Has anyone seen the article in Hemmings motor news yet about the 723 H.P. Ardun headed flathead built for Doug Kennys '29 Ford roadster? Here's the video I will try and post the link, but enjoy the sound for now!
Link to the story. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/au...LYdzL8ghOB3OVFz2NvnuOfUn3CG1MSrXUQYBdSvEFCS-U
I posted it a couple of days ago Here: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ardun-hp-question.1199936/#post-14940523
I'm having a hard time believing this since the flat head motor only has 3 mains.... Somethings bound to snap....
$100 bucks per HP is a good rule of thumb with flatheads I have found. That makes this flathead more than my first house, but faster!
You never heard of Ron Mains record holding flathead powered streamliner? Over 300 mph in 2003, I believe that record still stands. Trust me that's not a stock main girdle in that rotating assemble!
Have you ever picked up a Flathead crank? They weigh a few pounds more than a 428FE crank i.e they are quite stout. Flathead mains are nearly twice as wide as a standard 5 main V8 engine and as such are less prone to cap walk, and even better with a well engineered girdle. The 3 main concern is always voiced, but like most urban legends, it is highly overrated. There have been plenty of 500, 750, or even 1000+ Hp (Rick Schnell's "Slider") flatheads built and run with 3 mains. Would that be my first choice for a 24 Hrs of Leman's motor, probably not, but in 1/4 mile or even Salt Flat duty, they seem to do just fine. Ask someone who owned a 6.5 GM diesel about broken crankshafts. 5 - 4 bolt mains and a whopping 180 Hp lead to all sorts of problems for GM. Sometimes, there are other factors that come into play....
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