Edmunds Aluminum Head

[Young Ed]

Rick those fins are slick

[james curl]

I agree with Young Ed, that is one slick assembly. It looks better than most old Aluminum heads. I would like to see more details on the fabrication and installation of the finished part.

[Alshere59]

I would like to know who is buying all these? As far as we know every one who owns an engine that they fit is on this forum and no one has spoken up yet, maybe to hide the embarrassment for the ridiculous prices

If I was to guess I would say overseas. The economy is a bit better and with the exchange rate. Who knows.

[Frank Elder]

I would like to know who is buying all these? As far as we know every one who owns an engine that they fit is on this forum and no one has spoken up yet, maybe to hide the embarrassment for the ridiculous prices

There are 100's of owners out there that know nothing of this site.

[martybose]

It sold for $1500.00. (snip)

These parts are getting out of hand.

I am happy to see that if I ever put a rod through the side of my block and decide to go with a V-8, I can probably pay for the V-8 just by selling my Edmunds head and intake manifold, and pay for an automatic by selling my exhaust headers and my OD transmission!

Marty

[hotrodbob]

Dang, the prices are out of this world. When I first built my car I found the Edmunds head for $25 at the Pomona Swap meet and the Offy Intake at Long Beach the following weekend for $20. (1985). Sold the engine and all 12 years later for $1100. Thought I made a killing... Now I know why the guy I sold it to wont sell it back...It's his retirement program...

[40desoto]

I just picked up a used Edmunds head for a 25" block on ebay.  It has some hairline cracks and will need a helicoil in one spark plug hole.  $445.

A friend of mine says he can fix it and he owes me some work so itll be free of charge. 

[T120]

Nice find on the Edmunds head.You may already have the info. It has been brought up before on the forum...Because of the different thickness of the aluminum head, it requires a spark plug with a different  reach. 

Edited June 10, 2017 by T120

[martybose]

6 minutes ago, Ralph D25cpe said:

Nice find on the Edmunds head.You may already have the info. It has been brought up before on the forum...Because of the different thickness of the aluminum head, it requires a spark plug with a different (longer) reach. 

If it is the same as a 23 inch Edmunds, it will be a 1/2" reach plug, which can be a little hard to find.

 

Marty

[T120]

Thanks Marty..ask the man who owns one.

[40desoto]

Wow. Had no idea on the plug length uniqueness. I might have to inquire with you when I get it.

 

thank you

[40desoto]

Back to the original question on this thread.  At least here in So.Cal many younger people are spending lots of money on nostalgic speed parts.  Many buy to sell oversees specially Japan. They pay big bucks nostalgic American hot rod and lowrider cars and parts.

[sser2]

Custom aluminum head makes most sense to me of all hot rod parts. It makes sense even if I am not interested in racing, as it allows substantial increase in both power and ecomomy, with no downside. Good for everyday driving. 

Edgy heads are now $950. One might think expensive, but compared to what? To mass-produced heads of modern engines? Even these may cost $300-600 depending on the engine. Custom head is all hand-made. Earl pays $400 to the foundry, and then there is a lot of precision machining work after that. I think  the price is reasonable.

[JOHN EDGE]

I installed one of earl's heads- had it polished and an offy intake with 2 carter/weber carbs and fenton style exhaust manifolds

and i'm very happy with the look and performance. had nothing but compliments at shows about how good the engine looks dressed up.

wouldn't change a thing. sounds good with dual exhaust and cruises at 75 with  ease. 

[55 Fargo]

Now here are some great looking engines, and more traditional looking.

I am not a big fan of an assortment of "Billet" trinkets plastered under the hood, these engines are all go, not just show.

Here is mine, my style, I love old Edmunds heads, but not overly partial to an Edgerton head...

[dpollo]

The fellow who made these  head covers as described by Rick and pictured below his post  lives  near me.  He may have a couple left both for 23 and 25 inchers.  I will put you in touch if you send me a PM.

Edited June 6, 2017 by dpollo
clarification

[55 Fargo]

On 1/7/2017 at 2:44 AM, sser2 said:

Custom aluminum head makes most sense to me of all hot rod parts. It makes sense even if I am not interested in racing, as it allows substantial increase in both power and ecomomy, with no downside. Good for everyday driving. 

Edgy heads are now $950. One might think expensive, but compared to what? To mass-produced heads of modern engines? Even these may cost $300-600 depending on the engine. Custom head is all hand-made. Earl pays $400 to the foundry, and then there is a lot of precision machining work after that. I think  the price is reasonable.

Rather than having an EDGY head, I would much rather spend the money on custom  "pistons", cam and/or cam grind.

