Two icons (Jon Clark & Jim Khougaz) appear to be hovering over a mysterious motor on the cover of the May, 1955 issue of Hot Rod Magazine. On the index page, a short paragraph explains that the converted flathead once powered the "City of Burbank" ... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
Here's a bit on it.. aparently there is a one in bill smiths museum "This '46 Mercury mill was hot rodded with OHV heads from Adams-Moller, C-T Automotive back in 1951. The engine was used in a Bonneville streamliner during that period. Wood molds for various head, manifolds, and other parts, are displayed behind the engine" and some info on the car http://www.ugofadini.com/hilldavisstory.html
I'll be damned... Of course Speedy Bill has it... Check out the upper rocker covers... The bottoms look like Olds. Really cool.
haha I didn't even realize the picture in the background at the museum is the same picture you posted.
Car made the cover of Hot Rod in November 1952, feature shows the heads on & off the engine. Car equiped with the C-T heads set an International Class C record of 229.77MPH
This***** is what makes the HAMB what it is. Thanks guys. I just can't get over how much is obtainable on this site. Oh yeah I am also having a hard time trying juggle the Hamb with my school work for this semester..LOL
I think Speedy Bill's place has the Holy Grail in it somewhere . He has THE most incredible collection of junk that one can have. I remember looking in awe at the air-cooled flathead in the collection amongst other stuff. It is great that he is helping to perpetuate the hot rod history.
I'm so greatful there is a place to vent all the stuff I've picked up over the years..................no good if I can't share it. It did take me an extra 5 minutes to post my first reply due to the stack of other stuff blocking the good stuff in the closet.
This place is just amazing. The stuff we get to talk about here. I find stuff here all day long and am still amazed at what I learn everyday. VIVA LA H.A.M.B!!!!
Cool looking motor for sure. Now I am really confused. I see where the pushrods are for the intake rockers, where and how are they running the pushrods for the exhaust side? I dont see any way possible to run pushrods to the exhaust side of things and no chain or gear drive is evident.
The only thing I can think of is that the rod is running 90 degrees from the initail push rod off the cam using a bell crank type rocker. The second rod runs horizontal to the deck and then to the exhaust rocker to valve.
Loads of pics and info on the Speedy Bill website! http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/Collections/Engines/E008.shtml http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/
Exhaust pushrod runs at a 90* angle to the intake pushrod' It's running at the same plane as the cylinder deck.on bell crank rockers. Look real close. Way cool,as the stuff that pops up on here amazes me!!!! And for Speedy Bill,If it's a Flat-Head he has it or he's trying to buy it for the collection>>>>.
I've long thought the Adams-Moller was the neatest of the Flathead OHV conversions. If only Speedy Bill would put those patterns to good use and cast me a set... I'll take that distributor drive, too.
if you look closely you can see a rod running from first rocker arm****embly over to the other side in front and below the rocker shaft, . Looks like they could have lots of flex in the pushrods off the cam. Could use an intermediate lifter and rod.I have heard that BUICK had a double rocker set up in designing the nailhead, seems it could have been if you look at how Buick,s rockers are positioned. hmmm 4 valve nailhead? 'Now that would be an engine!' but heck, now we can buy a DOHC !
320 HP in a flathead unblown in 1952 seems astonishing! Imagine that thing with a huffer on it. (Dream on....dream on)
I think this rocker setup is what is called a "Bristol Design" Duntov used it in the V8-60 ARDUN heads.
uncommon engineering makes an SOHC conversion for flathead fords... i believe the price a year ago was about $30,000.00
I think BMW did the original design, and Bristol used it after the war - as on the early AC Ace - which went on to become the basis for the Cobra. I sure remember the photos in Hot Rod. Great fun, Thanks Ryan.