Hot Rods Model A head

I posted this on the Ford barn also. The cyl. head on my Model is cracked I have a good red Winfield 7.1 head that I purchased in 1955 and never used. Would in be advisable to use this head? Would it be to much compression for a stock A? Are those old Red Winfield heads worth anything?
Thanks

 

I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment, those ‘ol Bell Auto aluminum Winfield heads run great! If you don’t change the cam or carb... it won’t make a huge difference to how the engine runs, but will make better power down in the low range.

The babbit bearings will take the load just fine... it’s when you change the carb and cam and start winding the thing above 3k that you will start to see the bearings go away

I would double check the combustion chamber volume as there are some 10:1 heads out there... and that could make a difference to the bearings! May also have to counterbore the head so the pistons will clear, but this is unique to each motor

 

I think 7.1 is a bit high for babbit bearings.The new made head makers like Snyders recommend staying below 6.5--6.8 for stock engines.A thicker head gasket might bring you down in to that range.Driving easy might be fine too, dont hammer it on long up hill grades.

 

You bought that head in 1955 and still have it! Id definately have to run it. Have you had the car since 55 too?

 

No,many cars have come and gone simce then. I bought the head and a dual down draft carb manifold from a friend and have hussng on the htem.

 

Run it!

 

old tom......PM sent your way.

Lynn

 

While I do agree that 7:1 is high for babbit bearings... I do not believe it is excessive. I have been running 7.25:1 in my T speedster for 10+ years. This motor is A crank and babbit bearings. I do admit that I run full pressure oil, but this doesn’t change the load capability of the bearing just increases the oiling reliability at higher RPMs.

I also sent an A motor to Bonneville years ago... this one was stock A crank, A rods, all babbit bearings, and stock oil pump. All the rest was full tilt boogie! 9.5:1 Winfield head, full race cam, ported and polished, tulip cut valves, forged pistons, 500 cfm Holley 2 barrel, tuned header, T5 trans, etc... we had it on the dyno at 125 hp, and was shifting at 4500 rpm!! This is when you worry about the bearings...