Ardun Engine

Few likely will know that the original idea was to appeal to the truck market where the heads' virtues would be attractive. The set that I had came off a truck in Argentina and were among the early ones made in England.
 
Pete said:
That must be Rick's grocery getter. Wet sump with carbs.
His race car engine is supposed to be making over 800hp and it is a FLATHEAD.
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Actually Pete Ricks flathead which he ran in his dragster made over 900 horse power. His flathead used a two port Hilborn Injection on top of a 471 GMC blower and burned Nitro Methane. I'm happy to say I had the pleasure of seeing his dragster run at Englishtown a very long time ago running under 8 seconds in the quarter at close to 180 MPH. Rick was one of the guys who I reached out to when I decided to pursue racing a flathead a great guy for sure.

Heres a video of the dragster making a pretty fast run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YHs0CG8MA8


Ronnieroadster
 
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Ronnieroadster said:
Actually Pete Ricks flathead which he ran in his dragster made over 900 horse power. His flathead used a two port Hilborn Injection on top of a 471 GMC blower and burned Nitro Methane. I'm happy to say I had the pleasure of seeing his dragster run at Englishtown a very long time ago running under 8 seconds in the quarter at close to 180 MPH. Rick was one of the guys who I reached out to when I decided to pursue racing a flathead a great guy for sure.

Heres a video of the dragster making a pretty fast run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YHs0CG8MA8


Ronnieroadster
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And that engine is still leaving some power on the table.
 
DavidG said:
Few likely will know that the original idea was to appeal to the truck market where the heads' virtues would be attractive. The set that I had came off a truck in Argentina and were among the early ones made in England.
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David the original intent was for Zora to have his own race engine. A 1951 press release in the New York Times reporting about the Ardun conversion for truck applications and by that period in time a few sets were being used on trucks. However the attached add dated 1947 shows the original purpose for the conversion nothing is show for a truck conversion in the beginning.


Heres prices from Ardun literature I have in my collection dated August 24 1950 for the Ardun engines and conversion.
Part #1200 Ardun V8 175 OHV engine $819.00
Part#1300 Ardun V8 220 OHV engine $1238.00
Part# 1000 Ardun V-8 Conversion unit $ 495.00

Ronnieroadster
 

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Ronnieroadster said:
David the original intent was for Zora to have his own race engine. A 1951 press release in the New York Times reporting about the Ardun conversion for truck applications and by that period in time a few sets were being used on trucks. However the attached add dated 1947 shows the original purpose for the conversion nothing is show for a truck conversion in the beginning.


Heres prices from Ardun literature I have in my collection dated August 24 1950 for the Ardun engines and conversion.
Part #1200 Ardun V8 175 OHV engine $819.00
Part#1300 Ardun V8 220 OHV engine $1238.00
Part# 1000 Ardun V-8 Conversion unit $ 495.00

Ronnieroadster
Click to expand...


Hi Ronnie,

Thanks for posting this. Curious what was added to the conversion to go from 175 to 220 hp. $400 extra dollars was nothing to sneeze at in '50. I love this stuff and would really like to know what the different "stages" got you.
 
Tim Ayers said:
Hi Ronnie,

Thanks for posting this. Curious what was added to the conversion to go from 175 to 220 hp. $400 extra dollars was nothing to sneeze at in '50. I love this stuff and would really like to know what the different "stages" got you.
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Hi Tim to answer your question to get the additional 45 HP there's another section on the price list. Titled Available on Application here's a few options offered
Part #1104/4 High dome racing piston with Compression ratios from 11.60 to
13.40 no price listed.
Also Racing Camshaft no part number or price.
And Special Racing Intake Manifold no part number or price.

For my development to gain additional power in the modern era ignition was a big help along with reducing the original tunnel fire ignition chamber. Next Roller lifters and Roller rockers as well as steel billet camshafts with aggressive profiles. And the final important detail the five main bearing crankshaft to put the big power increase to the flywheel. All of this taking place over a 30 year period.
Ronnieroadster
 
Ronnieroadster said:
Hi Tim to answer your question to get the additional 45 HP there's another section on the price list. Titled Available on Application here's a few options offered
Part #1104/4 High dome racing piston with Compression ratios from 11.60 to
13.40 no price listed.
Also Racing Camshaft no part number or price.
And Special Racing Intake Manifold no part number or price.

For my development to gain additional power in the modern era ignition was a big help along with reducing the original tunnel fire ignition chamber. Next Roller lifters and Roller rockers as well as steel billet camshafts with aggressive profiles. And the final important detail the five main bearing crankshaft to put the big power increase to the flywheel. All of this taking place over a 30 year period.
Ronnieroadster
Click to expand...

Ronnie,

Well, having seen (and heard- LOL) some of your work on your race motors and having one of your engines in my roadster, there is no doubt you are on the right track and your experience is certainly put into practice.

I can't imagine what it feels like in one of your race cars since my little motor feels and pulls like a SBC!

Last weekend I fired it up in the driveway and this older gentleman comes running over. He goes, "I knew that was an old hot rod by the sound of it." He was surprised it was a flathead.

The straight pipes help, but the motor does certainly sound angry when it fires it up.
 
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