Chris Haynes
Well-known member
Has anybody done testing on the different OHV heads that are available for Model A and B's? Miller, Riley, Ardun,or Cragar?
OHV conversions
- Thread starter Chris Haynes
- Start date
Roadster62
Well-known member
I'm sure they have, but you have to ask what they are testing for, best street or track use, oval or straight course? I'd really like to have a cast iron Riley 4port again. Bob
George Miller
Well-known member
I'm sure some one has. Maybe Ron Kelly, Bill Stipe. But you can never go wrong with a Miller
wi0v
Senior Member
I would suggest getting involved with the Secrets of Speed group. Their interest is getting more out of Model T & A engines. Lots of great information on four Cyl engines.
Their web site is:
http://www.secretsofspeed.com/
Their web site is:
http://www.secretsofspeed.com/
hardtimes
Well-known member
Chris,
I've seen dyno chart results of such tests..i.e.- comparing various OHV heads.
Google Steve Serr and his Miller/Serr version. I believe that you will find a chart that I alluded to. Steve is located close to me and I'm thinking of buying his head..roller rocker aluminum affair
. He is quite innovative/active in OHV head developement. Half dozen years or so ago I saw him at the Pomona swap meet with one of his experimental heads...an overhead CAM aluminum A/B head 
! Don't know what ever happened to that, as heard a fire destroyed some equipment.BTW- I agree with Mr. Miller here..that Miller seems to be the best OHV head (for street use especially) for your bucks. This I've been told by guys I know that have/use a number of different OHV setups.
Also believe that I've seen a Ron Kelly dyno chart of such.
Actually, I think that Ron Kelly is the guru of the dyno testing and charting of A/B equipment. I've heard that he is the ONE that they all go to for this type testing.
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Jim Brierley
Well-known member
That's a pretty open-ended question and each owner has his preferences. There's an old adage, "if you want to race get a Cragar, if you want to win get a Riley". I think the 4-port Riley is the best street and short-track head ever built. Subscribe to F.A.S.T. and get the scoop from guys that run them. www.hotforhotfours.com
jan bogert
Senior Member
if your going to spend about $4,500.00 on a overhead valve set-up and thats without everything else you need, you would be better off to go with a flathead v8 JAN. IMO
denis4x4
Well-known member
if your going to spend about $4,500.00 on a overhead valve set-up and thats without everything else you need, you would be better off to go with a flathead v8 JAN. IMO
Where's the fun in that? I could have bought 3 SBC crate motors for what I have in my B with an original CRAGAR head.
hardtimes
Well-known member
denis
Funny and TRUE ! Don't even have the 'Cragar' head and I'm in the same boat with my B. A guy I know just put his chassis/crated sbc under his modified '29 pickup...for nearly same cost of my B. My question is WHY (yeah Q is retorical) are these A/B engines so expensive! Would be interesting 'small talk' why (breakdown) each cost soo much
!
just plain bill
Senior Member
I have had a Denver MIller and a Riley 2 port. Riley 2 port is stamped 4 8 30 I also have a cast iron 4 port which I've yet to run. The 2 port ran a best of 84 MPH at the Antique Nationals. Driver said that he figured 90 MPH when he got used to shifting the short throw trans but I pulled the 2 port our to run a Winfield flathead "A" engine which ran 82 MPH. The Riley ran strong at the hillclimb but the Winfield was a little stronger. But, HA HA, now I'm shopping for a new crank. Speed costs money
Jim Brierley
Well-known member
When I first started racing B's back in the 50's, there were 3 things that I liked about them; they were cheap to buy and run; the guys running them were all friendly and open to questions and the sound of a hot B under full throttle is just gorgeous! The last 2 things still apply!
hardtimes
Well-known member
Bill,
Could you reveal the compression ratio of the Winfield that you ran the 82mph with?
just plain bill
Senior Member
8 to 1 rough estimate It is an alminum repop from Antique Auto in Rosemead. That is close the ratio on this engine
Chris Haynes
Well-known member
if your going to spend about $4,500.00 on a overhead valve set-up and thats without everything else you need, you would be better off to go with a flathead v8 JAN. IMO
Sorry, But I won't butcher my car by installing a V8 in it. An OHV is an accessory I can bolt on and return to stock with no modification to the car.
Besides that, try to find a Flathead block that isn't cracked. I went through seven blocks before I found one without serious cracks for my 1941. It had cracks too but nothing serious.
Chris Haynes
Well-known member
if your going to spend about $4,500.00 on a overhead valve set-up and thats without everything else you need, you would be better off to go with a flathead v8 JAN. IMO
I have a Charlie Yapp re pop Riley I bought for $2,800.00. Now I am impatiently waiting for the new Terry Burtz Block, crank, and rods to become available.
But I was looking for tested numbers to see if another OHV unit would be better. I like the way Jim Brierley summed it up.
hardtimes
Well-known member
Thanks Bill,
Yeah, I'm looking hard/close at that same head from Antique. If I don't locate an OHV head (given a reasonable time on the hunt) I'm leaning to that Winfield.
Hmm , wonder if anyone (you?) has tried out the new aluminum head that Yapp started making this year? I think it's called a lion head four ..IV! I think that it's only 6:1 tho and I like your choice 8:1
Bill...what lb torque do you use on you aluminum head ?
just plain bill
Senior Member
Thanks Bill,
Yeah, I'm looking hard/close at that same head from Antique. If I don't locate an OHV head (given a reasonable time on the hunt) I'm leaning to that Winfield.
Hmm , wonder if anyone (you?) has tried out the new aluminum head that Yapp started making this year? I think it's called a lion head four ..IV! I think that it's only 6:1 tho and I like your choice 8:1
Bill...what lb torque do you use on you aluminum head ?
65 lb.. and you have to use a "B" head gasket with this style head. I use the graphite made by Best Gaskets
There are some other factors that figure into that compression ratio such as oversize bore and slightly longer stroke. The same head "out of the box" was around 7 to 1. It has a "crow's foot" combustion chamber I'm going to try an original cast iron Winfield "crow's foot". Ed Winfield was supposed to have said "If you want to make power use cast iron, if you want to heat water or cook use aluminum" I'm paraphrasing but it was something like that.
I apologize for adding to the "Hi Jacking" of this thread!
I too have found my Riley 2 port very reliable It is a original cast Iron but Taylor Engine (Jay Steele) added rocker stands from C Yapp which simplified the pressurizing of the rocker arms. There was a clearance problem but a little relieving and thicker gaskets solved the problem.
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hardtimes
Well-known member
Bill,
No apologizing necessary and no hi jacking IMO, as the original question seemed to be answered (seems best as could be).
Your info very helpful (torque/head gasket) and taken in the spirit of sharing that you give! I've heard this statement priorly i.e.- cast iron vs aluminum...and have often wondered why Winfield/others express that position? So 65lbs and any stainless steel washers undere head nuts,eh ?
No apologizing necessary and no hi jacking IMO, as the original question seemed to be answered (seems best as could be).
Your info very helpful (torque/head gasket) and taken in the spirit of sharing that you give! I've heard this statement priorly i.e.- cast iron vs aluminum...and have often wondered why Winfield/others express that position? So 65lbs and any stainless steel washers undere head nuts,eh ?