What Overhead is this?
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Topic author - Posts: 6895
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- First Name: Richard
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What Overhead is this?
I can't seem to find the make or model of this overhead setup. Most rockers are on shared shafts rather than separate standoffs.
Rich
I don't see a outlet to the radfiator either.
Curious.Rich
When did I do that?
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Re: What Overhead is this?
That’s interesting. It looks familiar but I can’t place where I’ve seen one before. It has subtle similarities to Rajo but it’s not. I believe the water outlet is in the center where the rag is stuffed, and a pipe/water manifold led to the radiator inlet. Hmmm
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Re: What Overhead is this?
Might be a HAL conversion without the rocker cover.
Frank
Frank
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Re: What Overhead is this?
The only HAL heads for a T that I know of are the earlier production “run in oil”, and the Akron-Hed. Definitely not either of these.
These same pics surfaced a while back… and as I recall did not get identified. I was just cruising the Speedway museum a couple days ago, and did not see anything with exhaust ports like this one. It’s a neat design, sure would like to see more of it!
These same pics surfaced a while back… and as I recall did not get identified. I was just cruising the Speedway museum a couple days ago, and did not see anything with exhaust ports like this one. It’s a neat design, sure would like to see more of it!
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Re: What Overhead is this?
It looks like the head is mounted backwards! The red arrow is pointing to what looks like the water outlet flange.
Tom
Tom
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Topic author - Posts: 6895
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Re: What Overhead is this?
Thanks, I will try to get some more pictures of it.
Rich
Rich
When did I do that?
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Re: What Overhead is this?
No, it can't really be on backwards; the cam is on the right, the rockers have to stay there, too.
"The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." -George Orwell
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Re: What Overhead is this?
There is quite a few oddball OHV heads out there, whose makers are lost to time. They are often not crude in their design, and very few were made, if not one-off. Another mystery.
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Topic author - Posts: 6895
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Re: What Overhead is this?
Thanks for the speculation. I am trying to decide if I need another project. It's in a car that doesn't attract me but might be worth it for the head and some of the parts. I need to go and see it. If not, I'll pass the information on in case someone else is interested.
Rich
Rich
When did I do that?
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Topic author - Posts: 6895
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Re: What Overhead is this?
I answered the question of "where does the water exit the head". It is in the top and center and was obscured by a rag in other photos.
Anyone else have any thoughts or information?
Or have I stumped the band?
Rich
I can see no markings or name to who made this head. It may be early with the somewhat crude rockers and standoffs. The push rod adjustments seem like an earlier idea too.Anyone else have any thoughts or information?
Or have I stumped the band?

Rich
When did I do that?
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Re: What Overhead is this?
Looks a lot like an early Liberty Head.., They were used on boats for the most part. Thats why there is a center return on the water outlet. Not very efficient for a car with a radiator since early boats used a forced scoop system.
Hank
Hank
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Re: What Overhead is this?
I thought the exhaust ports looked a lot like a Robert Roof head I saw a long time ago, but I wasn’t sure. Robert Roof also used the name Liberty , so that would be another name for the same thing. With the stock T water inlet location in the block and having the water outlet in the top of the head , it could be problematic in getting good cooling in the rear of the head if used in a car. In a boat engine that cooling would not be problematic because of the constant cold water intake and no radiator.
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Re: What Overhead is this?
I am sure it could be made to cool ok in a car with some sort of baffle and maybe a water pump.
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Re: What Overhead is this?
Roof liberty? I have one here, 3 port exhaust, front outlet, 2 port intake.Henry K. Lee wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 5:53 pmLooks a lot like an early Liberty Head.., They were used on boats for the most part. Thats why there is a center return on the water outlet. Not very efficient for a car with a radiator since early boats used a forced scoop system.
Hank
"Those who fail to plan, plan to fail"
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Topic author - Posts: 6895
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
- First Name: Richard
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Re: What Overhead is this?
FWIW, REO used similar rocker arm mounts with the yoke and threaded into the head for several years. Rollers on the rockers is interesting.
When did I do that?
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Re: What Overhead is this?
Yeah, I would put money on it being a marine accessory head. There’s many an obscure accessory head sold in catalogues back in the day, we tend to only recognize the major successful manufacturers though.
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Re: What Overhead is this?
Rockers appear to be on individual stands and separate, not shared.
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Re: What Overhead is this?
I’d like to add, this is the fascinating part of the hobby, when an unusual or long forgotten accessory shows up. It fun trying to identify a real head scratcher.
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Topic author - Posts: 6895
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Eagle
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- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Re: What Overhead is this?
Searching for the odd stuff is fun. I often get sidetracked on other odd stuff I wouldn't see otherwise. This head is fascinating.
I hope we find out what it is.
Rich
I hope we find out what it is.
Rich
When did I do that?