3W , I think you should proceed with it . Unless the block is really bad,,,it can be fixed with a sleeve it sounds like . If you go with the Ardun setup,,,,,the ports in the block don’t matter . You can seal them off if need be . I don’t know how much comes with the kit from H&H,,,,,,if it’s only heads or a complete conversion kit ? I’m sure you can afford it,,,,,,if you build old hot rods,,,,you already know the work and money involved . Good luck man ! Tommy
banjorear, I'm not talking about a set of Ardun heads cost ex 8 or 10K. They cost 16K and for me freight and taxes ( plus other parts I need ) But allot of parts I need anyway Ardun heads or not. -Let me explain. What I did mean was I got a block and it was cracked, so I got it pretty much for free ( less gas ) Let’s say I find a running motor here in Sweden or import one. It will be allot of parts I don't need and what will it cost me, 2K up to 3-4K or more ? I got a hurted journal Merc crank from a buddy so grinded it myself it will cost me bearings. I found a set of good std rods and a oilpan. Let's say I could not do maching myself, so that would cost me hot tank, deck, bore/hone etc. If I was going traditional I need get heads and if new ones maybe 1K and if Harrells new made 2K (?) If I wanted really nice old ones, what will one pay, 3K or more ? Going Ardun kit I don't need to get the FH heads. Going traditional I need valves, springs, seats, keepers, retainers, seals, and going Ardun's kit I dont need that parts. And if I not could machine it would cost me a valvejob to.. The price on the kit as H&H said was 'pretty' all I needed was at 16K. Now, if I can heal the cracked block by use a normal head gasket that seal over the sleeve and chem metal the crack in the exhaust port - I has a block for near free. So add up the sum here I 'save' some money instead try to get a non cracked block, ex a stroker kit and let someone do machining and the valvetrain parts. I then don't really pay more than 8-10K for the Ardun head kit. Siunds strange, well this is one way lie around a case to get it happend.. ;-) Still, I don't know if the block will be Ok with a sleeve. I try get info, otherwise I might try or just wind it, get a 'runner' and install a new set of Offenhauser etc.
Thanks for explaining. Worst case scenario is that after all you'll need another block-but you already will have everything else to build your Ardun motor. Go for it!.
Yes I asked Ron and he said pressuare check it. I know it would not pass a leaktest now but after a sleeve in and chem in crack/port. I install a gasket and a TQ and test it and I'm pretty shore it will hold up, if not - then I know. It was a movie on youtube that Ron show he grinded upp in seat for the pushrod angle but I did not see or heard of he filled up the port with weld or chem metal. I heard they weld or fill it with chem but I can't see the reson. I'm ready invest the extra 8-10K in it. Even if my coupe will has all Henry parts I can live with new parts. Benefits are there as one 'just can bought them’ ( no hunt etc ) and better material, more stiffness, better oiling, better rockers and I can get a kit and a cam. Listen to this cam H&H installed, the sounds is magic to the ear. 1931 Ford Roadster For Sale at GT Auto Lounge - YouTube
If money is no object, Fergie makes blocks that are dedicated to his Ardun heads. They are spendy, but can handle all the potential power the Arduns can make.
I’m not after HP at all here. No burnouts, no hard driving, this is most for show and be able to use the car. This car will have a Lincoln 39 gearbox, 36 rearaxle, std 32 frame, std 32 front bones and 36 bones to TQ at rear and std 32 steering box so basically it's as my old Harry Ferguson 47 tractor ( but cooler ) and I see no use of power really over 150. I know Don Ferguson make a block but I’m not into that at all. The Ardun heads is really a cool look but I would be all Ok with finned alu heads to. The idea here was basic I had hard time find a block, but if I can save the block I has parts to engine both if I use std heads or Arduns. If block can be saved I can pay a extra 8K for the cool look to use Arduns ( but still need to pay the 16 grand ofcourse ) -Shore, I would prefere a std set of Arduns, but where to find them, what is price now and maybe weld, new parts as guides, seats, valves, springs etc and machining. -Whit a new kit it really makes it lot more easy.
I like the way you figure your cost- but my better half is an accountant so she would not let it fly! It is really no different than the guys here who say it cost $$$ to rebuild those old chevy heads or small block, buy a crate motor or new aluminum heads. Your $$$, your pick which way to go.
Most easy way is do a old hot tod trick, get a newer engine from a wrecked car. I would not get a China made parts SBC instead I would use a LS1. Reliable, make some power and very cheap, good milage, no oil drip. But in my world I has hard see a hot rod whit a chevy van engine and auto in a 30’s Ford ( but thats me ) My 9 second 426 Hemi might feel nasty vs the Ardun deal, but in reality its just a old lazy elefant that cost plenty, so why use that when Mopar had 8 sec engines in stock eliminator on pallet ?
I heard of a set std out now at 25K ( huu ! That’s might be more than for a nitro funny.. I really wonder of this old parts when build a car around them, as few like that style based on just old stuff ( as a time bomber ) and its gets expensive so my guess one do it as one like because its must be very hard get the money back For some way they gets more pricy than in working condition in a engine or in a car.
The delta between an Ardun and a Flathead will be more than $8k, as the Flathead heads and valvetrain combined won't add up to $8k. An Ardun rotating assembly will be more expensive than a Flathead one, as will its intake, which only increases the cost difference between the two.
I have a 241 Dodge Hemi in my roadster. I have had countless people start explaining to others it is one of those Ardan engines. Everybody was happy to see one. Nobody knew the difference. I have a very nice disassembled Hemi Dodge KD-500 285HP 325 engine. $2500 It will fit in a 32 with a stock firewall.
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