Keith,
The Ardun was NEVER a factory Ford conversion. The Arkus-Duntov Bros
(Zora and Yuri) were engineering subcontractors for Ford after WWII when
Zora, a long- time fan of hemi engines like those used in early Talbot(sp)
engines, hatched the idea of an OHV conversion for the trusty 24 stud 1938
and later Ford Flathead V8.
Being with FoMoCo had brought the problem of Ford passenger car block
cracking, annoying in passenger cars but of epidemic proportions in trucks,
to the Brothers Arkun-Duntov's attention.
The brothers engineering firm name was Ardun, taken from the fitst
parts of their hyphenated last name (ARkus-DUNtov").
Sometime after WWII Zora designed a hemi combustion chamber OHV
conversion for the Flathead, intended for trucks and marine applications, and
the Bros. produced between 250 & 350 units.
About the time the Ardun conversions went on the market, Ford
replaced their troublesome F-7 & F-8 passenger car engine equipped truck
engines with the new 337 ci Lincoln Flathead V8, eliminating a large part of
the conversion market.
About that time, Sydney Allard, who had been equipping his Allard
Sports Car with Flathead Fords, started installing Ardun conversions on his
British product.
When Allard switched to the Boss Kettering OHV used in the 1949 and
later Cad & Olds V8's, the Arkus-Duntov Bros. best market evaporated and they
sold the business to Stephens Motor Co. in New York.
Rumor has it that when the MoPar engineers designed the first
Chrysler (331) Hemi V8 they had a Kettering Cad V8 block and a set of Ardun
heads lying on the drafting table, hence, the similarity between the Ardun
and early Chrysler Hemi heads.
Anybody who wants a 3000 word brief history of the Ardun can send a
SASE to: Doug King Enterprises, 25385 Palomares Rd., Castro Valley, CA 94552,
and I will send you a copy of the article appearing this Fall in the Early
Ford V8 Club Times magazine.
If you're really interested, for $13.00 (postage included) I sell a
70 page booklet of all that was available on the Ardun from the 1950's thru
the 1970's including a color Allard brochure.
Please pardon the commercial. I get a little wordy where the Ardun is
concerned.
Ardun
Doug King
|