Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

I think everyone is all wrong. There is only one clear answer here and that is a 6.2 SOHC Raptor engine from an F truck. It is in every way except total displacement a modern day Ford Cammer engine. If drag racers had this engine in the 60’s it would have done every bit as well as the early hemis an...

I believe the Motor City Flathead aluminum block was cast without cylinders and special cylinder sleeves were installed that had threads at the bottom and possibly the top as well. The threads were timed together top and bottom if I’m not mistaken. Much more straightforward if you’re casting a block...

I wonder if anyone has ever tried threading the bottom of the sleeve then brazed the top via induction brazing?

I’ll throw this question up again. I wonder if having the major dimension of the intake port parallel with the valve seat has any advantage over a conventional upright port ? I realize the lower port is probably at a disadvantage but does anyone think turning ports over like the Y blocks makes up fo...

I’d like to know more about that Jack. Are you saying you bored the cylinders completely out of the block? I can certainly understand how things could get wonky because the cylinders really are the main structure in those blocks. My goal really is to just make this engine useful. It’s an 8BA block s...

Thanks guys this give me an idea on where to start with my big bore engine.

Gotcha thanks. I guess that kills the idea of melting the dozens of used pistons I have laying on my shelves.

Back in the 70’s I heard of people using Devcon. Is that something to think about?

Maybe mix the epoxy with cast iron powder?

Hey guys just a thought experiment at this point. I have a couple Ford Flathead blocks that are not going to be practical street engines. One has a significant void in the exhaust port and the other has been bored a full .250” with a full relief in the decks. It has one cylinder sleeve. I’m thinking...

It may be interesting to consider that the Ford/Cosworth DFV blocks and cylinder heads were cast inside Ford’s Dagenham engine plant. Ford has in my opinion always been at or near the forefront of casting technology. The whole “thin wall” casting process which was based on pre-heated core boxes, was...

By the way the pistons made for an Ardun may fit the bill. I’ll bet you can get them in 3 3/8” + .030”

My first call would be to Egge pistons. They make their own and may be able to make a custom set for you.

One of the many advantages of the 8.2” deck Ford V8’s is the compact and ridged valve train.

That being said I think the “rev kit” was employed to minimize pushrod and rocker arm deflection thereby maintaining full valve lift and eliminating lifter bounce and other evil vibrations.

Okay here is a recent discovery detailing Ford’s Indy V8 development. This is a fascinating SAE paper with lots of surprising information especially considering this was taking place in 1962 & 63. I’d like to specifically draw your attention to the cylinder head testing that was being conducted....

It’s not all that important who I am. My real name is Michael Thompson for the record. I’m curious if you guys have any thoughts on the matter of improving the pinch point on the Flathead Ford. If the valves were at a 45 or greater to the cylinder centerline a side valve engine could have breathing ...

BA74CEFA-ABAB-47AD-8D58-C65869979CA1.jpeg I don’t remember if I asked this here yet I'm very curious to know if anyone has information of the very early Indy V8 engine development? Generally speaking the program went from a sort of a conventional 260 style cylinder head to one that substituted the ...