The Ford Barn

jimTN · 03-01-2022, 08:10 AM

I have been successful with these while some have not. I just want to warn folks about a defective product. There are some of these on EBAY now from a well known supplier. They are not properly made, too long and setscrew location is wrong. I purchased a set and found they blocked the center port. I compared them to an old cast iron version I took out of a block and found the differences. I will modify the new ones to match the old one but want folks to know there is a problem with those on EBAY. I tried to call the vender but you all know "please pardon the wait because of covid" excuse.

Ol' Ron · 03-01-2022, 08:41 AM

I've neveer used the in a street application, I did use them in some of my track engines, but never saw any improvement in performance. It looks like a good idea, BUt?????
Gramps

deuce_roadster · 03-01-2022, 11:11 AM

I would love to see dyno tests with and without those things. Seems to me the restriction would be worse than what they are trying to achieve.

ford38v8 · 03-01-2022, 11:38 AM

I was told that moving the merge point further down the ports helps to prevent turbulence, and decreases heat soak at the ports.

Tim Ayers · 03-01-2022, 12:26 PM

I don't have it handy to reference, but in JWL's book, he did some testing with these. His were highly modified versions.

oldskool · 03-01-2022, 02:16 PM

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my dad had a midget in 1948 with a V60 flathead ported & relived dual strombergs 97 he used the wedges he blew the engine up trying to keep up with the offys.LOL

Ol' Ron · 03-01-2022, 04:59 PM

The reason for the wedges was to prevent contamination of the adjacent cylinder by the exhaust gases from one cylinder to another, when running a long duration cam. During my flowbench tests back in the 90s I found the center exhaust ports to be the best of any other port. That was a supprise to me???
Gramps

Lawson Cox · 03-01-2022, 05:04 PM

I know what a wedgie is, but I don't think that is what you are talking about. Right? LOL

Pete · 03-01-2022, 05:25 PM

The ones you buy do not work. They are WAY too big and actually block the port. The ones we use are only 1'' x 1.25" and 1/8" thick. We make them from inconel and they are held in by a draw screw which essentially makes them permanent.
We have never built a stock engine but I doubt they would help any there. They are definitely worth the effort on an all out vintage circle track engine.

03-01-2022, 08:10 AM	#1
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,514	exhaust wedges, port spreaders I have been successful with these while some have not. I just want to warn folks about a defective product. There are some of these on EBAY now from a well known supplier. They are not properly made, too long and setscrew location is wrong. I purchased a set and found they blocked the center port. I compared them to an old cast iron version I took out of a block and found the differences. I will modify the new ones to match the old one but want folks to know there is a problem with those on EBAY. I tried to call the vender but you all know "please pardon the wait because of covid" excuse.

03-01-2022, 08:41 AM	#2
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,892	Re: exhaust wedges, port spreaders I've neveer used the in a street application, I did use them in some of my track engines, but never saw any improvement in performance. It looks like a good idea, BUt????? Gramps

03-01-2022, 11:11 AM	#3
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,810	Re: exhaust wedges, port spreaders I would love to see dyno tests with and without those things. Seems to me the restriction would be worse than what they are trying to achieve.

03-01-2022, 11:38 AM	#4
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,673	Re: exhaust wedges, port spreaders I was told that moving the merge point further down the ports helps to prevent turbulence, and decreases heat soak at the ports. __________________ Alan

03-01-2022, 12:26 PM	#5
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,241	Re: exhaust wedges, port spreaders I don't have it handy to reference, but in JWL's book, he did some testing with these. His were highly modified versions.

03-01-2022, 02:16 PM	#6
oldskool Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: shirley ny Posts: 992	Re: exhaust wedges, port spreaders Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) my dad had a midget in 1948 with a V60 flathead ported & relived dual strombergs 97 he used the wedges he blew the engine up trying to keep up with the offys.LOL

03-01-2022, 04:59 PM	#7
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,892	Re: exhaust wedges, port spreaders The reason for the wedges was to prevent contamination of the adjacent cylinder by the exhaust gases from one cylinder to another, when running a long duration cam. During my flowbench tests back in the 90s I found the center exhaust ports to be the best of any other port. That was a supprise to me??? Gramps

03-01-2022, 05:04 PM	#8
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: exhaust wedges, port spreaders I know what a wedgie is, but I don't think that is what you are talking about. Right? LOL __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

03-01-2022, 05:25 PM	#9
Pete BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,423	Re: exhaust wedges, port spreaders The ones you buy do not work. They are WAY too big and actually block the port. The ones we use are only 1'' x 1.25" and 1/8" thick. We make them from inconel and they are held in by a draw screw which essentially makes them permanent. We have never built a stock engine but I doubt they would help any there. They are definitely worth the effort on an all out vintage circle track engine.