Xea737373 Posted January 25, 2009 Report Posted January 25, 2009 My name is Scott, and I am new to this forum. Pete (Blueskies) invited me over from the Inliners International board. I'm finding a huge amount of information on the Flattie 230 I have and absolutly the BEST info on the overdrive that I have been blessed with. These goodies are in a slightly more moden platform as I am the very proud owner of a 1958 Plymouth 6 seat Suburban. After getting my new toy home (her name is Eileen due to improperly adjusted torsion bars), I discovered a cracked head. After tearing down the engine to freshen things up, Magnaflux found some cracks though a couple intake valve seats. As the engine had spit out an exhaust seat, I had no clue where to turn. I had found the Forward Look website and one nice guy there told me of Vintage Power Wagons. Well, that turned out extremly cool and a great blessing, as I live within 100 miles of them. With their help, a different later model 230 was aquired. I've been cleaning this new motor up, and have located a 2 carb header arrangment to put on my beauty. I have also scored some fancy side covers. I'd really like to find an aluminum head for this rascal, and am looking for a lopey cam recomendation. Blueskies website has been really helpfull as far things go, but I'm looking for another possible source for an Aluminum head. Anyone have any recomendations? Is Earl Edgerton the ony one making these today? Anyone have one (new or used) they are willing to sell? I've spoken with George Ashe and he tells me .100 can be shaved from the head and still keep things alive. Does anyone have experiance with this? If I can't find an Aluminum head, I will shave mine. However, before I go whacking off that much, I'd like to see what others have tried and experianced. I've studied Don Coatneys photos on the web and am setting up a one wire alternator to give me a little more peice of mind. As the result of my changes, I have a few extra parts that I am willing to SWAP, not sell. I have a good fuctional generator along with stock manifolds. Also I have a crankshaft in excellent shape (standard I belive), a decent set of rods, ect....... I will be happy to figure out a mutually satifactory arrangemet with these items. If anyone is interested, Photos fro My project can be fund at: http://s366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/xxeaa/?start=20 Quote
dezeldoc Posted January 25, 2009 Report Posted January 25, 2009 Welcome aboard!! Looks like you got a pretty good start on it. Can't help with the aluminum head, but I have seen a few on ebay and they have fetched some good coin! I like your intake/exhaust manifold nice twist. Quote
PatS.... Posted January 25, 2009 Report Posted January 25, 2009 Welcome to the best forum on the web. I like the intake/exhaust manifold. Is it homemade? Quote
blueskies Posted January 25, 2009 Report Posted January 25, 2009 Glad you made an intro Scott, welcome to the best site on the net for MoPar flathead six engines... As far as I know, Edgerton is the only one with current production aluminum heads. They are expensive, but in the long run, I think it is relative. By the time you find a vintage head, have it milled flat, fix the stripped plug threads, fix broken fins, etc, I think you will probably have nearly as much invested. And lots of hassle to boot. The EDGY head is a bolt on deal, and has 9:1 compression on the 230. That said, milling your stock head will probably give you the same performance at a fraction of the cost, but won't have the "look". So, in my mind, it is a matter of where and what you want to spend your money on. I noticed a few pictures of the salt flats in your project album, are you going to be at Speed Week this year? In the Wagon? I'm planning to be there, it would be fun to see you on the salt. Pete Quote
Xea737373 Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks for showing the way. How much can I safely mill from th head? .075? .100? .125? PatS, the manifold is made by a fella named Moose up in Mass. He builds these one by one. Here is a link to his site. http://www.manifoldsbymoose.com As far as Bonniville goes, my first trip was in 1992. When I lived in California, I was a very active dry lakes racer. My personal best on 2 wheels is 173.45 MPH. Recently I have been an active participant in the Bub Motorcycle Speed Trials. That 23 ft long "nuclear bananna" thats shown here is the current AMA record holder in the 1350CC/streamliner class. She went 183.25 MPH....... Doesn't sound that fast, but it was done with a 79 Cubic Inch engine. I had a hand in putting the engine together and have taken care of the data aquisition as a crew member the last few years. I would love to meet you, but we never get to Speed Week. I'm the fat guy with the Kool hat..... Quote
greg g Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 A fellow with a lot of flathead experience suggests that .100 is doable but over .090 requires stepping up in octane. Conventional wisdom is to take a bit off the block, and then the difference off the head. Also the ford deal of relieving isn't necessary. Why make extra space when you just increased the squeeze. Some have suggested that a little work on the ramp from the valve area to the combustion chamber is a good thing, and there have been some other posts regarding grinding a v groove into the head delineating the exhaust and intake sides. Some discussion regarding that on the HAMB. Looks like Mooses welds are gettig more better. Quote
