The Ford Barn

37 Coupe · 02-22-2019, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

If the head that you let go wasn't a higher compression head , I wouldn't worry too much about it .

Are the higher compression heads really that desirable or advantageous? I guess I just look at what extra torque is required and next thing you know I would be on here crying about broken studs. Don't want to dig any more holes but will listen.

Benson · 02-22-2019, 03:32 PM

I do not know where all this concern about it being necessary to torque H C heads to 60 and more comes from...

For the record I started using Higher compression heads more than 55 years ago.

1. 5.2 Police head the "head with the large B".

Now granted I have ONLY driven 65,000 miles using several "heads with the Large B"

2. 4.6 head with "the large C".

3. Original Thomas 8.25 head.

4. Lion head III 7.0 CR.

I have NEVER torqued a head more than 55 lbs ... NEVER.

Purdy Swoft · 02-22-2019, 03:57 PM

I only torque my BF 5.9 heads to 55 ft. lbs. and have had no problems .

Purdy Swoft · 02-22-2019, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37 Coupe

Are the higher compression heads really that desirable or advantageous? I guess I just look at what extra torque is required and next thing you know I would be on here crying about broken studs. Don't want to dig any more holes but will listen.

My experience with higher compression heads has all been good . I feel that all model A's would benefit from one . It seems almost a difference in day and night in power . Steep hills are no longer a problem .I feel that the model A is safer when it has the power to get out of the way of faster moving traffic .

Benson · 02-22-2019, 04:50 PM

In the early 60's I went up to the top of Mount Evans 14,250 feet with one of the Model A clubs.

On the way back we stopped at the park in Idaho Springs for lunch.

I parked next to two restored shiny Coupes.

One guy came over and started talking in a loud voice about how much better his "restored" car was than any others.

Then he started on my driver ...

Fenders are not black ... same color as body (fresh paint though!)... wrong color body paint.

He also ripped the paint for some time for not being "points" quality and repaired fender cracks...

The Sport Coupe top was wrong color and material as wrong, wood needed replacement.

Seats were wrong like the top.

The wheels were 19s instead of 21s.

And on and on.

By then there was a large crowd gathered around and a second jerk had "chimed in".

Then someone in back of the crowd said:

Hey Fred ... Tell us why the Kid's Coupe out runs every other car on the tour.

Why is his car so much faster?

Bill Kenz was near the front of the car and said.

(I did not know who Bill Kenz was at the time but I made point of getting to know him.)

"That is because the Kid's car has a Police Head ..."

The two "experts" said

"What is a "Police Head" ??

In 1963 you did not just go down to your parts store and buy a "Police Head!!

That was the first and ONLY time I attended a club function.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-23-2019, 02:53 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yep, I feel the higher compression head is worth the money, and is the best bang for the buck to increase horsepower. After Larry quit making his 5.9 heads I bought a 5.5 from Bert's in Denver. Still haven't installed it, but looking forward to the day I can drive with it.

37 Coupe · 02-23-2019, 08:20 AM

I see where Bert's offers two heads ,one says not available until March,it is cheaper by $100 or so than the one that says USA made. So is this something you would do with an older engine or only with a rebuild and trustworthy studs?

30 Closed Cab PU · 02-23-2019, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

I agree , my experience has been that the water pump just pumps too much . Snyders suggested years ago to modify the impeller . I grind the tips of the impeller blades . Snyders offers a modified impeller . This is pictured on page A-140 and they give the info that you need . You can get a good idea where to grind by looking at the pics if you decide to do it yourself .This mod will also slightly reduce some of the power that an over pumping water pump will draw .

Any chance the old "roofing nail in the overflow tube" would help?

If no, why/downsides?

Purdy Swoft · 02-23-2019, 11:26 AM

I haven't tried the roofing nail fix but it sounds good . If the nail in the overflow pipe didn't work , it would be easy enough to remove and try something else .

katy · 02-23-2019, 11:57 AM

A higher compression head should improve efficiency.

