Carl, I have been following your build off and on from the start.....kinda parallels my adventures from a year ago(got it running for the "Day of the Drags"(last October).....I also had a wild hair to build a Flathead FED after running my Flathead 3w and "not going fast enough"(you've been there before...haha).....this is my 9 to 10 month build, very similar to your adventures.....all home built....from a lot of parts donated to the cause by friends along with a digging thru my stash, and reusing used bearings(hahaha).....Dang it is FUN(and I "know" that you get it!!!). One of these days I'm gonna figure out how to send the shots "the easy way, like you are doing" instead of taking 30 minutes trying to downsize them to attach like these! On of the most favorite times was when I got the chance to run against the historic Scorpion 1, built and driven by Don Ross. Seeing those 2 cars at the lineup was over the top for me!!!! Keep on posting....I'm having a blast following you, and looking forward to meeting you in person
Wow love to see more pics of your car and the specs on it, it looks great. I set up a webpage with the photo's and then just use the insert image control button on here, works great and I don't have to really cut down on the size too much I try to keep the pics at 12 x 9 on the web page and below 488kb whatever all that shit means....... Well got started working today and B&B got right in style, ran a grinder into my finger and got welding burn on arm and hot slag into ear from overhead welding. Will I ever learn? NA.......
Hey Carl: Keep me posted on what is going into the new engine package -- bore, stroke, crank, valves, cam and all that. Let me know if I can help with anything on it! If there are any special parts that you need, give me a hollar - might have them. Are you going to put a blower on the new motor? B&S
Here are my thoughts Dale 3/8 bore x 4 1/4 scat crank assy block has beefy center main already 1.6 intakes 1.5 exhaust Block is already ported and relieved, might need to open it up a little bit though I have a Schiffer cam in the garage but will have to check just what it is though, cam will be open to discussion Induction have choice of three duce, four duce, or maybe the 4-71 on the shelf with a 650 carb, or if I can find one an Enderle injector Ignition will be the vertex mag I built for it Have a set of heads already opened up for blower use if I decide to go that way and a few sets I can set up for nat aspirated........ anyway this is what I have plans for now its just making it happen, the slug in there now is way too slow............. Thoughts?
Unless it is already at 3 3/8 bore, take it to 3 5/16 instead - gives better cylinder wall thickness and you can still do a .020 and .040 overbore if needed. I think the big question that you'll need to answer is blown or not. The reason is that the whole rest of the package has to reflect this choice. If you're going N/A, then you'll want a lot more compression and you'll setup the chambers, relief, pistons, etc - as such. If you're going for blown, then you'll want more flow and let the blower "stuff it" full of a charge. I will say that once you put a blower on a flathead, you'll never go back if you have a choice . . . just too damn fun! If you already have a blower, then maybe just "shoot the moon" and go for it! That is what I'd do. On the crank - you can get away with limited boost on a cast crank (Merc or SCAT) - if you're going to thrash on it and run it hard, then you'll have to move up to a billet crank, crankshaft girdle (like Doug King makes), etc.. You might consider building a mild blown motor, SCAT crank, with forged pistons, H-beam rods, and keep the boost down a bit and have some fun. The minute you head down the billet crank direction, you're talking $3,000 for a crank (and I'd go with Crower over Moldex). I'm not super impressed with the SCAT cranks for heavy blown applications - they just don't last too long. I still think a girdle and steel mains from Doug is a good thing (for any blown application) - just a bit of money (though he charges a fair price). You'll have to align bore/hone the block, etc.. It does add a lot of strength to the lower end - good insurance for an expensive motor if you ask me! Pete1 can grind you a nice blower grind that you'll have fun with - something around .400 lift and some duration. If you have a good core, that is the route I'd go on the cam. Crower can make roller cams, but with lifters and all - you're talking about $1250+. Carbs or Injection: If I was going blown, you might want to start with a carb (have fun for a year), then maybe switch over to a 2-port Hilborn 4-71 hat injector. Might even want to switch over to blown alcohol . . . not a bad idea! Anyway, keep in touch - be happy to lend advise whenever you need some. Consider it going to the 'Fortune Teller' -- keep what you want, throw the rest out
