Flathead - Has anyone "split" the center exhaust port?

Z

Ziggster

Well-known member
I posted this on HAMB, but so far no responses.
I was wondering if anyone has "split" the center exhaust port on a Ford flathead to give the appearance of four exhaust ports? The reason I ask is that the car I plan replicating has an air cooled V8 and runs the exhaust tubes to a large "collector" tube. Having just three exhaust tubes will likely result in most thinking I'm running a V6 which will result in lots of explaining. I also wonder if doing so would alter the exhaust note. This is still a ways off as part of my project, but I'm trying to nail down parts/cost/source.

Pic of exhaust on car I want to copy.
 

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Ziggster said:
I posted this on HAMB, but so far no responses.
I was wondering if anyone has "split" the center exhaust port on a Ford flathead to give the appearance of four exhaust ports? The reason I ask is that the car I plan replicating has an air cooled V8 and runs the exhaust tubes to a large "collector" tube. Having just three exhaust tubes will likely result in most thinking I'm running a V6 which will result in lots of explaining. I also wonder if doing so would alter the exhaust note. This is still a ways off as part of my project, but I'm trying to nail down parts/cost/source.

Pic of exhaust on car I want to copy.
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As a young kid I was charged with cleaning dads roadster when we took it anywhere. People would pour over it because it was different. Back in 1992 no one really did old style hotrods and fewer people knew what a flathead was. Many many people questioned why the car had four spark plugs and 3 exhaust ports. Skme would argue amongst themselves others would ask me. I couldn't help it and would come up with stories about how Henry Ford was a genius and installed spare cylinders so you could just swap over :D
 
jimTN said:
Is that an air cooled Chev in the pic?
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No, it's a JAP 5.0 liter air-cooled V8 (60 hp). Made in the early 1900's for airships. Only three remain, and that one is the only one running. The other two are in museums. Richard Scaldwell is the owner, and he and his daughter race it regularly. Amazing design. Total loss oil lubrication system originally (since modified for racing regulations), open cam and timing gears.
 
Ziggster said:
I posted this on HAMB, but so far no responses.
I was wondering if anyone has "split" the center exhaust port on a Ford flathead to give the appearance of four exhaust ports? The reason I ask is that the car I plan replicating has an air cooled V8 and runs the exhaust tubes to a large "collector" tube. Having just three exhaust tubes will likely result in most thinking I'm running a V6 which will result in lots of explaining. I also wonder if doing so would alter the exhaust note. This is still a ways off as part of my project, but I'm trying to nail down parts/cost/source.

Pic of exhaust on car I want to copy.
Click to expand...
Obviously being done just for the 'look' of 4 exhaust pipes.
An 'ARDUN' conversion would give you 4 pipes and make a lot more sense.
 
34PKUP said:
Obviously being done just for the 'look' of 4 exhaust pipes.
An 'ARDUN' conversion would give you 4 pipes and make a lot more sense.
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Sure, but my budget won't allow for that. I'm sticking with stk heads, intake, carb. Going for an ISKY 1007B cam, and a T5, but other than that, most of the car will be "period" correct, perhaps even with mechanical brakes. If 60 Hp is good for Richard, 100 Hp will be just fine for me.
 
Run the exhaust out the top like a Cadillac V8. That's been done a time or too but it looks like crap for the street. There were other OHV heads besides the Ardun stuff but they are not easy to source.
 
Why are you using a flathead if the car you want to replicate has an OHV engine?

Use a Y-Block if that's the general look you're after. It has an exhaust port spacing similar to the engine shown.
 
Make a log manifold that bolts directly to the block and take four pipes out of that. You could make the log portion a bit bigger than my drawing so it would hide the middle port.
 

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You could just do like Ralph Malf’s hot rod on Happy Days. Put a set of Chevy pipes over the top of the flat head ones!
 

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I don’t think any of them are being used, it looks like there are brackets bolted on the head holding them, and these just sit right on top of the existing flat head headers.
 
RalphM said:
I don’t think any of them are being used, it looks like there are brackets bolted on the head holding them, and these just sit right on top of the existing flat head headers.
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Correct. If you look just behind it, you can see a header attached the exhaust ports. It's just for drive-in looks on the show.

Honestly, the car was a true P.O.S. that was slapped together for the show.
 
RalphM said:
I don’t think any of them are being used, it looks like there are brackets bolted on the head holding them, and these just sit right on top of the existing flat head headers.
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Agree that the unit is bolted to the head but this would be the way to go if a functioning unit is desired. Would just take some fabrication and eliminate having to Siamese the center tubes. And would probably still sound like a flathead.
 
51 MERC-CT said:
Maybe once you have your make-believe 4 port exhaust installed you could add a 4 carb. setup. :)

picture.php
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Yikes.

RalphM said:
You could just do like Ralph Malf’s hot rod on Happy Days. Put a set of Chevy pipes over the top of the flat head ones!
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Interesting. Good to know I wasn't the first to ask the question.

51 MERC-CT said:
Yep, #1-#2-#3 are connected, #4 is a dummy.
390633
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Had me fooled.

Cool Hand Lurker said:
Make a log manifold that bolts directly to the block and take four pipes out of that. You could make the log portion a bit bigger than my drawing so it would hide the middle port.
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Thanks. Never thought of that. A lot more work but might work.
 
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