The Ford Barn

jreeder41 · 03-02-2011, 02:17 PM

We just picked up a model T cannonball head. Are they rare?

Willie in Houston · 03-02-2011, 04:43 PM

I have been in the model T hobby for a lot of years, I have never heard of a cannonball head. Posting some pictures might help??

kwmpa · 03-02-2011, 09:24 PM

heres photos iwas told the were part of the line of parts made by "cannon ball" baker

redmodelt · 03-02-2011, 09:36 PM

Can't tell by the photos, but looks like you would have to use different pistons. The stock and most other pistons for model T came up above the deck by about 3/8 of and inch. The very early T's had pistons that were even with the deck but I would guess that a head with his name would have come out later then that. Neat looking head. Neat looking T head. If the recess for the top of the pistons is deeper then it looks, cool!

kwmpa · 03-02-2011, 09:52 PM

the lower flat section is 3/8" deep and the valve pockets are 1-3/8" deep

tmodelman · 03-02-2011, 11:12 PM

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WOW

That is a cool and rather rare Model T high compression Head.

Cannon Ball Baker was an early racer and made lots of records , with all types of motors, cycles, and autos.

Made a record run in a Model T sealed in high gear across the country New York to Los Angeles...

that head isn't mentioned in the list of improvements to the Ford for his endurance run.....was likely mfg after his famous run....in 1926 or 1927 would be the time of that head design....very similar to the famous Ricardo head for Fords.......similar chamber,,,,,, cool thing to have!

Willie in Houston · 03-02-2011, 11:15 PM

Thanks for the pictures, it definitely looks like it fits a T. I guess I have to put one more in the memory bank.

tmodelman · 03-02-2011, 11:19 PM

jreeder41

And, if you arn't gonna use it.....that thing is so rare I bet Speedy Bill Smith would want it for his collection........

http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/default.dlp

He loves T's and flatheads.......

jreeder41 · 03-03-2011, 07:09 AM

I think we will be using it on my Mifflinburg Body Works truck!

Old Redneck · 03-03-2011, 09:05 AM

If I had that head on my T that would be a good name for the T. In fact I would have a license plate on the front with that name on it.

FL&WVMIKE · 03-03-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmodelman

WOW

That is a cool and rather rare Model T high compression Head.

Cannon Ball Baker was an early racer and made lots of records , with all types of motors, cycles, and autos.

Made a record run in a Model T sealed in high gear across the country New York to Los Angeles...

that head isn't mentioned in the list of improvements to the Ford for his endurance run.....was likely mfg after his famous run....in 1926 or 1927 would be the time of that head design....very similar to the famous Ricardo head for Fords.......similar chamber,,,,,, cool thing to have!

tmodelman .......................
WOW ! That is really impressive. That would be a tough journey, even today, with the interestates and modern cars. Just think, he did that on dirt roads, gravel roads, bad tires, bad gas etc., etc.
Thanks,
MIKE

Jack Innes · 03-03-2011, 11:31 AM

As I understand it, the Waukesha Ricardo head does not raise the compression but works really well due to a much more efficient combustion chamber design. The result is added performance without added stress on the bottom end. (I want one!!) I wonder if the Cannonball head is the same. A measurement of the volume of liquid that a chamber will hold compared to a standard head would likely tell.

kwmpa · 03-03-2011, 06:33 PM

guess thiis things rarer than i thought not bad for $40

kwmpa · 03-09-2011, 05:12 PM

Guys any idea of value on this?

tmodelman · 03-10-2011, 10:37 PM

I would call Speedy Bill Smith at the museum listed in my prior post, he displays all these special heads, and that one isn't in the museum.

To use it, would cost magnaflux and surfacing expense of $100, and it may give about 3-5 hp boost.....rather heavy iron, the new 6:1 compression 'Z' head is a better deal IMHO.