Normspeed Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 That's a great looking motor. I'm guessing the 58 has more clearance to the side than the pre-torsion bar models for your exhaust downpipes.. I like the paint treatment on the valve covers. Are you looking for a performance cam or just a lopey idle? Mine has a great idle, who knows what it really contributes overall. Mine was reground by a local shop in SoCal. I can dig up the grind and the company info if you want a loper:D Quote
Xea737373 Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Posted January 26, 2009 Yes, please look that up. Anything I can learn about making her run a bit better. Nice lope, good power hopfully go hand in hand. Quote
Normspeed Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 Well, I'm real happy with my 218 but like I tell folks, she sounds faster than she is. Last year at the Antique Nationals in Pomona I tried to shatter the elusive 20 second quarter mile but alas I was soundly trounced by a Hudson. Here's my cam specs. The speed shop that rebuilt my block farmed out the cam work to this shop. When we discussed the build plans, they asked what I wanted for a cam grind. I said make it lope. They did. Quote
Xea737373 Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Posted January 26, 2009 Did they regrind yours or could they provide a new cam? How long ago was this done? :D Quote
Normspeed Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 As far as I know they just reground my cam. I had them assemble the block, crank, pistons, head, valve train for me. Line honed, balanced, .020 over on the pistons, decked .010. 6-2-1, 2-1/4"exhaust with a Flowmaster. I've got 'er all rigged up with secret snake oil and baling wire too. I had the work done in late 2005. The motor must still be breaking in, because it just keeps running better and better. 12,000 miles since the rebuild. Photo illustrates why I like my overdrive. Was towing a small trailer at the time... Oh another thing, the rebuild invoice notes cam 390J under parts. Quote
Don Coatney Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 I sent my cam to Earl Edgerton for a new profile. It is now 260 degrees duration @ .410" lift for both intake and exhaust. Runs great with a very slight lope at low idle. Cost was around one fifty including freight about 6 years ago. I like the streamliner you pictured. I raced a BSA Rocket 3 on the salt in 1969. I met Burt Monro live and in person. Quote
james curl Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 The machine shop took .010 off of the block and .090 off of the head. I am using chevy 235 stainless steel exhaust valves and they have a different head shape than the original valves and I had to thighten the radius in the head for valve clearance with a grinder. I had EGGE regrind my cam, they did not send me the specs but I run 70 - 75 on the highway with 3.55:1 rearend without overdrive and drove to Bonneville in 2007 and met Pete Anderson there. Quote
blueskies Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 ...drove to Bonneville in 2007 and met Pete Anderson there... James and his Plymouth on the salt... Pete Quote
blueskies Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 ...She went 183.25 MPH....... Doesn't sound that fast, but it was done with a 79 Cubic Inch engine..... Incredible for a small displacemet engine... My only experience with bikes on the salt was cruising around on my '65 Honda Benly 150cc. Made about 50 mph... Pete Quote
moparjack44 Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 Welcome to the site. Ifen you don't mind, will you show your location, so we will know your whereabouts? Jack Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 Us oldtimers mostly know Pete (blueskies) hangs out in Idaho. But, it doen't say that in his upper right hand corner - for the benefit of newer folks. I have noticed an increased number of guys now listing their locations. That's really great. Now, some of you others, "get with the program", as they say. (who is 'they'??) Quote
moose Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 Looks like Mooses welds are gettig more better. Thanks Greg! This is one of my latest, for my '55. Equal length intake runners, and longer lead pipes on the headers(not equal length, but closer) Quote
woodscavenger Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 Great looking engine! Welcome to the forum. From the sounds of your experience you will give not just recieve. Moose, great pipes! How much for a dual intake dual exhaust for a Spitfire Block aka 25" long block? Quote
moose Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 Great looking engine! Welcome to the forum. From the sounds of your experience you will give not just recieve. Moose, great pipes! How much for a dual intake dual exhaust for a Spitfire Block aka 25" long block? I don't want to hijack this thread, so just send me an email here-- moose@manifoldsbymoose.com Quote
james curl Posted January 27, 2009 Report Posted January 27, 2009 Pete, thanks for posting the picture of my car and me at Bonneville. I hope to do it again in the near future but with a T-5 installed. I now have everything but the clutch and the new driveshaft to install in the 48. Just spent three hours at the machine shop opening up the input shaft retainer hole in the bellhousing and having a puck machined for the flywheel. Hope for nice weather so I can install everything. Quote
blueskies Posted January 27, 2009 Report Posted January 27, 2009 ...I hope to do it again in the near future but with a T-5 installed. Looks like you've got about 7 1/2 months... Speed Week starts August 7... Pete Quote
Xea737373 Posted January 30, 2009 Author Report Posted January 30, 2009 Dang Moose, what is that going on? Time to start a new thread! Details man, details! Quote
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