Could Edelbrock cast a flathead block

[JSeery]

Guys, this block already exist! It has already been cast, built and tested! The drawings are done, the CAD work finished, the casting procedure is done. It is a physical engine you can look at. There are still insurmountable road blocks to bringing it to market. These are not easy task to accomplish, we are not talking heads or oil pans here. I worked in a foundry for years and have built casting molds. It is not going to happen.

[Henry Floored]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Guys, this block already exist! It has already been cast, built and tested! The drawings are done, the CAD work finished, the casting procedure is done. It is a physical engine you can look at. There are still insurmountable road blocks to bringing it to market. These are not easy task to accomplish, we are not talking heads or oil pans here. I worked in a foundry for years and have built casting molds. It is not going to happen.

The first part of your statement contradicts the last sentence. On one hand you say it was done, then you say it can't happen. Please fill in the blanks. I honestly would value the details of your opinion of this.

[JSeery]

The people that have build these engine are not able to get it on the market. They can build one-off engines but not production. If you were really wanting to do something like this get with them and see what is required to get the engine that already exist into production.

For some reason these links are not working, see post #15. The last link is a very detailed video.

http://www.motorcityspeedequipment.c...ge_id=newblock

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news...-just-wont-die

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news...-just-wont-die

http://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus...d/1281426.html

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...athead.966947/

http://vintagemotorsusa.org/AluminumFlathead.html

I would love to see one on the market, but just don't believe it is going to happen anytime soon. The Motor City block has been advertised as ready to be mass produced for years. "Ready this fall" "Early next year" etc. for years!

[Henry Floored]

Originally Posted by JSeery

The people that have build these engine are not able to get it on the market. They can build one-off engines but not production. If you were really wanting to do something like this get with them and see what is required to get the engine that already exist into production.

http://www.motorcityspeedequipment.c...ge_id=newblock

http://www.hotrod.com/news/0603sr-fo...thead-rebirth/

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news...-just-wont-die

http://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus...d/1281426.html

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...athead.966947/

http://vintagemotorsusa.org/AluminumFlathead.html

I know Mark and I know about his project. Whatever is preventing this engine from coming to market is a shameful travesty. As I have always said for what Ford Motor Company spends in a weekend on racing they could have pushed Mark over the top ten times over.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Henry Floored

I know Mark and I know about his project. Whatever is preventing this engine from coming to market is a shameful travesty. As I have always said for what Ford Motor Company spends in a weekend on racing they could have pushed Mark over the top ten times over.

Then guess I'm confused why you would think if they can't get it done why you would believe that a start from scratch approach would pan out?

[Henry Floored]

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Originally Posted by JSeery

Then guess I'm confused why you would think if they can't get it done why you would believe that a start from scratch approach would pan out?

Two different balls of wax. I am speaking about an improved replacement block.

[flatheadmurre]

Originally Posted by Henry Floored

Two different balls of wax. I am speaking about an improved replacement block.

The MCF block is all of that including it´s a wetsleeve construction to get easier cores to deal with.
Going wetsleeve makes it a lot easier making the mold.

[weemark]

I thought Don Ferguson was or had casting new aluminium blocks? I'm sure I seen a car with one it it, the engine had Ardun heads and a Scot blower atop and I am definite I was told it was an Ali block which was completely new.

[38 coupe]

A block for Ardun application is easier to cast than a block for flathead use. With the Ardun you don't need any of the intake or exhaust passages that add a lot of complication to the casting.

[Fordors]

I think the video shows why the project was aborted. In addition to Mark Kirby there was an additional brain trust involved in the project and they re-engineered the whole package. There isn't much they left on the table that is not unique to the MCFH aluminum block; d-ports, smaller, relocated head studs, roller cam and unique guides, proprietary heads needed for new stud locations, revised oil pan, water pumps, front cover, cam gears, Fluiddamper balancer and on and on.
It is for certain a complete work of engineering excellence, but all the upgrades made it out of reach ($$$$$) for the typical hobbiest and it's for that reason I think the project was shelved. Who wouldn't want one, but how many could pay for, or justify the cost?

[BillM]

It appears that the video mentioned was shot in 2012; anyone seen anything since then?
http://vintagemotorsusa.org/events.htm

[Henry Floored]

Originally Posted by BillM

It appears that the video mentioned was shot in 2012; anyone seen anything since then?
http://vintagemotorsusa.org/events.htm

I spoke to someone last year that is involved to some degree with that project. He basically told me that a similar '34 Ford with a ZZ4 Chevy engine cannot outrun the '34 Ford with the MCF Flathead. This was about a year or so ago.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Henry Floored

I spoke to someone last year that is involved to some degree with that project. He basically told me that a similar '34 Ford with a ZZ4 Chevy engine cannot outrun the '34 Ford with the MCF Flathead. This was about a year or so ago.

I love flatheads as much as anyone, but I find this very hard to believe. There is more to this story if true.

In stock form, ZZ4's put out 350 h.p and 400 ft lbs of torque. Hard to walk away from that, even with a 300+c.i. normally asperated flathead.

Same trams, same rear, I think that story is an urban legend.

[Henry Floored]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I love flatheads as much as anyone, but I find this very hard to believe. There is more to this story if true.

In stock form, ZZ4's put out 350 h.p and 400 ft lbs of torque. Hard to walk away from that, even with a 300+c.i. normally asperated flathead.

Same trams, same rear, I think that story is an urban legend.

Tim, you know I'm not sure about the Chevy combo. I will say this though, the most important way to look at engine performance on a dyno is to look at the "area under the curve". Simply put hp and torque averages are more important than peak numbers.

Thinking about it another way, the stock 221" Flatty in my '41 runs darn good for what it is. I doubt a 221" OHV V8 would put all that much daylight between us if the theoretical 221" OHV were similarly equipped induction wise.

"Flatheads don't breathe" is the mantra you hear. Maybe at stop light to stop light speeds the L head engine doesn't give up all that much in breathing and make up for it with better fuel mixing and combustion efficiency. Not to mention the 4 3/8" stroke in the belly of that Flatty. That's a dimension that a small block Chevy could never swallow. Just sayin'.

[Tim Ayers]

That's the thing about that ZZ4 combo, it was designed with a really useful torque and power curve. I don't doubt MCF flatty gave it a run for its money, but it's a tough package to beat. Plus, some of them had the LS4 cam package that jumped the performance up even more.

I really want this MCF project to happen. I think it would be awesome to have some of these big boy flatties running around.