engine redo

[als roadster]

i have a 30 model a roadster.im trying to upgrade my engine for drivability and reliability.My original engine seems to be sound compression is at 55 to 60 lbs.My question is what combination of things i can do,with least amount of problems.I was thinking of changing to a stipe cam,and snyder 5.5 head. maybe headers and dual carbs.What header is better thinking of red headers cast iron or steel? This is my first model a just trying to make it more reliable and maybe add a little power and gas mileage. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

[Patrick L.]

Its your car,but, I would doubt you'll get better fuel mileage or more reliability with twin carburetors.. Headers won't make it more reliable either.. The camshaft and cylinder head change should add some power and maybe add a little extra fuel mileage without changing reliability..

[700rpm]

Start messing with the original recipe and you're likely to make it less reliable, not more.

[amedic]

If your running a babbit engine ... be careful .... you'll blow the bottom end right out of it by pumping up the top end too much!

[jerry shook]

ALS ROADSTER. IN MY OPENION IF YOU WONT TO DRIVE YOUR A ON TODAYS ROADS YOU NEED TO UPGRADE. I HAVE A BABBIT ENGIN , ADDED A 5-5 HEAD, 2-BARL DOWN DRAFT CARB, ELECTRONIC ING, LIGHTENED FLYWHEEL AND T5 TRANS. I RUN IT HARD EVERY DAY 55 TO 70 MPH , WITH NO PROBLEMS. IT DOES NOT TURN AS MANY RPM's AS IT USE TO. I LIKE MY NEW RECIPE A LOT BETTER. MERRY CHRISTMAS GOD BLESS

[jerry shook]

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May i add i get better fuel millage with the upgrades. And i will be adding headers, muffler and larger tail pipe , all for more power and fuel economy.

[Purdy Swoft]

Here is the dual updraft setup that I use on my roadster and it gets better gas milage than my completely stock model A's. At least it did, I havent checked the milage since the gas has been adultrated with ethanol.xxx

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by amedic

If your running a babbit engine ... be careful .... you'll blow the bottom end right out of it by pumping up the top end too much!

Not true! If your engine has sound babbitt and the bearings are sound you can run a head as high as 8-1 and a cam to match with large intakes and not hurt it. I have run a 8-1 head with a 330 cam and raced on a dirt track with no problems. When I quit racing I removed the head and sold the engine which is still touring in a fordor.

Just make sure the babbitt is good with clearances that are correct and you won't have any problems with a 5.5 head.

If you think the previous statement is true, look at some of the 50's and 60's diesels running babbitt bearings and 20-1 compression.

[Kurt in NJ]

A top speed in the 60-65 mph range, with fuel mileage around 20mpg, and a life of 25-50,000 miles before any major internal engine work should be expected of a stock engine built to Fords original tolerances.

How much more driveability and reliability do you want?

[John LaVoy]

Sounds like everyone has their opinion on reliability etc. For the Model A Times sedan we have babbit on the mains, new antique engine rods with inserts, a stipe cam, the snyder's 5.5 head but machined it some, the fs ignition zipper for auto advance and electronic ignition. It is run at 12 volt with an alternator, and has a Mitchell overdrive. We cruise at highway speeds no problem.

[john in illinois]

I have a 5.5 head,Stipe 330 cam,stock Zenith and stock exhaust. I also have a 4 speed transmission with overdrive. I drove 6,000 miles last summer and had no problems. I think some kind of overdrive will give you the best driveability and engine life. Next would be small mods such as HC head and cam.

Have fun and welcome to model A's.

[1930artdeco]

Here is my 2 cents worth....Since you have a roadster and I going to assume that your engine is sound and tight. If all you did was add a HC head you will be more than fine since the car is so light. If you then add a cam and maybe an OD later, you will be more than fine. The headers and dual carbs. are for the racers in my opinion. As far as reliability, you can't really improve that much on it as it is really reliable if done correctly as is.

The mods I did to my car are more for keeping up with traffic here in Cali. as my car is so heavy. I still drive her at the 50 mph mark as I don't trust the other drivers and lights around my neck of the woods.

Mike

[PC/SR]

Decide how you want to drive the car. If you are just going to tour with it, start with an HC head, which is quick and easy to do, and see how you like it. You dont need dual carbs or headers unless you are going to start going to hill climbs.

[als roadster]

what kind transmission and setup do you have?

[Bill Stipe]

I will add a little on the headers. They are not needed and will not help your HP unless you can build over 90 HP I have dyno tested up to 100 HP with the Ford exhaust manifold and the header did not increase it on my dyno tests. The original manifold does flow very well.

[columbiA]

On my 30 coupe I run a 33B engine with a5.9 Brumfield head & a modified Columbia OD with 4.11 gears,28% OD& 2.94 ratio.It can cruise all day at 60 mph & pull most hills in OD. My 31 SW sedan also runs the Columbia with the same ratios & it pulls the hills quite well considering the heavy body &stock A engine

[cheepsk8]

Just put a Snyder's 5.5 on my 30 coupe along with a totally rebuilt stock carb and my dist. broke on the way out so there was another hundred. Anyway the difference was amazing. The head didn't give me much bottom end but the 45-50 mph was easier to get to and the hills are easier to flatten out. Hope this helps. Now i gotta try slowing down..... Brakes are next!

[BCCHOPIT]

Originally Posted by amedic

If your running a babbit engine ... be careful .... you'll blow the bottom end right out of it by pumping up the top end too much!

That is some funny stuff...
bigger carb - Head - and a cam (the bigger the better)

[JtownJoe]

Hi, I have electronic ignition, BF 5.9 Head, Stipe Cam & F-150 OD Tranny but get terrible gas mileage & just not happy with either my stock carb set up or my B carb. What downdraft set are you using?

[BCCHOPIT]

Adding a bigger carb and making more HP will not help gas mileage (but it is more fun)
What are you getting for gas mileage?