Cold air induction on a hood bound flathead

51 MERC-CT

51 MERC-CT

Well-known member
All new vehicles use cold air induction of some sort. So after reading of the advantages ( power increase/economy ) I decided to add a system to the Merc. just for ha ha's.
This is the system and the observation of the temp. differences.
Carb. intake generally ran 45-60 deg. colder than the engine compartment.


 
51 Merc. It would be very interesting if the cooler air does make any difference. On a 90 degree day the inside of my 35 feels about as hot as the engine compartment does though. (Not actually)There isn't much insulation between them.
 
The real measure would be air temperature before/after going into the carburetor. Benefit is mostly increased HP as you would be getting in more pounds of air. More pounds of air and more lbs of gasoline (same fuel/air ratio) could then be burned in the same engine. Superchargers and turbochargers have the same benefits. I have my doubts as to whether you are likely to observe any measurable increase in economy.

The car companies are looking to get more out HP of a smaller engine that weighs less to increase fuel economy and will use the cheapest methods possible. They will spend $$ to the extent they are forced by the government or to their desired rate of return on their money spent. I say forced to by the government in that they wouldn't be building cars to will get double current fuel economy as Uncle Sam has recently requested as it is not economic. The public continues to demonstrate that $3-4 a gallon gasoline is not expensive enough to get them out of full sized pickup trucks and into tiny econoboxes.

I worked in an oil refinery as an engineer and evaluated capital projects for rate of return on capital spent. A 30% rate of return was the minimum going rate for spending money to make money. Spending money to save money had lower rate of return requirements as saving expenses is more certain than making additional money.
 
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51 Merc I like what you have done. I also added cold air to my carburetors, a little different setup but I do like cold intake air. I can datalog mine and before the scoops the intake air was almost as hot as the air coming through the radiator. After the scopos the air is 8 - 9 degrees above ambient. And yes I know mine isn't barn friendly ....

Vergil

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Just goes to show hot rodding is innovation not just your 1-800 number. Even Henry ford himself would think that was cool.;);)
 
It's all about "Volumetric Efficiency" I don't hear the term very often these days.
Nicely done! Virgil.
 
You have a lot of nerve posting photos like that on this forum, Vergil!

Now give me the keys and let me put that thing away where you won't be able to reach it and get yourself in trouble.............
 
51 Merc-Ct Please keep us up to date on your findings.
Virgil. I like what you have done. Nicely executed. Keep us informed, please.
 
Similar principal as cowl induction of the late 60's. I have read that one reason 1952 was a low production year is that on the Merc's, they were actually wanting those scoops to be functional. I am guessing they were thinking of cooling the brakes with them as well, but were working on the wrong end for that.

Not new by any means but proven to make a difference.. Long term goal is to open the scoop on my Merc and do similar.
 
Good idea Itsa52. When I said carburetors I should clarify, the carburetors have been bored out and 1 3/8" ID tubing pressed into them. I am using them as eight individual throttle bodies. Fuel injectors are mounted under the intake manifold, with the onboard computerit it lets me datalog and see what is happening. That is why I referred to it as not Barn friendly.

Vergil
 
Vergil said:
51 Merc I like what you have done. I also added cold air to my carburetors, a little different setup but I do like cold intake air. I can datalog mine and before the scoops the intake air was almost as hot as the air coming through the radiator. After the scopos the air is 8 - 9 degrees above ambient. And yes I know mine isn't barn friendly ....

Vergil
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Not barn friendly? It's a flathead and I love it.
Notice that you seem to have an ignition system using a trigger setup of some sort (crank pulley etc.)
As to my setup, I will probably not be able to record any results that can be recorded. The only thing that I notice to this point is a seat of the pants
feeling of better throttle response and power (maybe it's just my imagination)
 
Thanks 51 Merc yes it does have a crank trigger, I think these old flatheads need all the help they can get, just like myself only I need more than the flathead do. The cooler air might help just a little with the fuel perking but with todays fuel it might not.

Vergil
 
Just wondering........... Why didn't Henry cut louvers on the inner fenders on my 46. Seems like it might help cool down the engine compartment. I am going to remove the front fenders next year to paint them and replace the welt. I will give it some thought (pros and cons) and maybe have louvers cut in then. Maybe too much tire spray in rain?
Any thoughts?
Thanks
John
 
51 MERC-CT and Vergil - Love both your set-ups. I'd been considering doing something similar but now I KNOW I'm going to do something in that vein. Vergil - great looking scoops.
 
Vergil - I assume you have a serious l air filter buried in there - those scoops will scoop a lot of bugs and dirt?:confused:


Vergil said:
51 Merc I like what you have done. I also added cold air to my carburetors, a little different setup but I do like cold intake air. I can datalog mine and before the scoops the intake air was almost as hot as the air coming through the radiator. After the scopos the air is 8 - 9 degrees above ambient. And yes I know mine isn't barn friendly ....

Vergil

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Peter I have a K&N filter, yep it does collect them. The top of the stacks are threaded, after the housing is on the top venturis are screwed on to hold the housing (o-rings to seal), picts below ...

Vergil

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oh man, I was sure hoping that you guys were not running THAT kind of filter with your cold air intake. There are claims and such about the benefits, but having worked at a Ford dealer for 20 years and seeing what happens to 7.3 turbos that have those filters, I would NEVER use that oiled filter, on anything.

Just my opinion, flame suit on and ready!
 
btexpress said:
oh man, I was sure hoping that you guys were not running THAT kind of filter with your cold air intake. There are claims and such about the benefits, but having worked at a Ford dealer for 20 years and seeing what happens to 7.3 turbos that have those filters, I would NEVER use that oiled filter, on anything.

Just my opinion, flame suit on and ready!
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hahaha no problem voicing an opinion, each and everyone has one hopefully. I have heard the same thing but i figured my air demand is much less and finding an after market filter other than a K&N filter to fit would be a chore.

Vergil
 
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