MTFCA Forum

What are the differences among the Ralph Reeder aluminum high compression low heads? I've seen the compression ratios for this head described as both 6:1 and also 8:1? There are apparently also physical differences, where a current photo shown on the Classifieds bares no Ford script, and does not show an embossed "R" located on the outlet boss. Mine has the script and the embossed "R". Thx.

Scott-
I am running two high compression low Reeder heads. One on my 1915, one on my 1911. They look like stock Ford heads with script. REEDER is cast into the inside on the water outlet. The combustion chamber is relatively flat, unlike the V shape combustion chamber of the Z head. (I run one of those, too!) I'll post some pics on Monday.

: ^ )

Keith

Mine has the Ford script between "Made in USA". Candy told me at the time that Ralph was in negotiation with Ford over a licensing fee which was being demanded, this after the head was already in production. The part.cost was going to rise appreciably because of the script, so was likely.to be removed. I dont recall mine having the "09-19" cast application date either. Is that feature a requirement for licensed Ford repro parts...a repro white floor mat I have also bares "09-14" nomenclature. Thx.

Scott – here are some pics of a Reeder low head I purchased at a swap meet recently. The seller had bead blasted the head and unfortunately sprayed it with gloss black paint, which made photographing a little trickier. Pictured are the head and close-ups of the various numbers. Don’t know if this is any of the information you’re looking for. I photo anything else you might want if that will help. Rich C.

Many thanks Rich and Keith. Mine is very close if not identical in appearance to Rich's. A distunguishing feature is the clarity of the cast script. Notice this feature did not pull clean from the cast for whatever reason. No idea what performance is owing to this head since my 1912 engine also runs a Winfield cam, enlarged diameter intake, and NH Holley carb. The motor was built for the 12 Towncar that os on display at tje MTFCA Museum. It was clocked using a GPS, where I backed out of it when we hit 50mph...there was more. That's an especially heavy car that got to that speed rapidly.

Here is the Reeder head on my 1915.
Here is the Reeder head on the 1911.
At the water outlet on both of them is the number 4.

A little late on this thread. I have a reeder head that I replaced due to corrosion. Obviously there was some lack of maintenance but I also have to be a little suspect of the alloy. Someday it might be worth welding up. A sold another in much better shape at the Auburn swap meet for 300 so it will be awhile before it’s worth repairing.


Andy

AndyClary wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 2:07 pm

A little late on this thread. I have a reeder head that I replaced due to corrosion. Obviously there was some lack of maintenance but I also have to be a little suspect of the alloy. Someday it might be worth welding up. A sold another in much better shape at the Auburn swap meet for 300 so it will be awhile before it’s worth repairing.


Andy

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Hi I have been looking for a reeder head and came across this topic do you still have the damaged head ? And would you sell it ?

If I was to have that corroded head welded and resurfaced, I would have the large hole between 2 and 3 which has no counterpart in the block, welded shut. Mine and that of a New Zealander required this when both warped between those cylinders. Perhaps that's where going "Going south" originated
Others have not had the same problem.

Allan from down under.