FLATCAD RACING Bonneville 2011 Build

Are 1" lines going to flow enough coolant to chill this beast, especially if they have to run from the rear cooling box to the engine and back?

 

Wow! I'm not really into Flathead Caddys but I want one.

 

That's just about as pretty as a hot rod part can get!

 

Those intakes are a work of art Buddy.......................

 

They are nice pieces, aren't they?!

I think it will be plenty. I have an electric high volumn pump, pumping the water to the front, to the mechanical water pump.

A 1" ID hose will flow 16 GPM, with just gravity feed. At 20 PSI, it will flow 26 GPM, at about 12 f/s. Should be enough!

 

Well, the end is finally in sight! We've had plenty of excuses on why we've been delayed, but no more!

I'm at work, and Pinkees is finishing the pedal/clutch setup, throttle setup, and fuel shutoff. Dale is doing the dyno headers, looking for the 'lost' rear end yoke, and designing blower restraint hold downs.

When I get home,I'm pulling the engine and heading to Chico, to see John Beck. After the dyno. I'm headed to pops29's shop, to adjust the adapter/bellhousing, for a proper tranny shaft alignment, then home to reinstall the engine/tranny.

I need to get the driveshaft length corrected, for this new combo, and the water and oil all plumbed in.

The following days off, I'll get all the electrical wired, do the SCTA inspection, so that I'm ready for El Mirage, load the car, and head west!

No excuses this time!

 

Don't forget to breathe now and then.

 

Woo Hoo I'm excited to see the Dyno numbers...Good Luck.

 

Definitely!

 

May the Gods be with you in all aspects of your efforts.

 

Thanks guys!

Collin still has one 4-71 intake, and one tri-power setup available, if anyone needs/wants one!

They are very nice, and super cool!

 

When you gonna be in Chico??????????

 

Nice!

 

Carl, Dale and I should be at John's shop on the 10th, setting up, with dyno runs on the 11th and 12th.

Tim, that is nice, huh?

Hey Tim, can you lighten my crankshaft, and re-balance everything? The damn thing weighs 90lbs. I wanted a lighter version, but somehow ended up with this. When I tear it down for the roller cam, I'd like to 'tweak' a few things, like the crank weight, bearing clearances,possibly the head chambers, after I flow the block and heads-all work for this fall.We had a few different opinion on things, and tried some stuff. After we run it, I want to try it the way I had imagined it.

 

Hey Gang: Working away on the new dyno headers - ground the flanges to fit the pipes today, cut U-bends into sections and planned my attack! Will complete them by the end of this next week - them ship them to Buddy.

Also, cleaned the hell out of the shop, cleaned the mill and lathe, adjusted everything, oiled everything, put a ton of crap away and got ready for the flatcad header work and other fun.

Kind of a spring rebirth kind of thing - just digging out parts (kind of like old friends), getting my magneto stuff organized (going to be making some special old-school magneto setups for early Hemis, and angle-drive flathead mags, etc.).

I love magnetos - don't know why, but always have. Maybe because I was so fascinated with my first Harman Collins mag - Joe Hunt rebuilt it for me and it ran so well . . . loved them ever since. I really couldn't afford a new one ever - so I've always been screwing around with them, rebuilding bases, etc..

I'm kind of a magneto "collector" - love the Vertex stuff, old Mallory, Harman Collins, etc.. I've been buying a few to retrofit to other applications. Going to be building some tach-drive mags for early Hemis (just can't find them) - using the old Scintilla/Vertex cast bases (can't stand the billet ones!), reworking Chevy drives to Hemi, etc..

The FlatCad has one of my Vertex mags - hopped up by Spud Miller. It puts out three times the amps that an original Vertex does and has rare-earth magnets (they never need to be recharged). I love the simplicity and consistency of a good magneto - especially for a race car.

