I’m getting more and more interested in an OHV Head. I believe there are 3 options available. Cragar from Dan Price, Miller from Steve Serr and 4 Port Riley from H&H Antique. I like the Miller head but the 4 Port Riley is a close second. Does anyone have an opinion on these two or words of wisdom? If I purchase one and that’s a big if, it will most likely sit on the shelf for a couple years for future use.
Mama took the kids outta town for a few days… and I only plan on goin in the house to squat and sleep! Today was exhaust day. I missed the cutoff on Friday to be able to pick up supplies, so makin it work with what I’ve got. An ol VW stinger that I’ve been saving for 20 years and a single 2” U bend was barely enough to do the hard part. This week I’ll pick up a piece of straight 2.5” tube to run it out the back and also build the rear hanger
I have a Serr Miller Head on our Victoria, and we have over 70,000 miles on the car, different engine blocks, same head. We live in Colorado, a lot of mountain driving, and have completed the Great Race twice (over 3,000 miles in 10 days) with no problems. Our Speedster has an original Riley 4-Port Head (dated 4/17/1934), I’m sure the new Riley is similar, better in some ways (self oiling as an example). It develops a lot more power, but there are other engine enhancements. In my opinion, your choice depends on how you are going to use the VEHICLE with the OHV. The Dan Price Head and New Riley are both 4-Port, Cross Flow Heads. Both of these heads come with intake manifolds, designed for a dual carburetor set-up. Both of these heads are designed for higher performance engines. I don’t know their compression ratio, or if they use standard readability available parts valves, valve guides, valve springs, etc. Because these are 4-Port heads, a more radical duration camshaft can be used. The Serr Miller Head is a two port head that uses standard Model A or Model B intake manifold with a wide selection of carburetors that can be used. The parts used are standard (Chevrolet I think) valves, valve guides, valve springs, etc., making repair easier. As I mentioned, if you want higher performance, the Dan Price or Riley 4-Port is a better option, if the vehicle is more of a daily driver, the Miller is probably the better option.
Thanks for the thorough reply. You have given me some food for thought. I know I want to drive it often in season. I figured the Serr Miller would be well suited for that but I've become increasingly interested in the Riley 4-Port. I do know I don't want a high strung motor. Not super tame either, oh well, plenty to think about. What cam are you running in the Serr?
The engine in the Victoria is a Burtz Block, Miller Head, Coated JE Pistons, FSI Electronic Ignition, Brierley M-13 Cam, and Stromberg 48 Carburetor. I use the Stromberg Carb to meet Great Race requirements (pre 1949 Carb). The Weber Carb might be a better option otherwise. The Victoria engine produces 84 HP at the rear wheels, and I have driven the car over 80 MPH, just to check. Note that I also use a Mitchell Overdrive.
Picked up another one today. Supposedly ran when taken out. I’ll take this one apart, see what crank it has and hope the block is good. The crank pulley is different than my others and it’s a Diamond block.
Well....I just pulled the intake manifold off to swap to the downdraft and there is a bit of water in the intake ports...hmmm. not good. Thinking headgasket or the block has been previously overheated and they're cracked. Not sure of my next step.
Sorry to see this. It’s interesting to see the problems occurring with these old engines. the cause and solutions. I hope it’s a simple fix.
Thanks. I've been looking into the combustion chambers. And it looks like the water is coming from inside the chambers on 2 and 3. I'm pulling the head next.
If it were mine to troubleshoot, I would start with a leakdown tester. If it is the gasket, you would have leakage into the water/radiator. So, an observation, if this is the intake port between 1&2 and the leak is in the port itself, it will make 1&2 show rust in the chambers. If in fact you are seeing rust in 2 & 3, there are more things going on. J
Still clocking up some running in miles - drove to work today. Around 450 miles so far. Approaching 100 miles on the new fuel pump. Couldn't resist winding her up a little on the bypass though... GPS Speedo app on my phone. Just under 2700rpm I reckon.
I gave it the ol' sniff test and I can smell the exhaust gas in the radiator. Thanks that was my first hope as well, but I think I'm onto what the issue is, fairly certain a failed or inaccurate torque wrench is to blame. I'll have one this afternoon to test against. The real question is now, do I take the time to swap from the super winfield to an original red head?
Sold my 31 Cabriolet today back to the people I bought it from as they wanted first rights of refusal if I were to sell it. Won't be going too far away and I don't think it'll be driving much but oh well. Now I've got room to move my 41 coupe .home here's a picture of me jumping the people that bought it s 40 after there alternator took a dump .
Does anyone know of a machine shop in San Diego area, even high as Orange County, that does bangers and knows what they’re doing? Looking to have my block gone thru and have machined for insert bearings. And probably a few more things.
The fastest I've ever had my truck was 68 mph. So 75 sounds pretty good, especially being easy in it. Have you calculated fuel mileage by chance?
Not yet. On the trip to Wales last year I managed around 25mpg with my Brierley head and a Stipe 340 in the diamond B. Previously it was around 22 with my previous engine. All back roads as much as possible. Hoping for around the same with the Burtz engine as long as I don't sit in the 70's too much! 55-65 seems a sweet spot. I'm running a 3.27 rear end in the Coupe behind a stock A transmission. Seems to pull it OK.
I figured I would see improved fuel mileage with a new "more efficient" engine. If I get 20+, I'll be really pleased.
The AutoRama is this Weekend at Cal Expo in Sacramento. The NorCal FAST group has an space in the building reserved for clubs to display member cars. We have 11-12 banger powered cars in the display this year along with several engines on stands. A good mix of Model T powered as well as A/B powered. I thought you guys might enjoy a few pictures. A little banger porn never heart anyone!
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