Purdy Swoft · 02-23-2019, 03:50 PM

I get better gas mileage with my roadster that has a 5.9 head and dual B carbs than my 31 tudor with a side bowl Zenith . I think the higher compression heads also run a little cooler .

Jacksonlll · 02-23-2019, 08:02 PM

What about the tapers? Do they match? The fan hub to the nose of the shaft must be a tight fit. No movement. Maybe your tapers don’t match. In your video, I can’t tell if the movement is the shaft or the fan hub on the shaft.

02-22-2019, 03:32 PM	#42
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,595	Re: Water pump won't fit now. I do not know where all this concern about it being necessary to torque H C heads to 60 and more comes from... For the record I started using Higher compression heads more than 55 years ago. 1. 5.2 Police head the "head with the large B". Now granted I have ONLY driven 65,000 miles using several "heads with the Large B" 2. 4.6 head with "the large C". 3. Original Thomas 8.25 head. 4. Lion head III 7.0 CR. I have NEVER torqued a head more than 55 lbs ... NEVER. Last edited by Benson; 02-22-2019 at 03:38 PM.

02-22-2019, 03:57 PM	#43
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Water pump won't fit now. I only torque my BF 5.9 heads to 55 ft. lbs. and have had no problems .

02-22-2019, 04:50 PM	#45
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,595	Re: Water pump won't fit now. In the early 60's I went up to the top of Mount Evans 14,250 feet with one of the Model A clubs. On the way back we stopped at the park in Idaho Springs for lunch. I parked next to two restored shiny Coupes. One guy came over and started talking in a loud voice about how much better his "restored" car was than any others. Then he started on my driver ... Fenders are not black ... same color as body (fresh paint though!)... wrong color body paint. He also ripped the paint for some time for not being "points" quality and repaired fender cracks... The Sport Coupe top was wrong color and material as wrong, wood needed replacement. Seats were wrong like the top. The wheels were 19s instead of 21s. And on and on. By then there was a large crowd gathered around and a second jerk had "chimed in". Then someone in back of the crowd said: Hey Fred ... Tell us why the Kid's Coupe out runs every other car on the tour. Why is his car so much faster? Bill Kenz was near the front of the car and said. (I did not know who Bill Kenz was at the time but I made point of getting to know him.) "That is because the Kid's car has a Police Head ..." The two "experts" said "What is a "Police Head" ?? In 1963 you did not just go down to your parts store and buy a "Police Head!! That was the first and ONLY time I attended a club function. Last edited by Benson; 02-22-2019 at 05:02 PM.

02-23-2019, 02:53 AM	#46
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Water pump won't fit now. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yep, I feel the higher compression head is worth the money, and is the best bang for the buck to increase horsepower. After Larry quit making his 5.9 heads I bought a 5.5 from Bert's in Denver. Still haven't installed it, but looking forward to the day I can drive with it.

02-23-2019, 08:20 AM	#47
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Re: Water pump won't fit now. I see where Bert's offers two heads ,one says not available until March,it is cheaper by $100 or so than the one that says USA made. So is this something you would do with an older engine or only with a rebuild and trustworthy studs? __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II

02-23-2019, 11:26 AM	#49
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Water pump won't fit now. I haven't tried the roofing nail fix but it sounds good . If the nail in the overflow pipe didn't work , it would be easy enough to remove and try something else .

02-23-2019, 11:57 AM	#50
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,043	Re: Water pump won't fit now. A higher compression head should improve efficiency. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

02-23-2019, 03:50 PM	#51
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Water pump won't fit now. I get better gas mileage with my roadster that has a 5.9 head and dual B carbs than my 31 tudor with a side bowl Zenith . I think the higher compression heads also run a little cooler .

02-23-2019, 08:02 PM	#52
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Water pump won't fit now. What about the tapers? Do they match? The fan hub to the nose of the shaft must be a tight fit. No movement. Maybe your tapers don’t match. In your video, I can’t tell if the movement is the shaft or the fan hub on the shaft.