Exhaust headers

[Pete]

Neat. How did you get 10:1? Lots of lift, lots of duration I assume. Running RPM? Really curious if you used babbitt or inserts. I assume full pressure. Thanks

I used a Dan Price head and welded up the combustion chamber as per his instructions, then machined it to look approximately like an Edelbrock V8 flathead chamber...Cam duration was 300 at running cl...Rpm was 6400 normally...Insert bearings with 90 lb full pressure..
Here is some of the details..This was part of the ad when I sold it..

"Model B flathead Engine:
Dan Price finned aluminum head. 10.4 to 1 compression.
BB crank (full pressure), R.E.M steel "H" beam rods, Ross forged
pistons, titanium valves and retainers(1.65 dia), bronze guides.
Block has 4 intake ports.
Radius lifter 5 bearing cam with .488 lift and bored camline with inserts,
Dan Price oil pump, Dan Price aluminum pan.
Roto-Faze distributor, Jacobs computer ignition, D&L finned side plate,
Hi-flow intake manifold, 2 modified Stromberg 48 carbs,
equal length headers with lakes plug, 18 lb. big block Chev. front damper,
D&L water pump with modern ceramic/carbon seal for street. (looks stock)
Electric water pump in race car.
Water manifold for equal water distribution.
Everything from the block back is set up to take a Chev. transmission
(T5,or Richmond 5 speed) but could use any transmission with
adaptor....Could also be put back to original model A or B. The back of the block
has not been modified.
11 lb alum. flywheel with alum. clutch.
168 hp on the dyno.
This engine is very streetable. Lopey idle at 800 rpm.
Gear drive starter (Chev).
Included is the top part of the 600 cfm Holley 4 barrel manifold that was on the engine when it
was on the dyno and in the race car.
Also included, intake manifold for 4 side draft carbs or injectors."

 

[Larry Brumfield]

Pete, tell us what temperature your engine operates at high speed and your thoughts on the small hose you rigged in place of the standard water neck and hose. Also, what octane fuel do you use. Thanks.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

On the comparison with flathead V8 up above...VERY different. A-B have considerably longer distance from valves to cylinder, vertical valve orientation, individual exhaust ports. About as different as two L-heads could be.

 

[hardtimes]

I have a new high performance engine in my almost finished S/W. Bored .60 over, B cam, enlarged (.073) intake valves, porting in the intake valve area, inserts and some other goodies. Currently, I have a stock Zenith and intake and Stock exhaust manifold on it. My plans are to replace the Zenith with the Weber carb and Weber intake manifold and replace the Exhaust with Headers.

My question to you fellers - What are the advantages and disadvantages to the Tube Headers vs the Cast Iron Header that are available? Your input is appreciated. Ken

Ken,
Oooh, sounds like you've done some improvements! I can send you a pic of my header/intake/carbs setup..AND RESULTS, if you send me your email. I can not figure this site pic post out and the 'boss' has not had time to assist!
Anyway, I've pretty much done what you've done. I'll detail more, if you like, in email. But, the jist of this answer regarding the 'header' information, is worth your email time. BTW..did you start with A or B block? felosky@sbcglobal.net

 

[Pete]

Pete, tell us what temperature your engine operates at high speed and your thoughts on the small hose you rigged in place of the standard water neck and hose. Also, what octane fuel do you use. Thanks.

The engine ran at 180 on the street with 92 gas and 21 degrees total advance.
When it was in the race car it ran around 210...I ran av gas and 32 total advance.
The race car had a different radiator and I ran NO thermostat.
When the engine was in the 2 door and I was hill climbing, I ran av gas and 32 advance.
In the race car I used an electric water pump mounted where the stock generator would have been. It also had a 650 Holley carb.

 

[Pete]

On the comparison with flathead V8 up above...VERY different. A-B have considerably longer distance from valves to cylinder, vertical valve orientation, individual exhaust ports. About as different as two L-heads could be.

It was not EXACTLY the same, just similar...Dan recommended the idea at the time..He had not tried it though but it sure worked...
Dan's the Man with 4 bangers.

 

[hardtimes]

Old182, on a 900 hp sprint car engine you probably could not tell the difference with or without reversion dams. It does help slightly on A/B's and flat V8's.

PC/SR, I am not familiar with Yapp's stuff....I think he is a dipshit.

On the engine in the pic, it had 4 intake ports with straight runners.
No equalizer...Standard 2 carb throttle linkage..Stromberg 48 carbs with bored oversize venturi's..Radius lifter cam with .488 lift.
10 to 1 compression ratio. Made over 160 hp on av gas.

Pete,
I've just bet five bucks with this guy ...that you are a F.A.S.T member! Did I lose my five? Sounds like you may not familiar with his stuff...but that you know him(grin)!! Rick

 

[Pete]

Pete,
I've just bet five bucks with this guy ...that you are a F.A.S.T member! Did I lose my five? Sounds like you may not familiar with his stuff...but that you know him(grin)!! Rick

I am a VERY ardent enthusiast of FAST but sad to say that I have been
remiss in renewing my dues lately due to work load...This should be remedied shortly though.
And yes I know of him from way back.

 

[Purdy Swoft]

Since the exhaust runs through the block and not the head it does not matter if it's a tubular header [frit coated and heat wrapped] or a cast iron header until you decide to hog out the exhaust area in the block. At that point it would be important to 'blueprint' the racing block in these ares. Frank Odde's book on the Flathead V-8 details the whole complete argument of making flathead, 'A's or V-8's breath.

skip.

Modifications to the intake ports will help. Hogging out the exhaust ports on a model A engine will hurt performance. smoothing up the rough cast iron is all that is needed or nothing at all.

 

[Pete]

"Hogging out the exhaust ports on a model A engine will hurt performance."

Only if you go into the water.

 

[Banger]

I had this header made by Matt at lakeheader.com. Very happy with the quality and workmanship. Matt made this custom for me and is now making them for others off my design (old design, my measurements). Within 10 minutes of unboxing, it was bolted up and good to go.

 

[Purdy Swoft]

"Hogging out the exhaust ports on a model A engine will hurt performance."

Only if you go into the water.

What about low end torque?

 

[kenparker]

Thanks for all the input, guys. The technical stuff was/s just what i needed. Here goes with a set of tube headers from Red's Headers.

BTW Her muffler, an old stock (not Aries) has been ripped open , gutted of baffles, then sewed back up, then the tailpipe was increased in dia by 1/8". She makes an awsome sound - deep and throatty.