2x4 Flathead V8 intake

I was at Bonneville when Ken ran that 51 Merc. It sounded and ran like BBC. We became friends when the SCTA needed to measure the cu in of the engine in impounds after he set the record and I was the one to do it. I will give no "secrets" but I was very suprised on what I saw. He just smiled. Not all his secrets were on the inside either.
We found out that we both worked in electrical power plants and communicated a few times over similar problems. Funny how the world works. One fine gentleman. He along with Karol Miller are the kind down to earth men who could show you it isn't cubic dollars that always go fast. . .

 

Like you, Jim, I've known Ken for many many years & crewed the Merc. I was also amazed at the sound that the engine makes for such small cubic inches.
When the engine is first fired, people come running to see the engine and are in disbelief when they do see it.
I first got to know Kenny thru Doug King (RIP) who was living in the Castro Valley/Hayward, CA area. Doug was big on Ardun's and thru him I was able to make contact with Ken.
Many people always thought there was a single item that made Kenny's Merc so fast.
Not so, just a fantastic combination of all items together. No single "Magic Bullet"
Jim

 

The last time I saw Ken Kloth run his Mercury at Bonneville years ago he used the carb as an air metering device on top of a big plenum, the car was port fuel injected. I also saw a yellow 32 roadster with Pennzoil on the side that had a home made 2 -4 tunnel ram on a flathead that set a record that same year, at least I think it was after going for 33 years its hard to tell. I recall that it had wood spacers under the carbs too

 

Jim.. I too was friends with Doug King and considered him a good friend. I always enjoyed our conversations not only at Bonneville but at the Antique National Drags when he was running his dragster. I first met him when his ARDUN was in the Red Head and he was not able drive due to some unfortunate problems. His modified roadster gave him his goals after many years. JD

 

Yes, Jim
Doug was another guy who would sit down with you and chat
about engines, cams etc. Nice fellow, did good work & made
those billet main caps.
He put me in touch with Mary(?) from the Bonneville ***n, I think,
who I called, and who then put me in contact with Kenny Kloth.
Small world, eh?
Jim