The Ford Barn

Shadetree · 10-12-2011, 10:19 AM

In 2007 my son and I were in Hershey. We were checking out the new sheet metal for the `32 Roadster and I heard an old familiar sound. I told my son that is a Ford Flathead V-8 without seeing it. Sure enough we walked around the tent and there was an Honest Charlie Motorcycle with a 60 HP engine revving up. Why does the Ford Flathead V-8 sound different than any other V-8? Is it the firing order? Is it the fact that the crankshaft is not centered with the cylinders? (I just read that last night) I haven’t a clue. What say you?

This is my son Buddy straddled one of Honest Charlie’s custom built bikes.

Shadetree

Vic Piano · 10-12-2011, 11:24 AM

Bud, that unique Flathead sound is just the way it was ment to be

. Nothing even comes close, it brings a smile to my face everytime I fire one up. Think I'll go out to the garage and start a couple now...

Vic

Ralph Moore · 10-12-2011, 11:33 AM

I believe it's from the siamesed exhaust ports. And what a wonderful sound it is. I can even tell when a flathead is being started, a very distinct sound.

FL&WVMIKE · 10-12-2011, 11:42 AM

SHADETREE ...................
I would have loved to see Buddy bring that back to W.Va., for his "around town" bike. He looks like a natural, sitting on the flathead.
MIKE

Kahuna · 10-12-2011, 02:05 PM

Ralph is correct. The siamesed center exhaust ports create the sound. If you install exhaust port dividers, as I have done, the "Flathead" sounds goes away. I first noticed this when i heard the famous Ken Kloth engine run. No flathead sound at all. Much more like a big block Ford or Chevy. Loud, very loud.

51 MERC-CT · 10-12-2011, 03:43 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I think it's got something to do with firing order.

ken ct · 10-12-2011, 04:26 PM

Hey bud,you got straight pipes on that sounds good,almost as good as mine.Mine does have them. Stock small pipe all the way back. lol ken ct.

Jack E/NJ · 10-12-2011, 04:52 PM

Straight pipes here too---1-1/4" cast iron black pipes. Plumbed all the way back with a few 22.5 elbows & unions at strategic locations, and plenty of never-seez on all the pipe threads. 8^)

Jack E/NJ

PeteVS · 10-12-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadetree

In 2007 my son and I were in Hershey. We were checking out the new sheet metal for the `32 Roadster and I heard an old familiar sound. I told my son that is a Ford Flathead V-8 without seeing it. Sure enough we walked around the tent and there was an Honest Charlie Motorcycle with a 60 HP engine revving up. Why does the Ford Flathead V-8 sound different than any other V-8? Is it the firing order? Is it the fact that the crankshaft is not centered with the cylinders? (I just read that last night) I haven’t a clue. What say you?

This is my son Buddy straddled one of Honest Charlie’s custom built bikes.

Was Honest Charlie at Hershey this year? In years past, they've been over by Brookville and I don't think I saw them this year.

Shadetree · 10-12-2011, 06:59 PM

Was Honest Charlie at Hershey this year? In years past, they've been over by Brookville and I don't think I saw them this year

Pete,
We didn't make it over to that area this time, not sure they were there.

Shadetree

Shadetree · 10-12-2011, 07:01 PM

Hey bud,you got straight pipes on that sounds good,almost as good as mine.Mine does have them. Stock small pipe all the way back. lol ken ct.

Ken,
Those are dual Smitty's with pennies in the heat risers. Love'em!

Bud

Mike in AZ · 10-12-2011, 07:01 PM

doesn't the Oldsmobile 303 have that siamesed middle exhaust port??....just curious, as i do love the sound of the flathead Ford.....Mike

Kahuna · 10-12-2011, 08:25 PM

Mike, I think the Olds just appears that way. As I recall, they are actually divided in the head.

Shadetree · 10-12-2011, 08:44 PM

Straight pipes here too---1-1/4" cast iron black pipes. Plumbed all the way back with a few 22.5 elbows & unions at strategic locations, and plenty of never-seez on all the pipe threads. 8^)

Jack,
I have never heard of this. Wow! Should last forever!

Shadetree

ken ct · 10-12-2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Straight pipes here too---1-1/4" cast iron black pipes. Plumbed all the way back with a few 22.5 elbows & unions at strategic locations, and plenty of never-seez on all the pipe threads. 8^)

Jack E/NJ

Id love to hear the sound of that one,way to go Jack. ken ct.

PeterC · 10-12-2011, 09:44 PM

Here is my fresh built 59A on test stand - I like the power and the sound - not detailed out yet for install - hope you have good speakers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSH459SijQs

Ralph Moore · 10-13-2011, 12:34 AM

Ahahahahahahaha... I LIKE IT!