Tests of heads on this site:
http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=MTFCTulsa

kwmpa · 03-11-2011, 09:40 AM

thanks im very anti speedway i refuse to sell anything to speedy bill....id rather scrap it then see him get it

jreeder41 · 03-11-2011, 10:41 AM

Now Kevin, you have his stickers on your car.

kwmpa · 03-11-2011, 07:46 PM

haha not by choice someone snuck them on there

03-02-2011, 02:17 PM	#1
jreeder41 Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 32	Cannonball Head We just picked up a model T cannonball head. Are they rare? __________________ http://www.metropolitan-restoration-service.com/

03-02-2011, 04:43 PM	#2
Willie in Houston Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 252	Re: Cannonball Head I have been in the model T hobby for a lot of years, I have never heard of a cannonball head. Posting some pictures might help??

03-02-2011, 09:24 PM	#3
kwmpa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: williamsport pa Posts: 270	Re: Cannonball Head heres photos iwas told the were part of the line of parts made by "cannon ball" baker __________________ Twice Pipes C.C.

03-02-2011, 09:36 PM	#4
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,458	Re: Cannonball Head Can't tell by the photos, but looks like you would have to use different pistons. The stock and most other pistons for model T came up above the deck by about 3/8 of and inch. The very early T's had pistons that were even with the deck but I would guess that a head with his name would have come out later then that. Neat looking head. Neat looking T head. If the recess for the top of the pistons is deeper then it looks, cool!

03-02-2011, 09:52 PM	#5
kwmpa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: williamsport pa Posts: 270	Re: Cannonball Head the lower flat section is 3/8" deep and the valve pockets are 1-3/8" deep __________________ Twice Pipes C.C.

03-02-2011, 11:15 PM	#7
Willie in Houston Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 252	Re: Cannonball Head Thanks for the pictures, it definitely looks like it fits a T. I guess I have to put one more in the memory bank.

03-02-2011, 11:19 PM	#8
tmodelman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 580	Re: Cannonball Head jreeder41 And, if you arn't gonna use it.....that thing is so rare I bet Speedy Bill Smith would want it for his collection........ http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/default.dlp He loves T's and flatheads.......

03-03-2011, 07:09 AM	#9
jreeder41 Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 32	Re: Cannonball Head I think we will be using it on my Mifflinburg Body Works truck! __________________ http://www.metropolitan-restoration-service.com/

03-03-2011, 09:05 AM	#10
Old Redneck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesburg,Pa. Posts: 1,994	Re: Cannonball Head If I had that head on my T that would be a good name for the T. In fact I would have a license plate on the front with that name on it.

03-03-2011, 11:31 AM	#12
Jack Innes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 706	Re: Cannonball Head As I understand it, the Waukesha Ricardo head does not raise the compression but works really well due to a much more efficient combustion chamber design. The result is added performance without added stress on the bottom end. (I want one!!) I wonder if the Cannonball head is the same. A measurement of the volume of liquid that a chamber will hold compared to a standard head would likely tell.

03-03-2011, 06:33 PM	#13
kwmpa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: williamsport pa Posts: 270	Re: Cannonball Head guess thiis things rarer than i thought not bad for $40 __________________ Twice Pipes C.C.

03-09-2011, 05:12 PM	#14
kwmpa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: williamsport pa Posts: 270	Re: Cannonball Head Guys any idea of value on this? __________________ Twice Pipes C.C.

03-10-2011, 10:37 PM	#15
tmodelman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 580	Re: Cannonball Head I would call Speedy Bill Smith at the museum listed in my prior post, he displays all these special heads, and that one isn't in the museum. To use it, would cost magnaflux and surfacing expense of $100, and it may give about 3-5 hp boost.....rather heavy iron, the new 6:1 compression 'Z' head is a better deal IMHO. Tests of heads on this site: http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=MTFCTulsa

03-11-2011, 09:40 AM	#16
kwmpa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: williamsport pa Posts: 270	Re: Cannonball Head thanks im very anti speedway i refuse to sell anything to speedy bill....id rather scrap it then see him get it __________________ Twice Pipes C.C.

03-11-2011, 10:41 AM	#17
jreeder41 Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 32	Re: Cannonball Head Now Kevin, you have his stickers on your car. __________________ http://www.metropolitan-restoration-service.com/

03-11-2011, 07:46 PM	#18
kwmpa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: williamsport pa Posts: 270	Re: Cannonball Head haha not by choice someone snuck them on there __________________ Twice Pipes C.C.