Looking for patterns and core boxes for early banger ohv conversions

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BangerGuy28

Junior Member
Hello!

I am hoping some of the early Ford gurus out there can help me find something that is essentially unobtainium. I am a student studying automotive restoration at McPherson College in Kansas, and I am currently taking a casting and foundry class, in which I am learning the basics of casting, pattern and core making, as well as 3D printing, CNC, and machining. My goal for my class project is to remanufacture some sort of Model A OHV, such as a Miller, Cragar, Roof, Rutherford, Riley 2 or 4-port, or any other OHV conversion, excluding OHC.

I am not doing this to profit in any way; I want to learn. If anyone has leads on cores and patterns, I would only need to borrow or rent them so I can complete a 3D scan that I can 3D print as a one-time use deal. I am happy to sign a non-compete or anything else saying I won't do this to profit or screw anyone. I am asking a lot here; the odds of these pieces still existing after all this time are astronomically low, and I know most of the guys who do re-man OHVs aren't willing to share their secrets, understandable.

I have also posted this in the questions forum.

Thank you all for reading.
BangerGuy28
 
Check with the Speedway Museum to see if they have anything.
https://www.museumofamericanspeed.org/modelab.html
Just about all the early patterns went through many hands and most have changed over time. Maybe you could take an original head and reverse engineer it. Then create a 3D printed sand mold to cast. The Cook was a good head that isn't being reproduced. Consider using cast iron rather than aluminum. Some of the early heads were the same whether OHV or OHC.
Dig through the old Secrets of Speed Society magazines for info and history on the old heads.
Maybe you could team up with Speedway and their manufacturing ability. There is nothing that says your school project can't become a viable product.
 
You perhaps know this but Secrets of Speed offers a "4 issue" special. $14.95 buys you four past issues of their selection - a "sampling."

It is a "one off" offer - do it once and your next single issue costs $14.95. And once you subscribe to the magazine, offer is suspended.

Charlie also is VERY likely to be $upportive of your project.

Joe K
 
Could you do a hybrid project? That is, design a head that bolts to a standard Model A or B block (bolt pattern, lifter location, water pump, etc. all in stock locations) and uses modern port shapes and sizes, valves, rocker arms and attaching hardware?
 
I realize what you're asking is something for us school project I think you should look at the long-term future of what was already suggested in creating a head with modern ports utilizing some modern Rocker arms possibly even to make it more budget friendly you may stumble into a new career!!!
 
40 Deluxe said:
Could you do a hybrid project? That is, design a head that bolts to a standard Model A or B block (bolt pattern, lifter location, water pump, etc. all in stock locations) and uses modern port shapes and sizes, valves, rocker arms and attaching hardware?
Click to expand...
All I'll say is that is already in the works. 8 port cross flow ALL new design. In the dyno testing stage now.
 

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ModelA29 said:
Why not? Different header to clear steering is all it should take.
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Have you ever seen under the bonnet (hood) of a RHD Model A? That engine has an oil filter right in the way of any reconfigured exhaust system. I can't see how it could be viably done. It would be so convoluted that there would be no gain and the RHS of the engine would be a no go area. The light switch would be fried in no time.
 
Synchro909 said:
Have you ever seen under the bonnet (hood) of a RHD Model A? That engine has an oil filter right in the way of any reconfigured exhaust system. I can't see how it could be viably done. It would be so convoluted that there would be no gain and the RHS of the engine would be a no go area. The light switch would be fried in no time.
Click to expand...
Just run it with an internal oil pump. Sorry I'm in SoCal we've been solving car problems since the 1890s.......


https://www.sbsun.com/2024/04/08/how-southern-californias-car-culture-got-its-start/
 

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Hi Jim, Hunter powell here. I contacted Charlie but he didnt seem like he would be willing to let me reproduce any of his heads. I will call him up again.
 
Would you be willing to share some of your info? Im happy to sign any non competes or whatever it takes. I have been in talks with speedway but theyre so hard to get ahold of...
 
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