Does anyone know what color a Winfield head was painted from the factory? Or were they even painted at all? My dad is building a 29 RPU that will have a prewar hop up theme. It will be like you took a totally stock truck and bolted on a few aftermarket parts...Winfield head, two carbs, 16" Kelseys, reversed eye springs, etc. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Neal
There is something in an old issue of Secrets on this--from memory, there were 3 flavors: Yellow for high compression, red for realdamn high compression, green for some sort of commercial head.
Hey Neal, I'm building the same theme but a closed cab. We need to swap info as I've never had a banger project before. I have an NOS high-compression B head and a neat dual carb intake. Thanks Jim
[ QUOTE ] ...from memory, there were 3 flavors: Yellow for high compression, red for real damn high compression, green for some sort of commercial head. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks for the info Bruce. We better go with red then Jim - I just helped my dad on his front suspension this last weekend. The plan is to use a 32 "heavy", reversed eye, and still use the model A mechanical brakes. He scored a nice pair of original 32 spring perches, so I think we can piece it all together. My brother has a little trick that involves some machine work to make the brakes work better, we'll see how they work. Neal
I thought about using them myself just to make it all easier. Did you notice that the Model A brakes have very short studs? Got any lines on another '32 Heavy axle? Are you using the A spindles? Thanks Jim
Yeah Jim, we saw the short studs. I think we going to grind the 32 perches a little thinner and use a lock nut instead of a lock washer. And yes, he is using Model A spindles. I know where several 32 heavy axles are, but I don't think any of them are for sale. I have a 32/33-36 axle that I would sell. Neal
You can get those Model A brakes to lock up when you hit the pedal if you adjust them right. You will have no problem stopping that Winfield.
Glad to hear you guys are buildin bangers. Wish I had one to dig into. Like Elrod said, stoppin it wont be a problem. The mechanicals tend to do the job pretty well.
Neal, Id'e go with the ford green. Most racers back in "the day" would grind the winfield out and make it look stock. Less you got an aluminum head...... my two pennies.
If you've got a few extra bucks, you can get Cast iron drums for less fade. Might get around to A/B stuff one day, still playing with T Hopup gear.
Red's the Deal Neal! I think they were about 7 or 8:1 The highest compresion Winfields. Mine is supposed to have been trimmed to a 10:1, ? I would suggest no more tha about 7 or maybe 8 for the street and reliability. Can't tell you how many head gaskets I've replaced in the last 3 years! Grab a Gear! Mitch
[ QUOTE ] ... green for some sort of commercial head. [/ QUOTE ] Well after closer inspection, the head is stamped "COM. 7", which I would assume to be Commercial 7:1 CR. Any idea what the difference in the commercial head would be? Neal
Yer killin me, Neal..I had planned to follow your build plan with the 30 closed cab I inherited from my father but it was stolen before I could even bring it home. Keep us up to speed on you progress, ok?
Seems like no one answered your question on this thread so... If your head is original... Check the flat casting on the pass. side stamped with a buncha' useless numbers. The first # is actually the compression ratio as it left the foundry(7=7:1cr). ***NOTE: Lots of old heads were milled by racers*** have a compression test to be sure*** 6:1 cr was yellow 7:1 cr was red Green was for industrial trucks to give em a little boost, I dont know the cr. These were, and in my opinion might still be, the best flatheads for the A. My family has been running and racing them for 50 years and no problems. -RNB
New Winfields are still available from Speciality, though they have no fly-cut so if your pistons pop-up you'll need to get the head machined.
cool post, I love it that there's other banger dudes on here doing the same theme! there should be some neato pre war rods runnin around in the future- I'm going to run a lion speed head in the future or at least that's the plan and I'll paint the head red if it's not already. I too am running mechanical brakes and reveresed eyes in front and back and wire wheels. there are a few pics on my post "pics of my '28 rpu" on the messageboard. would like to see some of what you fellows are doing
The last comment on this thread is from a while back, so I thought I would see if anyone new knows anything... I picked up an original cast iron Winfield head -- 7:1, so that's a "red" head. Anyone know what shade of red they used originally? Or, even just generally, whether it was bright red or darker, etc. Thanks, -Jeff
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