Off Topic - But It's a Flathead LOL

[Bored&Stroked]

Some of you know that I've been into Land Speed Racing and Bonneville for the last decade or so. I managed to get suckered into building a flathead Cadillac engine. When Buddy called me to solicit help I said "I know what one looks like (with the goofy exhaust coming out of the top), but I've never seen anybody actually build one for Bonneville?". He said "Well, no record has even been achieved with a flathead Cadillac, but I think there is potential". I then asked "Well, have you done your homework to see what horsepower you need to have a chance to set a record in your class?". Buddy then said "I figure we need at least 500 HP . . . can you get me that?". I said "Hell if I know, have never even looked at the guts of one of these beasts . . . can you send me one?".

I figured that would be the last I'd hear from him . . . nope . . . about 2 weeks later one shows up on a palette at Fowler's Engines in Columbus. Jeff Fowler and I start looking at it . . . pondering the ports, chambers, etc.. I ask Jeff "Do you think we can make 500 HP out of this hunk?". Jeff says "If we can get enough air and boost into it, I think so!". So that is how this whole crusade started.

I won't go into the details here (as this is a Ford Flathead site), but as most of us love flatheads in general, thought I'd post this.

I'm resurrecting the engine (after 5 years in slumber after a fire at El Mirage). I just got through redoing the port work (have 250+ hours in that effort) - it is looking good.

We made 650 HP on blown alcohol and it will be ready to make that again (Good Lord willing and the creek doesn't rise).

Checkout the work in progress and block/ports on this beast . . . you can see how the now huge ports and valves can flow . . . and flow is horsepower:

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[21stud]

What a beast... I see lot more power potential than Ford V8! Must be hundreds of work, very nice!

Would you share how much pop-up there is?

[tubman]

That's almost too purty to put back together!

[cas3]

Good story, keep it going

[petehoovie]

3 piece block???

[Pete]

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You need to go back to the drawing board.
You have the potential because of the cubic inches and better BASIC port design but the current port, chamber and piston design is not going to get maximum hp per cubic inch.

I had a lot of fun being the first driver in that car.
A REALLY good crew.

[A bones]

Originally Posted by tubman

That's almost too purty to put back together!

Coupe De B-ville
Thanks for the look - see.
You go man

[flathead48]

A true artist, thanks for sharing

[nickthebandit]

Keep up the innovation.

[KiWinUS]

Bloody fantastic Dale. Keep up the great work. Love it. Cheers.

[mfirth]

Interesting 4 sure. What about the big Lincoln flathead.....??? Any potential there ?

[Ol' Ron]

Boy, thats really nice thinking out of the box. Yes air makes horsepower no mater what its in.. Good work, I'm impressed .
Gramps

[GB SISSON]

I am enjoying this thread! Here's one for sale in Silver Creek Wa. Looks clean and fairly complete, well no carb or ignition.... 300.00 and looks like this one anyway is a one piece block, and a beast for sure! I ran across it a couple days ago searching 'flathead'. I'd love to see a set of headers on this, right up in your face and no clearance issues at the steering box. Besides, who doesn't like exhaust ports that don't pre-heat your cooling water?

[email protected] rg

[Bored&Stroked]

Every part in the engine (other than the block) is a one-off custom part. I design the stuff in SolidWorks and then they're made via CNC machines. One challenge was how to handle the horsepower on a 3-main bearing engine? The FlatCAD has a "skirted" block, so this gave me the idea to make a big steel girdle for it, steel main caps, dowels, etc.. I also changed the main bearing diameter to big-block chevy and moved the thrust to the rear.

Here are a couple more pics - as I'm in the middle of the assembly/build process. If you guys want, I'll continue to post:

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[KiWinUS]

I want more. More. More. Please Dale.

[Ronnieroadster]

Hi Dale its great knowing the flatcad will run again. Having had the pleasure of doing some flathead Caddy work a while back I will say my back hurts just looking at another one It scares me seeing that wide open space between the valley and crankcase thankfully your steel girdle design is what's keeping all that horsepower going to the transmission.
Considering the cubic inches for the Caddy the power output per cube is similar to what a Ford flathead block can achieve when blown on allky as well. Looking forward to seeing you Dale in August.
Ronnieroadster