a back port wall for them. Exhaust ports would be in standard location but cleaned up and the dog leg removed from the end ports. The induction system is where I think would be a departure. I have always looked at those intake ports and thought they should be lowered. I would love to machine those intake ports partially away and thereby lowering their entrance angle. I have seen this done and in addition an EFI injector was placed under each port aimed at the back of the intake valve. The combination of this with a fixed guide, "ramped" intake pocket and the hi dome heads I think removes a huge percentage of the impedence to the breathing potential of this engine. Now the rest of the engine would be carefully done especially in the camshaft and crankcase areas. Lets hear your thoughts and have some fun!