Event Coverage Ardun heads (Real)

Saw a real set of Ardun heads at Carlisle today!!! Along with intake. Never saw a real set before (how many real ones were produced). Think the price was reasonable for 17,000. One of the cool finds today...finally some better weather!!!

 

I saw a picture of them yesterday on FBook...as close as we can tell, 200-250 original sets made for the larger flathead, plus a few for the V8-60 (maybe only two of those left??). While they are now being reproduced, an original set for $17,000 seems reasonable, given how rare they are. The reproductions have some advantages, like better valve seats, and lighter pushrods, but still, an original set is a real find.

 

Yep, supposedly 250 sets were cast, but how many made it into hot rods/race cars is unknown. C-T Automotive sold around 50 sets according to some best guesses, the rest are ***umed to have been used on trucks/buses which is what they were originally designed for.

 

The set of heads in the pictures were under a work bench ! I sold the guy a 1960 stude lark g***er. He went inside to get me the cash,and under the bench I see these heads ,I could of died.only 10 miles from my house . ? . He tells me they are a very early set ?see those little round rods in the spark holes, they screw to the top of the plugs, like your lawn mower plugs.in later years they made plug wires to fit the plugs

 

Those are the later, more common version of the heads with the water outlet at the top center between the intake ports. The early heads had the port(s) exiting through the front and rear faces.

 

17 sets made for the V8-60. What does that make them worth?

 

Exactly as much as someone is willing to pay, just like if there were a million or just one set around.

 

Wonder if the seller was from NH? There was a set on Craigslist (!) a while back for that asking price. I emailed RonnieRoadster and he said they were the real deal, that he had checked them out for the guy. I was dubious because of where they were listed but I guess in this case it was unwarranted.

 

While the original Ardun heads have much nostalgic value the new Ferguson heads are far superior. If I had the money I'd still probably struggle with the originals along with some of Ferguson's new parts.