The Ford Barn

Deuce Man · 09-01-2011, 08:40 AM

I have been driving my 50 merc powered 32 for eleven years now. During this time it has been in various states of mis-tune. The motor is 60 over, 4 inch crank, Max 1 cam, offy heads, and two 97s. Ignition and fuel have been ongoing problems (looks like Im not the only one). I started with the original distributor which barely ran. Replaced it with a Mallory dual point,(the modern cheapo one) much better but I was never quite satisfied with the power of the motor. Fuel was another problem. My car surged some under load vaporlocked a lot in traffic on hot days and generally felt like there was never quite enough fuel. I recently installed a 6 volt carter fuel pump back under the car near the fuel tank. Also used a holly regulator on the firewall. Much better, next came a cut down chevy points distributor from Bubba,and a new set of plugs. Eureka! this thing runs like gang busters! Now my biggest worry is how long will it last with me screaming up an down back roads like a crazy teenager. I guess all this new found power and rpms will get old or at least the newness will wear off in a week or so,But for now it is sure a lot of fun. So what all this boils down to is that most of what I accomplished came with the help of fellow barners and this forum. So thanks guys and bubba too. Old Ron, the proper advance curve and vacuum anvance make a world of difference! I can run much more initial advance now without pinging, my motor also runs 10 to 15 degrees cooler with more advance. Rich.

jdl · 09-01-2011, 10:52 AM

It never gets old... you will grin every time you drive her. thanks for posting, nice to see someone have success with a problem.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 09-01-2011, 01:40 PM

Thanks for the press !!! The conversion has been amazing !! To date we have shipped almost 500 of these ( 497) to very happy customers. I have never seen a better improvement on a flathead.
I think the design of the engine loves a very proper advance curve...

Deuce Man · 09-01-2011, 02:18 PM

Bubba I know old barney navarro thought the 8ba ventiri vacuum distributor was good, but it would be an interesting comparison to swap one on a stock motor with a more modern centrifugal/vacuum cut down Bubba distributor. Rich

junk yard kid · 09-01-2011, 03:33 PM

My motor was stock when installed a bubba dizzy. Made a huge difference.

Ol' Ron · 09-01-2011, 05:06 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Most 8BA style Flatheads have a poor ignition system. Adding 2 carbs makes it worse. It took allot of time and putzing by many people to get as far as we;ve come. Every engine is alittle differant and if you want to get the nost out of it you have to understand just what YOUR engine needs. Richards engine is running 22 degs machanical plus inital and 8 vac, this is quite allot, but, it has an L-100 cam which will bleed off some compression and preven detination. He's also getting 21 MPG and this is an adverage of town and hyway. Ido think ther's more to come.
Just keep putzing.

09-01-2011, 08:40 AM	#1
Deuce Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Palm City FL> Posts: 556	Flathead tune up. I have been driving my 50 merc powered 32 for eleven years now. During this time it has been in various states of mis-tune. The motor is 60 over, 4 inch crank, Max 1 cam, offy heads, and two 97s. Ignition and fuel have been ongoing problems (looks like Im not the only one). I started with the original distributor which barely ran. Replaced it with a Mallory dual point,(the modern cheapo one) much better but I was never quite satisfied with the power of the motor. Fuel was another problem. My car surged some under load vaporlocked a lot in traffic on hot days and generally felt like there was never quite enough fuel. I recently installed a 6 volt carter fuel pump back under the car near the fuel tank. Also used a holly regulator on the firewall. Much better, next came a cut down chevy points distributor from Bubba,and a new set of plugs. Eureka! this thing runs like gang busters! Now my biggest worry is how long will it last with me screaming up an down back roads like a crazy teenager. I guess all this new found power and rpms will get old or at least the newness will wear off in a week or so,But for now it is sure a lot of fun. So what all this boils down to is that most of what I accomplished came with the help of fellow barners and this forum. So thanks guys and bubba too. Old Ron, the proper advance curve and vacuum anvance make a world of difference! I can run much more initial advance now without pinging, my motor also runs 10 to 15 degrees cooler with more advance. Rich.

09-01-2011, 10:52 AM	#2
jdl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: California Central Coast Posts: 931	Re: Flathead tune up. It never gets old... you will grin every time you drive her. thanks for posting, nice to see someone have success with a problem.

09-01-2011, 01:40 PM	#3
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: Flathead tune up. Thanks for the press !!! The conversion has been amazing !! To date we have shipped almost 500 of these ( 497) to very happy customers. I have never seen a better improvement on a flathead. I think the design of the engine loves a very proper advance curve... __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

09-01-2011, 02:18 PM	#4
Deuce Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Palm City FL> Posts: 556	Re: Flathead tune up. Bubba I know old barney navarro thought the 8ba ventiri vacuum distributor was good, but it would be an interesting comparison to swap one on a stock motor with a more modern centrifugal/vacuum cut down Bubba distributor. Rich

09-01-2011, 03:33 PM	#5
junk yard kid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: san diego Posts: 114	Re: Flathead tune up. My motor was stock when installed a bubba dizzy. Made a huge difference.

09-01-2011, 05:06 PM	#6
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: Flathead tune up. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Most 8BA style Flatheads have a poor ignition system. Adding 2 carbs makes it worse. It took allot of time and putzing by many people to get as far as we;ve come. Every engine is alittle differant and if you want to get the nost out of it you have to understand just what YOUR engine needs. Richards engine is running 22 degs machanical plus inital and 8 vac, this is quite allot, but, it has an L-100 cam which will bleed off some compression and preven detination. He's also getting 21 MPG and this is an adverage of town and hyway. Ido think ther's more to come. Just keep putzing.