tuff problem for me.

D

DEUCEMAN

Junior Member
Any and all advice welcome.. My flathead is doing something I just cant figure out. Here's the background; the engine is a 59A, I built the engine about 10 years ago and it has run great until now. It seems it goes flat at aprox 2700 rpm WITH air cleaners on and pulls like hell up to 4600 rpm (my redline) with no air cleaners or the scoops with out filters I'm running now. The Edmunds or any other air cleaners kill it. The engine is bored and stroked to 284 cu. Relieved 1/8th, Chevy 1.60 intake valves and Ford 1.50 exhaust valves, 3 angle valve job, Isky Max 1 cam, Johnson lifters, F8 oil system, Mallory duel point, 3 Stromberg '97's ( just rebuilt by a pro), Stock fuel pump and an electric Holley pump, a Purolater fuel pressure regulater set at 3 lbs, custom chrome headers ( removed and inspected, all OK). Also I have checked the distributer, plugs, points, condenser and coil. I baffled, any help much appreciated as I'd like to run air cleaners. I got a feeling it's something simple I have overlooked..THANK YOU ALL....
 
Sounds like the air cleaners are too restrictive. I have heard that the Edmunds ones do not flow very well. Also the filter material used in some of the small air cleaners was wrong kind and did not flow well. My info dates from close to the time that you built the motor.
The good news may be that your motor is pumping some air and making power, which shows up the air cleaner problem. Maybe you can find a K&N filter or element to use.
 
Flathead, thank you that's sort of what i was thinking. Also, as i said i'm running both a stock fuel pump and a hidden holly low pressure electric pump and a regulator set at 3lbs, could that be causing a problem using both functioning fuel pumps together ? Again thank all....
 
if it runs that good with out the filters off its not the fuel pumps, your getting plenty of gas, just not enough air
 
as everyone has said, just sounds like it's starving for air with aircleaners on....good luck, sounds like a heck of an engine.....and as long as the carbs aren't starving for gas, with that fuel pressure, you should be good....my 2 cents...Mike
 
I had some of the paper filters a while back,made the car bog and run poorly,even fowling my plugs. I changed to K&N and haven't had a problem since.
 
As everyone else has said, go with some good quality air filters. A quick check with paper ones is to put a leadlight inside & see how much light shines through. If they are dirty almost no light will show. I'm sure your fuel pressure is sufficient by the way it runs without filters on it. As Bubba said small air filters might look cool but they let hardly any air through.
 
I'm running K-N filters on my 4 carb setup, there's restriction on this 276, I try to keep under 4500 but I don't think there is any end o n that tack. Walt
 
With limited summer use do you think I could get away with the scoops, they do have a screen mesh to keep the big stuff out but no filters. I sure don't want to harm that engine I could not afford to replace it , like for like these days, it cost alot 10 years ago..
 
Flatattackracing has a really nice little filter for the carb scoops - I'm using them on my avatar. They should not be restrictive at all. I can't find the pic of them - it's at work I think. They are not cheap but I'm not a fan of the screens - too much could enter your engine through them IMHO.
 
DEUCEMAN said:
With limited summer use do you think I could get away with the scoops, they do have a screen mesh to keep the big stuff out but no filters. I sure don't want to harm that engine I could not afford to replace it , like for like these days, it cost alot 10 years ago..
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DEUCEMAN, the K-N air cleaner no. for the 94 and the 97 carbs is (RU-2650) it's 4in. high and 4-1/2in. dia. There about 35 bucks each but you'll never have to buy abother cleaner. You can wash them in soap and water a little spray to put on them after wash. I cain't find the tel. no. right now but just punch in K-N air cleaner. That's what I did and got them right from the hores mouth. Walt
 
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