ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

I'm in a flathead Facebook group and one of the guys posted this picture of a dual plug flat head. Any one know what the heck this is?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...67639643_n.jpg

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Those heads were floated over on the HAMB quite a while back and no one identified them there. They look to only have partial water cooling which may not have been a good thing. At least one other manufacturer tried something similar and it too didn't go over well with the early rodders. My guess would be for boat racing since most of the dual plug stuff was developed for that.

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Wonder why the plugs are there, but not wired up?

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

It might be aircraft. Planes are required to have a twin plug setup.
It would be a BIG project to set up a twin firing setup, when an automobile didn't really need it. Probably, that is why both plugs are not wired.
MIKE :)

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Early aircraft engines were not required to have dual ignitions. For example this flathead that powered the 'Arrow'

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...e.jpg~original

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

I have seen old fire truck engines with dual ignition, but never a flathead Ford. Yet it could be a possibility.

Note the fins for extra cooling I would guess.

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Perhaps, in the early days, it was not required. I have read, where it is required, now. I'm sure that a dual system has saved many lives. What was the year of the "ARROW" ?
SHADETREE - You are a student of flying, please step in and educate us.
MIKE :)

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

That was 1937:)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...5.jpg~original

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Mike,
I am no aviation scholar but in the early years it was anything goes. The engine that 51 Merc pictured is definitely an aircraft or air boat engine. Note the propeller flange and the gear reduction. Some Pietenpol airplanes were powered by the Model A engine and I doubt if it had dual ignition.

However you are right about dual ignition saving lives.

We have a 1946 Aeronca Champ and it has dual ignition. That is the earliest airplane I have flown.

Bud

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Shadetree, The carburetor in 51 Merc's picture appears to be tilted backward. Would this mean that it more likely was a boat engine than a plane engine?

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

They appear to be Fenton, see the casting just under the radiator hose.

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

What radiator hose. Boat or airplane both are/were air cooled. JMO

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Early aircraft engines were not required to have dual ignition. For instance a Taylorcraft A model with a 40 Horsepower Continental engine did not have dual ignition.

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Not very many air-cooled boat engines out there. DD

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

The 'tilt' is because of the angle the picture was taken, the engine is indeed out of an aircraft, not a boat.
The same as this 1936 version of the same type aircraft.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...e.jpg~original

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Awesome pic........ love the exhaust !!
Guy on right looks like F1 driver David Coulthard

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

:eek: Sorry. My brain was out to the cleaners when I wrote that. LOL :D

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

That's a great photo of flathead powering an airplane, duel ignition or plugs or not. This is a great site, with folks that have really varied interests and knowledge. Learn something new every time I go on it. Thanks

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

There was at least one brand of airplane that ran a model A engine inverted and 1 plug per cylinder, but i lost my mind and can not remember the name. I am sure someone else will remember.

Re: ID a twin plug Flatty?
 

Pietenpol Air Camper eventually used Model A engine as standard. DD