Thanks Doug, that gives me a little more insight.
John Beckett
-----Original Message-----
From: ARDUNDOUG@aol.com <ARDUNDOUG@aol.com>
To: landspeedracer@email.msn.com <landspeedracer@email.msn.com>;
land-speed@autox.team.net <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Date: Monday, November 22, 1999 1:38 PM
Subject: Re: Flatheads
>In a message dated 11/22/1999 9:50:51 AM Pacific Standard Time,
>landspeedracer@email.msn.com writes:
>
><<
> OK, so I'm not a flathead fanatic, but I can appreciate the time an effort
> that those of you that are put into these things.
>
> My two questions are: Why wouldn't a new design 5 main bearing cast block
be
> of interesting to the flathead aficionados?
>
>########## John,
> The V4 (Vintage 4-cyl) guys were asked to approve or reject the Donovan
>aftermarket "banger" engine for SCTA competition and voted against it, the
>reasoning being that "we made our records using original-type parts, let
the
>next generation do the same".
> True, many of the current records were (are) set with original blocks
>converted to 5-main type Hercules and SCAT cranks, a herculean(sp) job in
>itself. But, that's the way the racers voted.
> Having some inkling of what a pattern-making and casting nightmare the
>Flatty V8 was for Henry Ford and his production man Charles (Cast-Iron)
>Sorensen in the early 30's, I seriously doubt that anyonr would attempt the
>job today based on potential sales.
> I personally feel that the 3-main Flatty block has adequate bottom-end
>strength if it's augmented with a billet crank, center-main girdle, and
steel
>caps. True, I happen to manufacture and sell the girdle and caps.
> If someone were to produce a 5-main Flatty block, it would give
tomorrows
>competitors in the class a huge advantage over what those in the past hasd
to
>work with.......................Ardun Doug in CA ###################
>
> And why did Donovan cast an up graded version of the model B, 4 cylinder
> block instead of the venerable flathead V-8?
>
> John from Asheville, NC
>
> >>
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