1922 Dodge 4 cylinder supercharged?

I have a decent 1922 Dodge that I would like to do something out of the ordinary with. A few years ago I saw a similar early Dodge bros. speedster running with a small Roots type blower on it. I would like to explore a similar concoction. Does anyone here have the experience to share information? I have a small slower running roots blower that will not run over 3500 RPM and when against the red line will do about 8 lbs boost. I just don't know what calculations you use to determine how much boost an engine can stand. I am not after a screaming tire burner but maybe add 10+ HP and still be roadable. If anyone can help or direct me to a better forum if this one is not the best place, please speak up. My email is: alsfarms@hotmail.com
Alan

 

Someone will chime in. There are 4 cyl Bonneville racers here as well as backyard 4 cyl guys.

 

Blower for 10 horse power seems like lots of work.

There's plenty of graphs to get you going in the right direction. What blower do you have ? Do you know the cfm of the blower.

The 8 psi of boost at 3500 Rpms is relative only if have the cubic inches of the engine it was on.

 

Thanks for the response. The Roots blower may not be what I want and maybe my guess as to HP output is also off. I just don't want to break a crank while I am messing around. Here are a few spec's from the blower: at 1750 RPM, 4 PSI and 6.5 CFM, then at 3500 RPM, 4 PSI 19.5 CFM. The Dodge engine is 212 CU IN and puts out about 35 hp in stock form. I am still trying to learn so speak up.
Alan

 

Rich fox
look him up
tk

 

Is Rich Fox on this forum? What would his handle be and I will try a private message.
Alan

 

His "handle" is RichFox. Not much imagination there. Is a '22 a 5 main engine? I think it's 3 but I really don't know. tonymontana357@hotmail.com Knows about running a blown Fast Four Dodge Bros. on the salt. He would be your guy to talk to.

 

Your right, my 1922 Dodge is a 3 main engine. That is the reason I want to be careful if I pursue this blower idea. I do not want to overwhelm the crank. The engine, in original configuration, is rated about 35 HP. I would venture that the way the early Dodges, pre 5 main were built, the crank could probably live pushing 50 HP or maybe a bit more.
Alan

 

As You know, only the cam bearings get pressure oil. The mains live with drip and the rods splash. Bearing diameters are small. Be aware that the Montana boys use a billet crank, rods and pistons. As do I. And also billet main caps drilled for pressure from an external oil pump. And we have 5 mains.

 

Oldtimers have told me, running a 3 main bearing crank motor over 2500 RPM's for long periods, will knock out the center bearing...the crank "wobbles".

I'm talking about Model A Ford motors, not a '20's Dodge...someone on here might have another opinion or more experiance than me.

 

Hello All, If my Dodge were a bit later, 5 mains are very good! I have this one and am not trying to build a race car. It is in my goal to build maybe a 50 HP engine that would still be very drivable and have a bit more twist for the high speed rear end gears going in my car. I do agree with FORDY 6, crank flex at high RPM's and coupled with higher comp. could spell disaster and broken crank. I do not feel comfortable running over or near 2500 RPM's in the Dodge either. I also have an original Ricardo head for the Dodge but I am not sure it will net much in the way of HP. Does anyone have spec's on the aftermarket Ricardo heads?
Alan

 

I ran my Plymouth PB at around 4000 for 3 miles several times with no failures. It had 9 to 1 CR. Three mains but a (sort of) counterweighted crank, insert mains full pressure to rods and mains and 2 1/4 inch main journals. A very solid bottom end compared to Ford, Chevy and Dodge Bros bangers.

 

Hello Rich Fox, The early Dodge (pre fast four) is a well built tractor engine, pardon the pun. Good low end torque and not a high RPM engine. I didn't know the PB Plymouth would do what you mentioned, and live to tell the story. My Dodge will stay with mostly stock irrigation type oiling. The Fast Four type Dodge is a step into the future for Dodge. Nash and many of the other straight 6 and straight 8 producers used 7 and 9 main engines and they were very robust. I have thought of some form of counter balancing the Dodge crank but haven't declared a good idea yet.

 

The Montana Fast Four guys ran the stock crank, with counterweights and much modification, successfully unblown. They went billet for the blown motor. I started out with the Billet crank thinking I would save time and money in the long run.

 

Rich Fox, Could you describe your engine and performance, year, basically what you have done? It may help me, and others following along, as I seriously consider some updates for my engine. What is your source for billet cranks? I have lightly considered putting a couple of girdles in my block and go with a five main crank. After all, it is just time and money.

 

http://www.fastfourspecial.com/index.html

 

Nice website for early Dodge guys. I will send an email direct.

 

I think if you go to the Landracing.com site and look in Build dirarys you will find lots of pictures of my Dodge. Mine is a Crower crank the Fast Four guys have a Moldex. Mine is not running yet. I have a Morton & Brett OHV conversion on mine. The Plymouth has been well do***ented here on the HAMB

 

I might be interested in the Ricardo if you want to unload it.

 

Hello NoboD and Rich Fox
I will need to make several decisions, about my car, before I should decide to sale. I have never seen another Ricardo for my vintage Dodge before and it is actually a nice looking head. What are you building? Rich Fox, it must be a good story about your acquiring the Morton & Brett head. I did not know they built for Plymouth.
Alan

 

I have a '24 coupe that needs a little more zip. Please put me first on the list if you decide to sell.

 

That WOULD be a nice finishing touch to a beautiful coupe, Doug

... you should share a pic!

 

I will try to attach a few pictures of my early Dodge Ricardo head. Haven't decided if I plan to use this head or not. It does look nice though.
Alan

 

If you have an original Dodge head from the 1920's turn it over and tell us how different the combustion chamber is. I do not have the head off my engine yet.
Alan

 

LOL- thanks for sharing Alan, that's a GREAT looking head!... but I was busting Doug's chops about showing you all his coupe

 

There's a clown at every party, Mac! If I was smart enough I could post a picture of my coupe, BUT. I don't have a stock head off of an engine to compare. From what I remember Ricardo's claim to fame was spark plug placement and chamber shape to enhance flow.

 

I agree, probably a bit better comp. ratio, but from the looks of the combustion chamber, the Ricardo head is trying to get a good mix and burn all of the fuel. Hey, noboD, study it up and get a picture of your coupe posted. I have a second Dodge Bros. project out in the weed patch. It is a 1923 Leather back coupe also. I have a set of 24" Houk wires for the first project and plan to use a set of disc wheels for the coupe. What wheels do you have on your coupe?
Al

 

Let's see if this works.

 

I CAN SEE!!!

That IS a gorgeous coupe, Doug!

 

'26 head top and bottom. Also .26 bolted in, front and rear, my roadster