Aluminum Flathead engine?

I just got around to reading my Street Rodder magazine and again noticed an ad from Shadow Rods with that Aluminum Flathead engine. Anyone know of any updates? What's the deal with that thing?
Jim

 

Search - been done to death...

 

Just a little interesting aluminum history. Here's one of Henry's from the early 1940's.. One of 17 made. Used in airplanes. One or two are still in existence. There was a write up in TRJ a while ago.

 

If it hasn't happened by now it never will. From what I understand from the various posts on this issue there are some serious design faults in the block, this being so the project will never be completed, so it's back to the drawing board and start over again.

 

The only aluminum flathead block commercially available that I know of at this time is the block made by Don Ferguson for his Ardun heads.

 

dknlsdknvsl

 

Why not let us all see?

 

Go to LARS on Father's day, they always have one there that runs and they will be more than happy to fire it up for you. Just cause GOD created the Heavens and the Earth in 6 days doesn't mean you can build an aluminum flathead that fast.

 

I was at Shadowrods a couple of weeks ago and watched a block being machined on a cnc machining center. Also on display was a whole variety of new flathead pieces that will eventually find their way into the production engines. As to this thing being a long time to reach fruition, I agree. It's just that you have to understand the mindset of Jon Hall (the owner of Shadowrods) and Mark Kirby. Jon is a perfectionist and he would rather you be mad at him for being slow than having you buy a product with a flaw and badmouthing him and his business over something that's beyond his control (stupid use of a product). To insure that this possibility is minimized he takes his time and does it right. There are people that spend every hour of every day working on solutions to bring this product to market so rest assured when you are able to buy one it will be the best he can do. BTW, this kind of develpement doesn't cost a $1.98.
If you ever have the chance, go on a tour of his manufacturing facility. It's a muti-million dollar deal that has clients all over the world and was started in a 2 car garage. I'm sure he would be the first to tell you that if you can do better than he can...........go for it.
I do wish that the announcement of this engine would not have been made when it was (rather after it was ready for sale) but you may have heard the old saying "The best laid plans of mice and men..................."
Also, if you haven't seen his XL27 roadster body in person be sure to look one over if you get the chance. It's incorporates a lot of inovative ideas that make it the best body, quality wise, on the market. It is best to have a knowledgeable person to show you the details or you could miss some of them. You might think I have a vested interest by my post but you'd be wrong. Having had a small manufacturing business for years I just see things that a "civilian" wouldn't have a clue about.

Frank

 

Goosetta, Thanks for taking the time to both respond and explain. I'm probably not one to ever be able to afford one of those blocks, but I can dream.
Jim

 

Gooseta2,

Thanks for all the information. This is great news. It sounds like they're taking the time they they need to produce a quality product.

 

Not bashing John or Mark. Read my post again. It is on the money.

 

Not meant as criticism more in awe...That will be a motor you can build a car around! If a guy has the money and researches the sources like Shadowrods,Orozco,Ferguson and others he can build a traditional car that will stand above the rest. Please just no candy apple, suede or Vega! Gotta admit it'd sure be tempting to polish the block!

 

Not bashing krylon32, but the Ferguson block isn't a flathead, and wasn't designed to be, so the only aftermarket flathead block that might be available soon is from Mark and John.
Bob

 

The aluminum block would be sweet, but for the reality of most a new cast iron block like gooseta talks about would be sweet. God only knows how many $100 boat anchors I have gone through to find a 60 year old block that wasn't cracked or over machined

 

Goosta2 and Frank:
Thanks for posting your personal knowledge here, makes sense....and sure beats some of the rumors around this project

 

If the blocks are not ready then you should update your websites to reflect that.... this is what the problem is, your websites are misleading... you should put up in big bold lettering on your website that the blocks will never be ready, or,,,, put a date up when they will be. Saying your doing this and that for the last 4 years is BS. fix your websites and keep people up to date honestly. Some of us have the money right now and are ready to purchase right now!, but then we spends at least an hour searching on the web, we find you guys with your new blocks,,,,then have to navigate through all your Sites BS to try and find a shopping cart where we can clisk and buy the damn thing..... then realize after spending hours searching throgh your sites that its not available anyways..... and you wonder why we are all pissed.

 

A side topic...I noted that there is now a '34 5W associated with you outfit. Is that by any chance Don FlatdogJackowski's old car? I know he was a friend of Mark Kirby, and had examined a sample block here before his death.

 

Any updates on this block?

 

ssdvvefe

 

^^Wow, arent you quite the p.r. guy!

If you have all that money into it, Id be kissing the general publics arses to regain some of my capital!

 

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It sounded like a straight forward and Fair Question to me???





Seriously, I would like to see these hit the streets and will watch with interest as they are scrutinized by the media/magazines.



.

 

I think I'll try that approach on the parts counter tomorrow......"Fuck you, asswipe. Can I help you?".

 

Geez, some of you folks bitch and moan about anything and everything. Give the guys a break, they're working to better our industry and all you can do is bitch. Sheesh... no wonder some of the oldtime Hambers dont come here no more.

 

I am SO interested in when these will be available. I'd love to retrofit my 36 Ford coupe back from it's current 302 to a flathead.

I went to the Shadow Rods web site but I don't see any info there specific to the new engine.

 

123

 

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send .

 

You have no clue who I am...nor does it matter...

Youre right, I would NEVER buy a product from you, even if that product does ever exist, merely on principle.

So, once again, you are one hell of a pitch man...

 

Two years I asked... And again, I ask, how bout these new blocks?, hell, now it's just the principle of the whole thing. I have inquired directly a few months back with an email to Shadow Rods asking them where they were at with the new blocks. I was told that they would be out soon, there just finishing up final touches?, . just tell that you are never ever ever ever ever ever going to have any new block designed, for sale, for imagination, of any fairy tell flathead blocks ever. That they are a legend in your own minds. And cows fly... Bla Bla!