Dale the block is already 3 3/8 so that's set for now I know I have to make up my mind but remember I want to keep it over 10 sec so I won't have to get a new chassis and can run my car on NHRA strips plus if I don't go blown I can use my existing safety suit and not have to upgrade, all considerations I have to make, as I am retired and really am trying to do this as cheap as possible I know cheap and racing are two words that do not mix but what the hell we can try can't we? (that"s what I tell my bride)
If you just keep things simple and don't get to wild on the boost or RPMs, you'll be okay with a blower. Send me a picture of the center main setup - just so I can see what you have. I'd recommend having the block sonic tested - just so you can understand how much cylinder wall thickness you have. If it is thin, you may not want to go blown as it will increase the cylinder pressure. One thing to note, outside of the manifold and the drive setup - a blown flathead doesn't have to be more difficult to build than a N/A setup. I would try to run some better rods than 21A's -- but just use an offset-ground 4 1/8 stroker MERC crank and you'll have a 296 . . . with a blower, that will scoot! I don't think you'll get below 10 unless you're really hooking the thing up and pushing it a bit (especially on a carb). Anyway - you'll have a ton of fun no matter what you do . . . looking forward to meeting you at BVille with the FlatCAD team! B&S
Yea I know Dale as the truck is blown and I did that 10 years ago and haven't looked back as I am a believer in huffin a flattie, re built it 2years ago with bigger crank and eagle rods ect ect ect, and am really happy with it. Told myself that I will never build one for myself that isn't blown but the dragster is a different story with all the assorted NHRA requirements I even thought of alky and filling the block but then I would have to get new safety equip. so here I am again maybe I should just bite the bullet and spring for new safety gear oh well decisions, decisions, decisions, here is a pic of the center cap, should handle all I am going to put to it...
You're hosed now . . . just can't help yourself can yah? I know the feeling, I'm working on a design for a 5-main flathead crankshaft - all goofy race shit, but I just can't help myself. This crap is addicting - once you've tasted the blown flathead drug . . . you only want more . . . Pass me the big Flathead Bong . . . gurgle, gurgle, gurgle . . . damn "huffers"
Hell Dale its been addicting to me since 59 and only gets worse as I get older, and have the time and funds now........Shit I can't take it with me so I might as well enjoy it....................... I think I may blame Rocky and the Eagle Field experience for what has happened the last three years but it is worth it....... Now with me and the grandson going to Bonneyville this I hope I don't get addicted to something else...................hell Y not..............
Looking forward to meeting you! If your still in the building stages of your motor, we should chat - maybe I can lend a couple ideas? Maybe I can 'imagineer' with you a bit! If not - what the hell, we'll have a beer and 'bench race' a bit. Please come by and see the FlatCad team - we can use all the support from fellow "Flat" guys that we can get. Bring your grandson on by, maybe we'll put him "to work" a bit and give him a bit more of the FlatCad experience - is always good to get kids involved when they're young. Nothing better than meeting and working with our HAMB brothers!
Dale, yea looking forward to meeting you and Buddy and the Flatcad group I'm sure the grandson will enjoy every minute of this trip and have memories for a lifetime, we will try our best to see to it............... Roc should see ya on the 31st...........
Looks like a nice pice there Carl highly contagious stuff, this is! Isn't there a cure? or just i have to live with it? Kjell ................................. Taildragger&fenderless
Talked to Elmer yesterday Carl, told him you said hi and your progress. Then we started talking about Stroker Cranks and he told me that "Back in the Day" he used to Arc Weld the Rod Journals himself then take th Cranks to Hayward and have them ground, I could learn from Elmer all day
Yea Roc that's why I really enjoy talking to the "legends" they have forgot more than I will ever know............... and I have been around the block a few times in my life, there you don't have to say it.........
Carl, there is a certain guy out there in Calif, I think his name is Henry....Velasco? He's a hell of a nice guy and has forgotten more than most people ever know about cranks. And he is very, very reasonable on crank work. I'm sure you know him.
Wow Carl! I haven't been here in a while, what have I been missing. Looks like we are going to need to watch out at Eagle in Oct.
Buddy every day is christmas, as long as I wake up and see the grass from this side....... Thanks for the info Lippy Tim at the rate I move it may be next may Roc its an aluminum lung, and yes that's the final plan if I can't give them a run for their money (or beer as the case may be)..........
The Jalopy Journal