I do not see the big advantage of an aluminum head, other than eye candy for most users.

I have discussed this with the Flathead King George Asche Jr., he does not see any or much advantage to an aluminum head over a milled cast iron head.

Power can be made in a lot more ways than a head, on a l head engine, an OHV a different movie, power is really made in the head(s)

Edited June 6, 2017 by 55 Fargo Spitfire

[Young Ed]

Anyone remember seeing way back on this forum someone making a grid of fins that they bolted on top of the head?

[Plymouthy Adams]

vaguely Ed....but a search found this in just a couple seconds.......(post 18)

 

[JOHN EDGE]

I'd like to see what billet trinkets are available for these motors. Haven't found any to plaster on my engine. Not sure how fast an "all go"flathead 6 is compare to an "all show" flat head 6.  

[JOHN EDGE]

Here's my with a bunch of junk on it and an  edgy head

[55 Fargo]

13 hours ago, JOHN EDGE said:

I'd like to see what billet trinkets are available for these motors. Haven't found any to plaster on my engine. Not sure how fast an "all go"flathead 6 is compare to an "all show" flat head 6.  

I think you would be surprised what a hi perf 265 can dish out, compared a 218 or 230.

Engine dressup items while look good to those who like it, does not mean the engine has been built for a balance of max power and driveabalitly or just plain outright power designed for WOT use in racing or tractor pulling etc.

Just ask George Aasche, building these engines since 1949, in 1954 he hit 142 mph at the Daytona flying mile with his 265 powered 1929 Desoto roadster.

[JOHN EDGE]

Quote

think i'll post a photo of our race flathead built by art chrisman- think you'll like it spitfire- i'll run by the shop and take a few photos

 

[hkestes41]

On 6/6/2017 at 10:01 AM, 55 Fargo Spitfire said:

Rather than having an EDGY head, I would much rather spend the money on custom  "pistons", cam and/or cam grind.

I do not see the big advantage of an aluminum head, other than eye candy for most users.

I have discussed this with the Flathead King George Asche Jr., he does not see any or much advantage to an aluminum head over a milled cast iron head.

Power can be made in a lot more ways than a head, on a l head engine, an OHV a different movie, power is really made in the head(s)

There are actually multiple advantages to an aluminum head vs a cast iron head, even if combustion chamber design and volume is exactly the same in both. 

1) Aluminum is a much better heat conductor than is cast iron. The thermal conductivity value of aluminum is 237K while cast iron is 55K. Therefore the aluminum head will make your engine run cooler than a cast iron head. Add the fins on the aluminum head increasing the surface area of the head and you get even more cooling.

2) Aluminum is much lighter than cast iron. In fact you can take the weight of a cast iron head and multiply it by 0.39 to get the approximate weight of an aluminum head. So if a cast iron head were to weigh say 30 pounds then the equivalent aluminum head would weigh approximately 12-13 pounds. Reduced weight equals increased acceleration and improved MPG. 

3) The Edgy head is built using much newer production technology than a nearly 80 year old cast iron part and then individually machined offering improved sealing and theoretically improved flow. 

Just my two cents.

 

[55 Fargo]

1 hour ago, hkestes41 said:

There are actually multiple advantages to an aluminum head vs a cast iron head, even if combustion chamber design and volume is exactly the same in both. 

1) Aluminum is a much better heat conductor than is cast iron. The thermal conductivity value of aluminum is 237K while cast iron is 55K. Therefore the aluminum head will make your engine run cooler than a cast iron head. Add the fins on the aluminum head increasing the surface area of the head and you get even more cooling.

2) Aluminum is much lighter than cast iron. In fact you can take the weight of a cast iron head and multiply it by 0.39 to get the approximate weight of an aluminum head. So if a cast iron head were to weigh say 30 pounds then the equivalent aluminum head would weigh approximately 12-13 pounds. Reduced weight equals increased acceleration and improved MPG. 

3) The Edgy head is built using much newer production technology than a nearly 80 year old cast iron part and then individually machined offering improved sealing and theoretically improved flow. 

Just my two cents.

 

No point in convincing me  as I don't buy it.

Cooling have issues with cooling BTW did Edgerton resolve there issues with running hot. Was there a lack of coolant flow in this head design.

Dissimilar metals can be an issue aluminum and cast iron are not always a great mix.

Are you a customer of an EDGY head?

Cooling efficiency is the least of my concerns with this engine design. 

You might be making reference to Ford flathead V8s and aluminum heads they need all the help they can get with cooling.

I see no reason for pure performance reasons to use an aluminum head in these engines.

I think they have eye candy appeal however and most of those who buy them think they look real kool.

Edited June 10, 2017 by 55 Fargo Spitfire