Hey everyone, I'm working on a 49 Tudor sedan. The engine is in the machine shop, and looking good. It has come to the point in the build where I need to decide on valves. I have a Schneider 260f cam and I'm planning on running a four barrel carb. I am using valve guides from speedway, are their stainless valves my best bet or is there a better option? Thanks for the help. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have seen some really bad things happen to engines when using chinese valve gear.try and see where they are made. If they are US made they should be OK.
I would invest in proven valves, even good Ford ones if you haven't done major port work. I have not been hearing good things about Speedway brand parts and since flattys are bank to build, there really should be no corners cut in a precision machine.
Good tips guys. But spill the beans on genuine quality usa brands please. I know folk say Reds , but are his off shore or not? We sure don't want to save a few bucks and be dead in the water when offshore leaves us broken down and dead in the water. In my opinion the few small dollars saved isn't worth it in the long run, don't want to rebuild the old flatty twice. "the-bitterness-of-poor-quality-remains-long-after-the-sweetness-of-low-price-is-forgotten." -benjamin-franklin/
you can use chevy exhaust valves. manley has all kinds to choose from. same size as the flathead valves and just a little longer--great if you have a high-lift cam.
I use Manley valves in any performance application. Ferrea is about the top of the heap I reckon if you just have extra money burning a hole in your pocket.
Just curious, what does the length of valve stem have to do with Cam lobe lift? I would think a taller Cam Lobe would want a shorter valve stem if anything. Specialy for an in block valve location. The Wizzard
Pist-n-broke to get the higher lift and still fit in the cam tunnel they shrink the base circle of the cam lobe. So the longer valve stem makes up for the lifter starting lower. D
Honestly, I'm not looking to make tons of power with this engine. I'm really just looking for something reliable, that will get my 49 Ford Tudor down the road. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sounds like you're looking to build a nice streetable car. You can gain a lot by taking some care with the running gear. A later model transmission (such as a T-5) or even a stock overdrive setup (if you don't already have one) will allow you to run a deeper rear end gear that will help performance around town. I am in the process of putting a '51 Merc engine. In my '51 club coupe. The longer stroke of the Merc produces more torque than the Ford, so it should help with this relatively heavy car. I was considering an aftermarket cam, but decided to keep the Merc cam as it's specs are as good or better than some mild aftermarket cams. I am adding a set of finned aluminum heads that will be massaged to provide .040 to .050 "squish of the piston, as well as a set of Fenton headers and a converted SBC dual-point Mallory distributor with vacuum advance. I have several carburetor setups (multiple and 4-BBL) I can try, but I am going to start out with a Rochester 2GC on a bored out Merc manifold for simplicity's sake. Since my car doesn't have overdrive, I am going to swap in a stock setup that I have. I will start by keeping the 3.55 rear end I already have, hoping I will have enough torque to pull it. I am keeping my eyes open for a 4.11, though. It looks like we are trying to accomplish the same thing. I should have mine put together in a month or so,. When I get a handle on what I have, I'll get back to you with the results. Good luck with your project.
I called reds headers and told them what I was doing and they gave me some options. 49 sedan I'm at the same point in my rebuild.
Thanks again guys. I had my stock cam reground by Schneider to the 260f. At that point I intended to put it in a model a. I'm thinking this is going to be a bit much for my shoebox. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I look forward to hearing your results Tubman. This project is just starting. I'm doing floors and rockers now. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I am pretty sure speedway is all American made. But who knows these days. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I had forgotten about this thread until it was brought back up today. I have had my combination (warned over '51 Merc in a '51 Ford) for almost 2 years now, and I am very happy with it. It performs adequately for my purposes. The only complaint I might have is that it is not quite as quick off the line as I would like. I believe that is probably a function of the 3.55 rear end gears. However, it has proven capable of easily cruising long distances at 75-80 mph on the freeway and is completely adequate in all other aspects, so I am quite satisfied as it is. The overdrive setup is still under the bench and will probably stay there for the foreseeable future. This car is my summer daily driver and performs that function quite well. I think that installing the overdrive unit without changing the rear end gears to 4.11's would help the acceleration shortcoming, but I don't want to sacrifice the "cruisablity" that I now have. While I'm keeping my eyes open for a proper rear end "chunk", I'm really not looking that hard.
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