Flathead sound.

[Fibber Mcgee]

Maybe an unanswerable question. But what causes the unique sound of a Flathead, specifically the tat tat tat tat sound at idle? It almost makes you think it's not running right. This is not specific to my engine but all Ford flatheads I've heard.

[Fibber Mcgee]

Maybe I should have been more specific, I was talking about exhaust sound. Thats the best word I could think of to describe the more pronounced sound at idle without mufflers.

[SofaKing]

Could it be related to the firing order and the shared exhaust port?

[RalphM]

Originally Posted by SofaKing

Could it be related to the firing order and the shared exhaust port?

That's it!

[Ol' Ron]

Yes The first 4 cyls in the firing order are the end cyls on each side the next for are the center cyls. So there is a longer delay from the end cyls to the centers. If that makes much sense. But, boy I love it, add alittle choke to your stocker at the drive in, and they'll think it an L-100.

[19Fordy]

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I call it the early "motor boat rumble".

[scicala]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Yes The first 4 cyls in the firing order are the end cyls on each side the next for are the center cyls. So there is a longer delay from the end cyls to the centers. If that makes much sense. But, boy I love it, add alittle choke to your stocker at the drive in, and they'll think it an L-100.

Yes, the poor man's performance cam sound......, pull out the choke a little bit. I used to have a '55 Merc (when a kid) that had a bad power valve. The idle sounded so good, that I almost left it that way. Stunk a little though.

Sal

[Fibber Mcgee]

Thanks. That does make sense, so the end cylinders are the lower less pronounced tones and the center cylinders are the higher more pronounced tones giving it almost an uneven sound. I love the sound just never knew where it came from.

[V12Bill]

What makes a Harley sound like a Harley? Didn't some Jajpanese company try to duplicate that sound and got sued by Harley? Why did my dog know the sound of my sister in laws Sentra and get all excited and not stir when another Sentra went by the house?

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by scicala

Boy I love it......pull out the choke a little bit at the drive in. Yes, the poor man's performance cam sound.

Yeah, 'til somebody with the REAL cam calls ya out. ALMOST as lame as the guy with a "stuffed" sock in his pants at the sock-hop. DD

[Admiral]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Yeah, 'til somebody with the REAL cam calls ya out. ALMOST as lame as the guy with a "stuffed" sock in his pants at the sock-hop. DD

A real automotive codpiece! Anyway, I always thought these engines sounded the way they did because the center cylinders in each bank share an exhaust outlet.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Admiral

I always thought these engines sounded the way they did because the center cylinders in each bank share an exhaust outlet.

So did a lot of engines including Olds, etc.

[flatford8]

Originally Posted by JSeery

So did a lot of engines including Olds, etc.

So this is why in the nostalgia magazines I see three exhaust pipes on a motor with valve covers..... Mark

[theHIGHLANDER]

Originally Posted by V12Bill

What makes a Harley sound like a Harley? Didn't some Jajpanese company try to duplicate that sound and got sued by Harley? Why did my dog know the sound of my sister in laws Sentra and get all excited and not stir when another Sentra went by the house?

Harley engines have a "dead stroke" as in 2 power and 2 exhaust which gives a "bang-bang" and a "puff-puff". Yes, the Yamaha Virago models had a dead stroke if I recall right. I always thought of flatheads as an adorable "blubber" characteristic to the exhaust tone.

[aonemarine]

my favorite!!
https://youtu.be/oPp-DfDRYX8

[petehoovie]

Wilson & Woods cylinder heads - they're beautiful....

[RalphM]

Awesome sound! What kind of heads are those? I couldn't read the lettering. What cam is that thing running?

[Willit Stop]

How about this for music?
http://www.wimp.com/sweet-georgia-br...-band-drummer/

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by RalphM

Awesome sound! What kind of heads are those? I couldn't read the lettering. What cam is that thing running?

Wilson & Woods Cylinder Heads

[aonemarine]

Originally Posted by RalphM

Awesome sound! What kind of heads are those? I couldn't read the lettering. What cam is that thing running?

comp cams mutha thumper 287 or 295. sounds like he has some serious compression and looks like on alky by the fuel bowl...