This is the ported block on my engine I guess it's not a common practice
It's also stamped Sherman on the block next to freeze plug
Maybe it's some of Joe's work. Send him an email and ask if he ever did a Model T block.
http://www.joeshermanracing.com/
Ken,
Would he be the Sherman who designed the Sherman SuperFire head? I've seen porting similar to the photo above on a couple of T blocks, one used a Sherman head, Winfield carb and A crank and ran really strong.
I never would have thought of doing that. I'd be afraid I'd find something unwanted, like a water jacket. Besides, it would require a homemade intake manifold. On an engine that I am installing a four valve Rajo head on, I am opening up the intake ports to the gland recess size and installing Milodon swirl polished stainless steel 351W valves.
I haven't seen very many. However the gray race car I used to have, had a block cut out similar to that. It was a September 1927 replacement block that appeared to have very few miles on it. The modifications appeared to be original era. It ran GREAT! I passed Ts with over-head valves going up hills. With its shortened chassis, it took hills and turns better than any other T speedster I ever drove. It also was the only car, that in my life, I "spun a donut" with.
I wish I still had it.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
I have a full length A crank engine in my 23 rdster, and a short block A shortened crank in it that came out of the 23 for repair, both of them have the intakes opended up run 351 Ford SS vales, run like hell just can't stop it, my rdster has motorcycle brakes disc on rear, lost them 2 times so I've parked it till I can get help and put on Texas T disc on rear.
Walt - I wouldn't know if he's the same person.
The thing about opening up the port is you also have to open up the valve or it does no good. It would be interesting to see the valves on that engine.
Terry,
Did you mean the exhaust ports in the block? Four valve Rajo intakes are already quite large. 351W valves are a good choice for replacement T valves. We have used them to save many T blocks without replacing the seats. I ran a four valve Rajo in a 26 Tudor. We used the high compression pistons which made quite an improvement. It moved that heavy sedan pretty well. I had problems with keeping the rocker stands secure. The bolts that hold them down are at right angles to the rocker shafts. This causes them to flex back and forth when the valves are pushed open. You can actually see it happen if you watch closely with the engine running. I solved the problem by replacing the two individual shafts with a single one passing through both rocker stands. This stabilizes both stands and keeps them from coming loose. I would suggest to anyone with one of these heads to consider it, especially with a high lift cam or stiff valve springs. The only drawback is that you have to slot the double valve covers if you have them. Small price to pay to keep from breaking your head casting.
Fordially, Erik
About 25 years ago Bill Rader was selling these manifold castings.
It runs a model b exhaust and this manifold
I have two of Bill Raders intakes, one on my 23 rdster and one for the original engine, Bill used to have available lots of goodies.