Looking at this thread again with my morning coffee, Roadsir, and I am curious. Was this built for someone and then not delivered for some reason? Seems an awful pricey build for a "spec" piece to sell. Don't mean to disparage the build, it is one heart stopping beautiful mill! But not the sort of thing you build without a home already in mind.
I'd like to point out that we are looking at a $55,000 flathead, and it's bolted to that engine stand at the bellhousing. Headers, blower, Arden heads....imagine the weight. To all those that insist a flathead needs to be mounted by the exhaust ports...I say "think again"
That is a late model block with the short bell housing, much stronger than the earlier extended bell housing. No way Rick would have mounted a pre-'48 block like with the extended housing. Another beautiful piece by Mr. Schnell.
To everyone who is saying "I'd rather have this or that," you're missing the point. The point is it's a beautiful engine fitted with desirable parts and is therefore something to be admired. If you want something like that, you likely won't be able to duplicate it for that cost, and if you don't want something like that, then just enjoy looking at it. You did click on an Ardun thread after all, and no one forced you to do it. I think most people here know how much 426s, 427s, 429s, and 454s cost.
Purely a labor of love I'd bet, a lot of both. Hot rodders have never been accused of being reasonable or conservative.
I've never seen a blown flathead that wasn't relieved before. Maybe it's an Ardun thing. Also, is the oil pan dry sumped or is it a style of 95% filtration?
Olcurmdgeon I have no idea, I don't know Rick on a personal level, just familiar with his cars and flatheads. My guess would be along the lines of @DDDenny , probably pure passion....I think its great that it's not only beautiful to look at but has the dyno sheets to back it up. I hope someone steps up. @pwschuh - Spot on..
Wow that's pretty, and has the go to match. Untill I win lotto, I'll just make do with my cast resin 1/8 scale version. Oh, and I'm going to have to steal that pic, maybe I'll turn it into a poster.
Be aweful tough to get the gasket to seal on a Ardun with a relieved block... I hope it doesn't sell until my lotto winnings come!
Ronnieroadster, Just a point for clarification: Wasn't GranCor for Granatelli Corporation? If so, it was the Granatelli brothers, not Grancor Bros.
My house cost $55,000 .pretty cool motor though Also when's the last time someone bought a $55k motor off Craigslist?
Bob Glidden used to assemble his engines rolling them around on top of a spare tire. Claimed that hanging them from an engine stand distorted the back two bores. I don't know if he was right or not, but there are those 85 wallys on his shelf, so...
Not missing the point at all. Just having a little fun poking the flatty guys. Looks like I hit the target.
is this the motor that was in that dragster? or is it the one he had in a `29 Tudor he had a few years back? or are they the same motor?
I agree on the girdle, that looks like a REALLY effective piece. Any time you can spread the load into the pan rails, it really works.
That is a beautiful engine, and some very impressive performance numbers for a flathead. I can appreciate the work and the collection of the various parts and components used.
A more thorough explanation of the reason that is true may be useful. Flathead valves/ports are under the very shallow area of the head and blocks were relieved to improve intake and exhaust flow into the cylinder. With overhead valves, and especially with hemispherical shaped combustion chambers, the valves/ports are completely unshrouded and flow freely. Hence, relieving the block with OHV heads is not only unnecessary for 'breathing but would increase combustion chamber volume and severely reduce compression ratio in the process. Ray
The Jalopy Journal
