thank yee good sir !!
attention all flathead rocket scientists
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
attention all flathead rocket scientists
i need a couple of questions answered here guy's and gal's . i want, over the winter to play around and build a hot li' flatty to put in the 53 , but i need to know the differences twixt the 40 , 41 and the late 8ba in bessie .is the late block better ? i think the water outlets in the heads of the early blocks are in the center { dont know for sure as i don't have the heads } is it a problem to relocate it when using the late heads, a.k.a will all the passages line up . also will the front cover andpumps etc. including the dizzy swap over . as near as i can tell looking it appears so but i'd rather have some input from you . one last thing is 9:01 compression to much or stay lower ? it's gonna be a stroker somewhere in the area of 286 or so i beleive . any and all suggestions , ideas and info will be devoured readily !
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 890
Likes: 0
From: New York
I can answer a couple of those questions ...
The heads will swap over between the 8BA and the 59AB (early type). As I understand it, 9.0:1 compression on a flathead is quite high, and somewhere around 7:1 is usually pretty good.
The heads will swap over between the 8BA and the 59AB (early type). As I understand it, 9.0:1 compression on a flathead is quite high, and somewhere around 7:1 is usually pretty good.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
You can swap heads, but you need to plug a water passage.
You can change out the front cover and use a later distributer, but you need to change the front cam gear.
You will need to change water pumps to clear fron timing cover (With Change above)
A 286 with a L-100 Cam, will run real nice at 8.5 Comp Ratio.
(Now Ross and Tim will chime in.
)
You can change out the front cover and use a later distributer, but you need to change the front cam gear.
You will need to change water pumps to clear fron timing cover (With Change above)
A 286 with a L-100 Cam, will run real nice at 8.5 Comp Ratio.
(Now Ross and Tim will chime in.
)
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 553
From: Kalispell, MT
I'm not sure exactly what you're asking about doing...but that's me.
The late series flatheads are better than earlier. They cool better, have less casting sand left behind, etc.
The 53 uses a center front mount with ears on the bell housing for the back mounts, correct? I THINK all this stuff will bolt to a 40/41 block. The other necessary adaptations are already mentioned above.
Make sure you start with a fresh engine if you bump the compression. I'm running EAB high comp heads on a 255 merc that's worn out and I estimate cr to be about 8.3 It smokes like a house afire when I take off from blowby and my oil consumption went thru the roof. Most of my extra compression is lost out the oil breather
The late series flatheads are better than earlier. They cool better, have less casting sand left behind, etc.
The 53 uses a center front mount with ears on the bell housing for the back mounts, correct? I THINK all this stuff will bolt to a 40/41 block. The other necessary adaptations are already mentioned above.
Make sure you start with a fresh engine if you bump the compression. I'm running EAB high comp heads on a 255 merc that's worn out and I estimate cr to be about 8.3 It smokes like a house afire when I take off from blowby and my oil consumption went thru the roof. Most of my extra compression is lost out the oil breather
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Originally Posted by mtflat
...The 53 uses a center front mount with ears on the bell housing for the back mounts, correct? I THINK all this stuff will bolt to a 40/41 block. The other necessary adaptations are already mentioned above.
9:1 compression is not for the street, IMO. No huge advantage either. Breathing mods (cam, bigger carb, and porting) would do you more good. Like Tim says, other than aftermarket heads, EAB ('52-53) are the hot ticket, so stay with them if that's what you have.
Tim, sorry to hear about your engine!
Glad to see someone else staying Flat!!!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 553
From: Kalispell, MT
Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
Tim, sorry to hear about your engine!
Not to worry - it keeps people from getting too close. And only once in a while do I have to wave off the firetrucks. But the best part is I have absolutely no trouble with mosquitos!!
She still runs strong, but I've put about 80,000 on the engine and it was used from a grain truck in Kansas when I got it. No shame in being worn a bit. I just need to get off my butt and haul one of my other blocks to the machine shop......
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
ok thats one of the big things i needed to know the later block is better . so i geuss the first pportion of cash is to find a beater . thanx once again as i would've been p.o.'d at myself for spending money on the wr ong one .
ong one .