OHC Flathead

[Sanddoc]

I remember reading about a man in North Hollywood who
built an OHC flathead, sometime right after WWII
Does anyone know his name?
Best

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Sanddoc

I remember reading about a man in North Hollywood who
built an OHC flathead, sometime right after WWII
Does anyone know his name?
Best

Maybe George Riley ? But don't think that he was NH area, but downtown La.

[Flatout]

Ford engineering, in the late 30's or early 40's made 10 ohc engines based on the flathead block. The idea was to develop design ideas for the future. It's been reported that Henry ordered them to be destroyed. The old engine design continued for another 10+or so years.
The story about them, complete with photos was published in 1959. I think it was Motor Life Magazine, and authored by Barney Navarro. It was too long ago for my ancient memory to be sure.

[Flatout]

George Riley built some ohc engines that used Ford cranks, rods, and pistons, and pan. I think Riley made all other major comments.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

This one isnt a overhead camshaft but a record breaker for sure . Cover of Hot Rod mag in 1955 the Willie Davis streamliner. This engine is in the Speedway motors museum.
Uncommon enginering here in Indy builds a overhead camshaft flathead today.

Study the valvetrain on this drawing of the Adams/Moller CT engine..

[51 MERC-CT]

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Originally Posted by BUBBAS IGNITION

This one isnt a overhead camshaft but a record breaker for sure . Cover of Hot Rod mag in 1955 the Willie Davis streamliner. This engine is in the Speedway motors museum.
Uncommon enginering here in Indy builds a overhead camshaft flathead today.

Study the valvetrain on this drawing of the Adams/Moller CT engine..

Having a little difficulty visualizing how the exhaust rockers pick up action from the cam.

[Fordors]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Having a little difficulty visualizing how the exhaust rockers pick up action from the cam.

Very hard to read but the text on the drawing mentions the "transverse pushrod". The pushrods are parallel to the deck of the block, a bit hard to see.
Seems like a lot of monkey-motion but it worked well enough to set a record.

[Kahuna]

Look at picture & study cylinder #5. You will notice a pushrod of sorts that goes from one side to the other to operate the exhaust valve.
A bit difficult to see
Jim

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Willie Davis was my neighbor that built the streamliner in 1955 using the overhead valve engine. He passed away last year. We were at Jungle Park a couple years ago and i had the pleasure of sitting in the shade with him. I had tons of questions regarding the record breaking streamliner, which another friend of mine has restored here in Indianapolis.
After just killing ourselfs trying to get 200 hp out of our Bonneville engine in our truck. I asked him how they figured this engine did 300 plus hp ???
He smiled and said, well this was just after the war and no-one was using nitro, using the overhead valve heads helped but 51% nitro was what got us the record!!!
I hadnt ever thought about the fuel issue.........

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Another view from Speedway Museum of this engine....

[51 MERC-CT]

Think I got it now

[TagMan]

May, 1955. Cover shot only, no article. Caption for the cover shot states:

"Often as not, the best horsepower is harnassed in the wee hours of the night preceeding the big event. While the engine pictured is not keyed to any of the coverage in this month's lineup, many will recognize it as a very capable unit. In the City of Burbank Streamliner, it became the first hot rod engine ever to break an official international record when the car posted a two-way average of 229 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Owned by C.T. Automotive, Sherman Oaks, California, this one-of-a-kind OHV conversion unit is based on a '46 Mercury block. Hard at work are Don Clark and Jim Khougaz."

5.55 Hot Rod Magazine Cover 001 by TagMan, on Flickr

[willowbilly3]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Think I got it now

So not an overhead cam engine at all, just an overhead valve and as such, The well know Ardun would also fit the descrition.
My eyes are tired, had to get a magnifying glass to see,lol.

[sidevalve8ba]

This may be the one you are speaking of. I saw it at the Speedway Museum a couple of years ago when I was there. The overhead cams are shaft driven.

[Gary-UK]

Robert Roof lists one in an old catalog I have, it was called the Chrome X I think. I've never found any other reference to it anywhere though.

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Think I got it now

This design is exactly how George Kudash designed the Ardun overhead valve conversion for the little Ford V-8 Sixty block. He designed the conversion many years prior around 1949 or 1950 when he was doing the design work for Zora when he worked at the Ardun Engine Company in New York City. Geroge told me personally those little cross push rods would easily fall out when over revving and from valve float. Still an interesting conversion that was way ahead of its time. Wonder what might have been if more were built and development continued.
Ronnieroadster

[Sanddoc]

So we have not hit on the the DOHC yet,,,
but don't forget guys that during WWII, the Ford GAA was a DOHC
HEMI head, 2 distributors. So Ford was not unfamiliar with the engine...
In 1938 Ford built a one off OHC on a Flathead
I'll dig this guys name out, before the day is over...
thanks for the interest and input..
Best

[edhd58]

Stupid question, but once it becomes and overhead valve engine, doesn't it cease to be a flathead???

[Sanddoc]

OK, I think I just used the last of my "little grey cells" but I found
the name of the guy who built a DOHC flathead

http://www.roadsters.com/flathead/#Davis

I don't know if I mentioned it but the Ardun heads
are being made by Ferguson in Wilmington Ca...
not far from me... I've been meaning to take a ride over there
and see his foundry\shop

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by edhd58

Stupid question, but once it becomes and overhead valve engine, doesn't it cease to be a flathead???

That's the way I always looked at it.