Cecil/WV · 10-13-2011, 06:44 AM

Sounds good, but are you sure the hoses to the oil filter are big enough??? LOL

4tl8ford · 10-13-2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterC

Here is my fresh built 59A on test stand - I like the power and the sound - not detailed out yet for install - hope you have good speakers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSH459SijQs

Just played the clip - 7:59 AM - What a way to wake up
Thank you so very much

31chevy · 10-13-2011, 07:06 AM

Neato.

10-12-2011, 10:19 AM	#1
Shadetree Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cottageville, WV Posts: 1,535	That Unique Ford Flathead Sound In 2007 my son and I were in Hershey. We were checking out the new sheet metal for the `32 Roadster and I heard an old familiar sound. I told my son that is a Ford Flathead V-8 without seeing it. Sure enough we walked around the tent and there was an Honest Charlie Motorcycle with a 60 HP engine revving up. Why does the Ford Flathead V-8 sound different than any other V-8? Is it the firing order? Is it the fact that the crankshaft is not centered with the cylinders? (I just read that last night) I haven’t a clue. What say you? This is my son Buddy straddled one of Honest Charlie’s custom built bikes. Shadetree __________________ Son, you will never blow an engine up in high gear. Last edited by Shadetree; 10-14-2011 at 10:46 AM. Reason: Adding Sound Video

10-12-2011, 11:24 AM	#2
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Bud, that unique Flathead sound is just the way it was ment to be. Nothing even comes close, it brings a smile to my face everytime I fire one up. Think I'll go out to the garage and start a couple now... Vic __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

10-12-2011, 11:33 AM	#3
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound I believe it's from the siamesed exhaust ports. And what a wonderful sound it is. I can even tell when a flathead is being started, a very distinct sound.

10-12-2011, 11:42 AM	#4
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound SHADETREE ................... I would have loved to see Buddy bring that back to W.Va., for his "around town" bike. He looks like a natural, sitting on the flathead. MIKE

10-12-2011, 02:05 PM	#5
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Ralph is correct. The siamesed center exhaust ports create the sound. If you install exhaust port dividers, as I have done, the "Flathead" sounds goes away. I first noticed this when i heard the famous Ken Kloth engine run. No flathead sound at all. Much more like a big block Ford or Chevy. Loud, very loud.

10-12-2011, 03:43 PM	#6
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I think it's got something to do with firing order.

10-12-2011, 04:26 PM	#7
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Hey bud,you got straight pipes on that sounds good,almost as good as mine.Mine does have them. Stock small pipe all the way back. lol ken ct.

10-12-2011, 04:52 PM	#8
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Straight pipes here too---1-1/4" cast iron black pipes. Plumbed all the way back with a few 22.5 elbows & unions at strategic locations, and plenty of never-seez on all the pipe threads. 8^) Jack E/NJ

10-12-2011, 06:59 PM	#10
Shadetree Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cottageville, WV Posts: 1,535	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound *Was Honest Charlie at Hershey this year? In years past, they've been over by Brookville and I don't think I saw them this year* Pete, We didn't make it over to that area this time, not sure they were there. Shadetree __________________ Son, you will never blow an engine up in high gear.

10-12-2011, 07:01 PM	#11
Shadetree Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cottageville, WV Posts: 1,535	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Hey bud,you got straight pipes on that sounds good,almost as good as mine.Mine does have them. Stock small pipe all the way back. lol ken ct. Ken, Those are dual Smitty's with pennies in the heat risers. Love'em! Bud __________________ Son, you will never blow an engine up in high gear.

10-12-2011, 07:01 PM	#12
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound doesn't the Oldsmobile 303 have that siamesed middle exhaust port??....just curious, as i do love the sound of the flathead Ford.....Mike

10-12-2011, 08:25 PM	#13
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Mike, I think the Olds just appears that way. As I recall, they are actually divided in the head.

10-12-2011, 08:44 PM	#14
Shadetree Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cottageville, WV Posts: 1,535	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Straight pipes here too---1-1/4" cast iron black pipes. Plumbed all the way back with a few 22.5 elbows & unions at strategic locations, and plenty of never-seez on all the pipe threads. 8^) Jack, I have never heard of this. Wow! Should last forever! Shadetree __________________ Son, you will never blow an engine up in high gear.

10-12-2011, 09:44 PM	#16
PeterC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 855	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Here is my fresh built 59A on test stand - I like the power and the sound - not detailed out yet for install - hope you have good speakers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSH459SijQs

10-13-2011, 12:34 AM	#17
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Ahahahahahahaha... I LIKE IT!

10-13-2011, 06:44 AM	#18
Cecil/WV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gerrardstown, WV Posts: 2,266	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Sounds good, but are you sure the hoses to the oil filter are big enough??? LOL

10-13-2011, 07:06 AM	#20
31chevy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lake City Mi. Posts: 807	Re: That Unique Ford Flathead Sound Neato.