Here is one of my 'pile o mags':

 

Damn Dale................ a hoarder no less................

see ya on the 11th

 

Regarding lightening the crank, I kinda cringe when thinking about removing metal. Considering that you only have three main bearings and will be running boost plus wringing the hell out of it I'm wondering if all that mass might help hold it all together. I'm sure there's a medium between losing some reciprocating weight and maintaining enough strength to keep the motor from grenading but wonder how that medium can be safely achieved. Just a thought.

 

OahuEli, look at the massive counterweights and rod throws on the crank!

I think there is plenty of opportunity to lighten the rotating mass, without weakening it-this is a big chunk of billet! Less weight means less crank 'flex', as long as the structural integrity is maintained.

Bonnevile is a drag race to the 2-1/4, so winding up a little faster won't hurt.

 

Yes, Nice!

On weight removal I would be happy to help out and re-balance afterward but the question of necessity comes up. Weight removal would be more advantagious to a drag car for "quick" reving. In a Land Speed Car the weight will be more of a "Flywheel" effect. Once you get it all moving it will still rev as high as a light weight rotating assembly, just takes a little more time. The one thing that would be of help would be to clean up the crank with a little "Knife edging". I know you are running a dry sump but the flat surfaces and holes from the current balance will cause some windage. Of course the RPM wont be that of a 3" stroke sbc.

I don't believe the removal of weight would weaken the crank if it was done in the right places, mass doesn't always translate to srength, it just needs to be in the correct place.

 

I agree with you Tim, although quicker revving won't hurt anything!

I'm more concerned about lightening the crank so maybe I can get the engine to last longer. The more weight spinning around, farthest from the crank centerline, the more the crank wants to flex. Of couse, the more it flexes, due to centrifugal force.... In my experience, generally speaking, the lighter the rotating assembly, the easier it is on the block-to a point, at least.

Besides, this was about building what I thought would be the 'perfect' Caddy flathead, therefore it should be 'multi-purpose' right?!

 

I don't know if there is a "perfect Caddy Flathead" but I'm sure what you've got is the closest.

We can talk about your crank at Elmo over a beer.

 

Weekend Update #1: Dyno Headers

Been working on one of my least favorite things - fabricating headers. My problem is that even though I don't exactly enjoy it, I still have to make them as nice as I can - just always have to do my best within whatever constraints I have to work in. Guess that is just the way I roll!

Here are a couple pictures in process - will complete them tomorrow and ship out to Becks on Monday:

Enjoy . . .







Will post the completed ones tomorrow evening . . .

B&S

 

Nice work! I think they'll compliment the engine nicely. I'm guessing you had to calculate exhaust cfm flow to get the center pipe diameter?

 

Stop crying about it and just build 'em. Speed week is like just over 100 days away.

 

I've agonized over this decision for a long time, but family and work won out in the end.

The Flatcad is for sale!

The 1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, and 1939 BMW 327 Cabrio are also for sale.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this build, and the people I've met and the friends I've made is invaluable! The build has taken a toll though, on my time with my family, and my sanity. It's time I step back, and watch this one as a spectator.

I appreciate everything the team and sponsors have done, and all of the support here on the board. I'm sure whoever buys it will continue to keep you informed of it's progress.

I'm going to tinker around the house, and build go karts and doll houses for the grand children.

I would like to find a NICE 1951 Nash Statesman, for a daily driver, so PM me if you have one.

Peace out.

 

Wow Buddy. Jeez, that's a decision that must have hurt like hell to make. I hope Flatcad finds a good home deserving of all the work that's gone into it. Sorry to see it go, but it sounds like you've done the right thing.
This project has provided a LOT of inspiration.....including giving me a little push along picking the last 4-71 intake up off Collin.
Wayne.

 

I'm sure I can't afford the dollars or the time it will take to finish the car, but I sure hope it gets finished.

 

I'm crushed, you must be much more so. I wish you good health and hope to meet you someday.

 

Buddy it happens... sorry but also understand.....

Vergil



But .... we will see what you say tomorrow....

 

Hi Buddy

I would like to say I am fully behind you in your decision and you have my support. I fully know family is FIRST always. I will call you later today.