Featured Technical ***Janudreary 2025 Banger Meet Thread - Another trip around the sun ***

"Would you guys know anything about the history of the heads when they were coming out of there? Thank you!!"

You might check with with Steve Becker at Bert's Model A in Englewood CO. I think he was selling them back when. His number is 800-321-1931 closed on Mondays.

 

Dan Price also makes a "Miller" OHV head
I had a boss that bought a Denver Miller head back in the day and had it installed on an A engine. This would have been 1982, '83. I always lusted after it. They were manufactured in Denver, by the Van Steenburgh Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
I eventually obtained some Miller OHV conversions have a 'Denver' Miller on a B engine, currently in a '29 A Roadster....it runs real respectful.

 

Any idea what I should be using for head studs/washers with a aluminum head? Going to install my Thomas head and want to get hardware sorted out first. In the past someone told me the "ignition cable" stud was longer than the rest and could be used in all the holes aside from the water neck mount. Ive been looking at McMasterCarr "mil-spec" washers to use under the nuts. https://www.mcmaster.com/products/w...~certification~mil-spec/?s=mil.+spec.+washers

 

Had some left over 1 1/2 bends I booger welded up into a header collecting in a piece of 3". All this as preparation for the downdraft intake and 81 carb. Not sure about the performance because the runners are pretty short but I'm happy with the shape cutting the saddles to nicely transition into the "log" was pretty difficult. If I build another I'm going to buy a nice thick flange from Yapp or Dan Price. Lots of issues with my holesaw wandering and making my holes oversized which really made for some ugly welds having to fill a gap.

 

ARP...look at their studs, washers and nuts. You may have to make a call

 

I'm pretty sure Jim Brierley sells a complete set. You definitely want to use ARP washers to prevent galling and to provide even torque.
Warren

 

Pioneer PF-497. Generic steel hardened head bolt washer. Summit has them.

Seeems the number has changed, but.......

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pio-s-1018?rrec=true

 

Recently discovered this. Nichols Converted Wills-St. Clair OHC Case on top of a cragar head. Can someone explain this?!

 

Here are the components of what would make up an ARP head stud kit.
Warren

ARP for Model A

5.75 x 7/16 AP5.750-1LB 2

3.5 x 7/16 AP3.50-1LB 12

Washers 200-8511 14

Nuts 200-8605 14

Lube 100-9909 1

 

Reason, I have that engine. It was used in the Merrymen car club (Long Beach) dragster. When I got it the Cragar head was not salvageable, it also came with a McDowell. The cam case and drive are Nichols, there are no Wills St. Claire parts in it. Here are some pics with the McDowell head.

 

holy cow, that is wicked cool! How many were made?

 

I'm doing research on the Miller-Schofield-Cragar lineage, and am at a bit of a roadblock. I'm familiar with the Cragar intakes and Side covers sold by Bell Auto Parts, but what is the history on Miller Engine Works Monrovia Ca?

Were there ever any Miller-Schofield branded side covers or intake manifolds?

 

Good info, Thanks Warren
just as a side note, ARP cannot sell directly other than list price.
the good news is Summit, Jegs and others can discount.

J

 

Meyer carburetor. Haven't seen another.

 

Another finding, has anyone heard of a Chittum SOHC conversion on a Cragar head?

 

Can't help here but recall someone has started on an OHC conversion for the Cragar heads in later times, pretty sure there was a discussion in HAMB land in the last 20 years....

A cool setup!

 

Got my burtz in my 1930 town sedan fired up for the first time today, it sounds good, hopefully be driving it in the next couple of days

It's got a lionspeed 3 7:1 compression head, burtz cam, repro burns intake with a big 94 from a 55 yblock, fsi distributor, home made header, was uncorked in the video

 

Using a Dan Price Thomas head I have concerns with squish. I don't have any piston interference with the head mocking up with a used gasket. But the flat type combustion chamber has me concerned. My instinct is the triangular relief above the piston is designed to take the pressure and I shouldn't be worried.
Going to get some modeling clay or foil balls to figure exactly what numbers I'm working with.
Using a graphite "best gasket"
Assuming .010 growth for heat?

 

Typically squish or piston to head clearance is .040 - .060 in.
The gasket should provide that amount of clearance if the pistons do not protrude above the deck at TDC.
If the pistons do protrude, many options, have flycut a pocket over piston in head, deck off the tops of the pistons etc.
Do NOT attempt to use two head gaskets, yes, it has been done before but will cause problems in future.

Just MHO, J

 

Good to know, my pistons do not protrude higher than the deck.

 

My Burtz engine saw duty in the Coupe for a year before being stolen to go in the roadster, leaving the Coupe completely in the way and engineless.

I decided to solve the problem over Christmas as I was home alone. The troublesome yellow engine was languishing in the workshop since it picked up on a rod bearing so I spent some. late afternoons on it making sure there was no detritus hanging about in the galleries, whilst Craig at RKE polished the journals and modified the crank to improve the oiling. I took the opportunity to sort the mud grooves out in the white metal which had been cut in a way that only allowed intermittent flow to the rods. Possibly the reason for my squealing bearing problems in the first place. Tried some graphite rope in the rear main seal too - let's see how it seals up this time!

I'd borrowed a few ancillaries so a Saab oil filler and a Pop distributor I'd had laying around was, errr, popped into place and once I'd had the initial 'plug leads 180° out backfire', the engine fired up sweet enough on year old fuel. And managed to finally take the Coupe out for a little drive in the fine weather we've been having this weekend...





Just under 20psi warm from a 100E oil pump at tickover I'm happy with.

 

@hotrodfil
Sounds great, good throttle response too!

 

@hotrodfil sounds great, well done!

 

Link to February 2025 Banger Meet