hello guys which ohv unit works best , crager riley ? ?

[john greco]

which ohv head works the best as far as drivability ? horespower ? are the new ones any good ? what cam and carbs work the best with this conversion ? does anyone know of any for sale ?

[Chris Haynes]

http://www.secretsofspeed.com/RILEY.htm

[redmodelt]

The free one!

[hotrodalley]

steve serr crager

[Crazydaddyo]

Originally Posted by hotrodalley

steve serr crager

^^^^^^^ What he said. ^^^^^^^^

.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

John, in thinking about your question(s) over the past couple of days, ...how many people have actually owned both heads, --either as the originals or reproductions to be able to give you unbiased feedback regarding comparisons? While I am not a fan of "Yapp Krapp", his repro F head was a great trend setter because of some modifications he made to it to improve drivability of the more stock-type L-head engine. I own (and have owned) several banger OH valve heads (including a Steve Serr Miller) and each has there own characteristics and strengths IMO. I am also of the opinion that knowing the best camshaft, induction, drivability etc. are all determined when one knows whether the combination will be installed in a Speedster, a Roadster, or a 4-door Sedan, ...and whether "driveability" means 'stop light to stop light', or countryside touring.

As far as other's for sale, unless you are a machinist and have the ability to repair original units, I would suggest you look towards new ones. Steve Serr and Dan Price both make nice units. Since I have raced bangers with Dan and know him personally, I also know that he has other "more unique" heads for sale that might interest you however I would tend to say that some of his would lean more towards being a racing head than what a repro 2P head might be on the street. I hope this helps you some.

.

[George Miller]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

John, in thinking about your question(s) over the past couple of days, ...how many people have actually owned both heads, --either as the originals or reproductions to be able to give you unbiased feedback regarding comparisons? While I am not a fan of "Yapp Krapp", his repro F head was a great trend setter because of some modifications he made to it to improve drivability of the more stock-type L-head engine. I own (and have owned) several banger OH valve heads (including a Steve Serr Miller) and each has there own characteristics and strengths IMO. I am also of the opinion that knowing the best camshaft, induction, drivability etc. are all determined when one knows whether the combination will be installed in a Speedster, a Roadster, or a 4-door Sedan, ...and whether "driveability" means 'stop light to stop light', or countryside touring.

As far as other's for sale, unless you are a machinist and have the ability to repair original units, I would suggest you look towards new ones. Steve Serr and Dan Price both make nice units. Since I have raced bangers with Dan and know him personally, I also know that he has other "more unique" heads for sale that might interest you however I would tend to say that some of his would lean more towards being a racing head than what a repro 2P head might be on the street. I hope this helps you some.

.

I think Brent has it right. It all depends on the combination of things. You have to have it all. To much camshaft will kill them to much carb will kill them for the street.

[just plain bill]

Originally Posted by George Miller

I think Brent has it right. It all depends on the combination of things. You have to have it all. To much camshaft will kill them to much carb will kill them for the street.

It is kinda like sex, all are good but some better.
It takes more than just bolting on a "Gee Whiz" head and buying a cam that is recommended by some one as being the best, bolting on a pair of Strombergs and installing the latest "bells and whistle" ignition. I don't use radical cams and I try to hold the compression under 8 to 1. I have set up the Miller/Cragar type OHV but have had better results with the F head in my car. Admittedly, I haven't had any experience with the Miller High Speed or the Dan Price unit. Both are well engineered and tested. To me, in my humble opinion, the proof is in the results not in the magazine articles.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by just plain bill

It is kinda like sex, all are good but some better.
It takes more than just bolting on a "Gee Whiz" head and buying a cam that is recommended by some one as being the best, bolting on a pair of Strombergs and installing the latest "bells and whistle" ignition. I don't use radical cams and I try to hold the compression under 8 to 1. I have set up the Miller type OHV but have had better results with the F head in my car. Admittedly, I haven't had any experience with the Miller High Speed or the Dan Price unit. Both are well engineered and tested. To me, in my humble opinion, the proof is in the results not in the magazine articles.

.

[Jim Brierley]

Brent in 10-uh-C covered it nicely. There is an old adage, "if you want to race, get a Cragar, if you want to win, get a Riley" Having said that the 4-port Riley is by far the best performer, then the Serr Miller, followed by the 2-port Riley. I own and run 4-ports and an early Miller, and have owned and ran a 2-port many years ago.

[82ndscotty]

love my serr miller on . m13 cam, single 94 carb ,30 coupe. scotty

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by john greco

which ohv head works the best as far as drivability ? horespower ? are the new ones any good ? what cam and carbs work the best with this conversion ? does anyone know of any for sale ?

John,
There are many different OHV setups to be had, and you can select one, depending on how fast/how much money you want to spend to go fast. I know some great model A/B guys that have collections of OHV 'stuff' , including many complete running OHV setups. None for sale, as collectors don't sell..they collect!
My opinion..there is a great variety of flathead heads that will give less grief, cost less(BY THOUSANDS) and that you can readily get info/help with. Sure there are a couple groups whose members seem to run OHV setups, but unless you live next to such member who will share experience/knowledge...it's a trial/error thing, I've found. Very expensive way to learn with OHV. When you add cams/carbs/intakes/ exhaust/distributors,etc...into your question, now you've upped the $ input substantially! As to 'which is best', everyone has an opinion of what they have or run and, of course, there's the builders opinions.
My opinion...google: "Frick". That guy's creations have always amazed me!

[Flathead]

God Bless the Flatheads. Oh wait, that wasn't the question.

[sturgis 39]

The Yapp Riley is not aluminum. He also is producing the roof head.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by sturgis 39

The Yapp Riley is not aluminum. He also is producing the roof head.

I don't believe anyone said it was, did they?

.

[sturgis 39]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

I don't believe anyone said it was, did they?

.

Brent

I was lucky to get out of spell check with the word "aluminum". I think that most of the rest are aluminum but I am not sure. I am also not sure whether the correct term is cast iron or cast steel. The Yapp Roof head is not aluminum.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by sturgis 39

Brent

I was lucky to get out of spell check with the word "aluminum".

Ohh, ...OK


Just curious since you mentioned it, do you think having a steel head vs. an aluminum head is an advantage, --or disadvantage in this application?

.

[sturgis 39]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Ohh, ...OK


Just curious since you mentioned it, do you think having a steel head vs. an aluminum head is an advantage, --or disadvantage in this application?

.

Brent

I like steel head because coefficient of expansion is the same as the block. Keeps the head gasket from moving. That is the only advantage. I would not be afraid of buying an aluminum head.

[just plain bill]

In 2008 my 1500 lb. car with a Riley 2 port ran 84 MPH at the Antique Nationals. (This past year it ran 82 with a Winfield head) I don't remember hearing how fast the Miller/ Cragar equipped cars ran. If I'm correct the fastest one this past year was 78 or something like that

[CWPASADENA]

Originally Posted by sturgis 39

Brent

I like steel head because coefficient of expansion is the same as the block. Keeps the head gasket from moving. That is the only advantage. I would not be afraid of buying an aluminum head.

I agree,

If you are going to put something together and do not want to take it apart for a long time, I think you have better luck running a Cast Iron Head. That said, there is supposed to be gaskets available that eliminate part of the problem of things expending at different rates. However, if I had my choice, I still like a Cast Iron Head with a Cast Iron Block.

Just my opinion,

Chris