Flathead Bug

flashy_62 · Post by **flashy_62** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 7:14 pm

I'm looking for someone or someplace that could make a set of flathead cylinders and heads for an aircooled type 1, wondered if anyone knew of a place.

yetibone · Post by **yetibone** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 4:42 am

Sorry I don't know of any.

I'm curious of what your building. Is it a 2-stroke T-I?

Joe

MASSIVE TYPE IV · Post by **MASSIVE TYPE IV** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 8:36 am

Hmmn, closest thing is an old OMC engine.... Sounds like a wild project.

flashy_62 · Post by **flashy_62** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:16 am

When I was at school I originally got the idea to try to make a two stroke out of a type one, and still might, but I decided to try to make a flathead instead, kinda' go for a '32 roadster feel (primer black, BRM's, shifter at about eye level...all that good stuff). Also I figured that a flathead ford sounds cool on its own so a type one flathead should sound CRAZY!

Jake, what's an OMC engine?

Stroker 40 horse · Post by **Stroker 40 horse** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:31 am

Outboard Marine Corporation

69NoH20 · Post by **69NoH20** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:08 pm

Do you know how a flat head works? Im not sure it is even possible.

MASSIVE TYPE IV · Post by **MASSIVE TYPE IV** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:10 pm

A flat head is also called an "L" head... Like an old ford, or a briggs and stratton 5 Horse.

flashy_62 · Post by **flashy_62** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:40 pm

I've made some drawings based off a cutaway of a flathead I found on the internet and I think it would be posible but the cylinders and heads would have to be special made, that's where the problem comes in. I also realize that a flathead is not one of the most efficient engines in the world and probably won't produce that much power but I still think it will be totally cool if I ever get to build it.

MASSIVE TYPE IV · Post by **MASSIVE TYPE IV** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:45 pm

They are torque monsters....

flashy_62 · Post by **flashy_62** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:55 pm

I figured the power would be lacking because of the lack of breathability.

ANT · Post by **ANT** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:54 pm

After the war Detroit was fiddling with developing high compression engines as the oil companies were promising new super high octane fuels and the car makers wanted to be able to take advantage of this.

It was soon discovered there was a practical limit as to how high a CR that a flathead would tolerate, and it was determined that OHV would be the best way to go.

Talk to any old timer and they'll tell you about relieving the block (sort of porting the passages between the valves and the cylinders (the trough-like pathway).

These engines require the gasses to make a torturous path which alone restricts the power potential. Don't get me wrong, you can make plenty of power with engines with heads other than OHV, and I applaud the thinking and major effort that such a conversion takes.....just be realistic in the possible results.....and if you're just after the WOW factor then that's good enough!
-ANT

kit · Post by **kit** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 3:01 am

Try havibg a look at the HarleyDavidson Sporster (KR) range. the early models were flat heads.
kit

Stroker 40 horse · Post by **Stroker 40 horse** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 1:36 am

flashy_62 wrote:I've made some drawings based off a cutaway of a flathead I found on the internet and I think it would be posible but the cylinders and heads would have to be special made, that's where the problem comes in.

You shouldn't need to have special made cylinders.
Add a supercharger to make up for the restrictions; willl make it just that more special...