if it is a custom made block, what is it that makes it a chevrolet other than the bow tie on the rocker cover? I mean, is it the same ardun heads used on a ford?
I’d bet the heads and blower manifold came from the Leo Lyons patterns, at some point Don Ferguson wound up with that stuff. Lyons had three different valve cover designs, not just the one seen on Isky’s dyno, it would be easy to add the ARDUN and bow tie logos. There is a member here that has (had?) a hemi SBC that Lyons ran in his ski boat.
I don’t know if it’s a “poser” but I don’t see any spark plug wires around the headers, only on top. Regardless, from the pics we have, fine looking ride.
It is beautiful. The valve covers are much more rounded on the corners,,,,,,reminds me of the Arias Hemi setup as well . The injection hat has been converted to electronic,,,,,left side plugged off . That is a really beautiful looking machine. It needs some major coverage in a magazine,,,,,gorgeous ! Tommy
Don Ferguson started this project back in 2003/04. My brother designed the rocker arm assembly at Boeing when they were in Long Beach . He told me Ferguson had a waiting list of people who wanted ARDUN heads for SBC.... Yea, I don't get it either. Anyways, it was a good trade off for my brother as we all know Don Ferguson has buildings full of rare hot rod stuff. @J.Ukrop
The post by @HellsHotRods beat me to the punch while I was editing photos I took from magazine articles of an Ardun head compared to a Leo Lyons SBC head. I still think Ferguson started with the Lyons patterns. The Ardun head has exhaust manifold bolts inline, while the Lyons bolts are angled. If you look close you can see angled bolts on the engine in the coupe.
I once saw a pseudo Ardun set-up on a Chev engine. I had to really look hard and long to realize it was bogus. The owner never claimed it was an Ardun he just let others imagination do it for them...
That shot is from March of 1961 and an image of a Hemi-headed small-block Chevy on Isky's dyno for a bit of tuning. It made 638 hp with a 301ci small-block, a 6-71 blower, an Isky cam, a Vertex mag, and a two-port Hilborn injector on alcohol. https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/0510sc-principles/ Leo Lyons SBC Donovan small-block Chevy 350 aluminum block • 4-bolt mains with No. 0015 cam bearings installed • One pair of small-block Chevy Hemi aluminum heads complete with valve train components (A-356 Prime at T-6 with heat treat) • Donavan intake and exhaust valves, one pair of copper head gaskets • One complete set (10) of Arias forged racing pistons 4.00 with wristpins and buttons • One set of Speed Pro rings 4.00 • One set of Carillo Rods with de-burred corners on the caps for bolt clearance (and shot peened caps) • One No. 4340 Billet steel crankshaft (Moldex) with a 3.625-in. stroke and knife-cut edges • Iskendarian camshaft with reverse-rotation distributor and cam gears • One complete set of Iskendarian roller tappets • A set of 4130 steel push rods (heat treated, and hard chromed) • Mackay water pump • Two aluminum water outlets • Aviad dry sump pump and drive, a Harrison oil cooler • Aviad Metal Products custom dry sump oil pan • Complete set matching pulleys • Timing chain cover • Complete set of head bolts • Valve covers with gaskets • One pair of top-mounted Offenhauser breathers • Eight high-performance spark plug wires and eight aluminum spark plug carriers aluminum • One set of plastic spark plug insulator tubes • Aluminum valley cover plate • Enderle fuel injection intake and one Leo Lyons carburetor intake This was on E-Bay for $30K
I never thought it could be possible, an engine having more bolts then the Dodge Hemi but there it is...
Joey, thanks for bring that engine to our attention. Regardless where it may have begun, it is nice to see it completed. Many thanks to the builder.
tsk tsk, Joey....nice coverage but you'll have to surrender your magazine interview card for 30 days for not getting the owner's name. I'm one of the guys who had no idea there were Ardun heads for 6 cylinder chevys!
When you play with the original photo a bit you can see some of the details. I'm not figuring out what they used for water pumps though
There is a conventional SBC v-belt driven water pump, looks like it might be polished aluminum. The original Lyons hemi heads had water ports and the r & l heads are using a water crossover and the thermostat housing is seen in the photo.
Just call H&H, they should have the hook-up,,, bring the wheel barrow of green backs. There is a set-up like this running land speed now.
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