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Old 07-06-2016, 01:25 PM   #21
sortkaffekop
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Default Re: flathead speed

120 km/h - 75 mph and a picture to proove it! Mind you - this is a 70hp 60 flathead
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Old 07-06-2016, 02:04 PM   #22
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Default Re: flathead speed

Guys just remember " the older we get the faster we was!!!"............My first car was a free 50 Plymouth ran out of steam at 130 plus....... Ok maybe that was 1300 rpm with my new JC Whittney tachometer..............
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Old 07-06-2016, 03:28 PM   #23
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Default Re: flathead speed

I've only had my AV8 up to 70, roads here are not the best, and my bias ply tires are not even balanced( because they are on wide five rims). All the tire shops just scratch their heads.
Jim,
Where did you find a straight away in the valley to go that fast?
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Old 07-06-2016, 05:29 PM   #24
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Default Re: flathead speed

Ron,
Kloths engine was all about airflow, and this, as you know makes horse power. The higher rpm the torque peak can moved up, the greater the horse power. This requires good air flow.

Some details of Kens Merc. For those that don't know.
full body, interior, bumpers etc. 143.3 mph on the salt. Shifts gear at 6000 rpm, goes through the back door at 5600 rpm.
Obviously lots of trick parts, roller cam with big journals, home made roller lifters, 600 cfm Holley, much modified offy heads and intake, 180 degree headers. 4" stroke 3.257 bore, 267 ci. That's just 0.070" over stock.
He didn't need a massive bore an stroke. It's all about the ability to breath.
Martin.
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Old 07-06-2016, 05:50 PM   #25
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Default Re: flathead speed

I got Dads 1953 Ford station wagon over 100 mph, on the speedometer. 8BA, 3 speed.
I was 17 and on my way home- alone- from a flight lesson in a J3 piper.
The plane wouldn't go that fast.

Never did tell dear old Dad about that.

Karl
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Old 07-06-2016, 07:12 PM   #26
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Geez I love you guys. I wondered about my ole 226G. Now i don't have to worry, I'll be to scared to do much over 80. I say this with a great big grin on my face. I love to hear these stories.
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Old 07-06-2016, 07:27 PM   #27
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Default Re: flathead speed

My Blown 276 flatie in my 34 three window did a easy 100 miles a hour down the straight at Charlotte Motor Speedway . It had more left but the coupe was getting a little light in the front end. I gave up before the engine. What a thrill !!
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Old 07-06-2016, 08:15 PM   #28
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Smile Re: flathead speed

I did 100 mph in this car when I was 16 ,54 years ago and I currently bring it up to at least 80mph every year now with no problem.
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Old 07-06-2016, 08:46 PM   #29
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Default Re: flathead speed

Ralph, it was on the flats between the kink river bridge and where the parks/ glenn hwy interchange is now. long, straight and flat for about 2 miles. I was already at 65 when I came out of the curve across the last bridge onto the flats heading north.
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Old 07-06-2016, 08:53 PM   #30
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Default Re: flathead speed

Well I don't have any good stories of speed in a stock bodied car. Maybe I'm not that brave.

But I do like to see what the flathead will do in my bellytank. Video was from the Ohio Mile last fall. They will breathe and rev ok naturally aspirated, just takes a lot of time, custom parts and $$$, to still not make a lot of horsepower. But it's loads of fun. Wish I had video from a few weeks earlier at Loring Maine when we were pushing just a little harder. Decided to back off a little when the tach peak memory was pushing 6800.

This engine has proven to like to pull to 5200 in high gear at Bonneville, Ohio, and Maine.

Andy


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Old 07-06-2016, 09:06 PM   #31
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Default Re: flathead speed

Just did a bit of calculating with measurements--My 34 Fordor with 235/75/15 rears and 4.11 gears would have to turn 4800 rpm to make 100mph--I doubt if Clyde Barrow could have sucked that much air with the LAW on his tail!!!
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Old 07-06-2016, 11:13 PM   #32
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Default Re: flathead speed

Only way to drive a flathead is WIDE OPEN. LOL
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Old 07-06-2016, 11:44 PM   #33
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Default Re: flathead speed

Quote:
Originally Posted by awelker View Post
Well I don't have any good stories of speed in a stock bodied car. Maybe I'm not that brave.

But I do like to see what the flathead will do in my bellytank. Video was from the Ohio Mile last fall. They will breathe and rev ok naturally aspirated, just takes a lot of time, custom parts and $$$, to still not make a lot of horsepower. But it's loads of fun. Wish I had video from a few weeks earlier at Loring Maine when we were pushing just a little harder. Decided to back off a little when the tach peak memory was pushing 6800.

This engine has proven to like to pull to 5200 in high gear at Bonneville, Ohio, and Maine.

Andy








https://youtu.be/h5ta6dBwObA
===============================================




Andy, thanks for sharing your video, that was a fun ride-along.








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Old 07-07-2016, 12:02 AM   #34
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Default Re: flathead speed

From an old dog eared Floyd Clymer publication , written by Roger Huntington in '51 called How to hop up Ford and MercuryV8 engines. This is the last paragraph on the last page...

A man is a man who will fight with a sword,

Or tackle Mt. Everest in snow.

But the bravest of all owns a '34 ford,

Who will try for six thousand in Low.
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:44 AM   #35
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Default Re: flathead speed

Maybe using that cold Alaskan air helps with the volumetric efficiency?
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:57 AM   #36
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Default Re: flathead speed

Bluebell, my brother used to do a lot of drag racing, and he always commented on how we have such "good" air up here. I am sure that the cool evening air did not hurt, but can't say that it helped either lol.
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Old 07-07-2016, 09:54 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alaska Jim View Post
Bluebell, my brother used to do a lot of drag racing, and he always commented on how we have such "good" air up here. I am sure that the cool evening air did not hurt, but can't say that it helped either lol.
Jim, You're correct about the "good air", but unfortunately the coolness up here doesn't always leave enough heat in the pavement for the best traction. Bill

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Old 07-08-2016, 05:58 AM   #38
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Default Re: flathead speed

Got to 100 on a long long slightly downhill stretch with a 59 a with offy heads twins carbs and dual exhaust and 3.78 rear. Stable ride at 60 very scary at 100 so I never did it again (in the roadster) and besides that nowadays here in Australia get caught doing that speed and they want to take your car off you
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Old 07-08-2016, 02:52 PM   #39
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Dan, not sure I would do it in my 30 coupe. it is Y- block powered, and I am sure the car is capable of matching and surpassing My '51 Merc., but I run bias tires on it and the roads up here are not to friendly to bias ply tires, they seem to grab every rut. it is manageable at reasonable speeds, but I have only had the coupe up to 85 for a short distance . the car is still new with only about 600 miles on it, and still sorting things out. I may get braver later on, but I am 65 now and am not to anxious to meet my maker just yet. lol.
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Old 07-08-2016, 10:38 PM   #40
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Hit 85+ in the roadster while on my way to the Roadster show. There was more there but would probably have taken a few more miles to achieve its max!
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