MTFCA Forum

Aquiring extra power

Rather than rebuilding a strong motor to acquire extra hill pulling power, can the installation to a 4:1 compression motor of NO2 be a benefit?

I don't understand what you mean? What is a Motor of NO2? Does it have a Model T block? You can climb hills fine with a Ruckstell or other underdrive. Or you can install 4:1 ring and pinion gear in the rear axle. The Ruckstell will not affect the standard Ford gear ratio when in direct drive but the ring and pinion will be slower on level ground. Would you explain in detail what type of engine you refer to?
Norm

I believe he is talking giving his T a shot of nitrous oxide. I have no idea if it would work or not on such a primitive, low compression engine.

Best bang for your buck is bolting on a high compression head.

I am sure that adding Nitrous would gain more horsepower, but at a much shorter engine life expectancy. This is waayyy outside of anything that Ford had ever considered for this engine. Neither the crankshaft, the pistons, or the rings - not to mention the lubrication and cooling systems, were designed for that much stress.

You can get up to around 30 HP at a reasonable RPM with an HC head, aluminum pistons, appropriate valves, cam, etc. Any more than that is asking for trouble, unless you have a very good block and a counterbalanced crankshaft. Speeds over 2000 RPM would probably require an oil pump. Stock T crankshafts are always a pig in a poke. Near-stock Model T engines routinely turn in average speeds around 54 MPH on public roadways during the Montana 500 road race. Competitive hill climbing is very hard on engines, and I doubt if a stock T crankshaft and oiling system would stand up to much of that. Adding a blower or NOX would assure engine failure, in my opinion, unless the engine was extensively modified.

I'd like to put a 60 HP Ford V-8 engine and transmission in a 26 or 27 T.

If you don't mind loud noises, sure.

Why Pat ? If you want a hot rod, go for a ‘56 Chrysler hemi

Been Here Before wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:22 am

Aquiring extra power

Rather than rebuilding a strong motor to acquire extra hill pulling power, can the installation to a 4:1 compression motor of NO2 be a benefit?

A Model T has some inherent limiting factors in an effort to acquire a higher rate of speed. One is the stock Model T engine's internals that were not intended to achieve RPMs much above 1800. Other's include aerodynamics (windshield), rear axle gear ration, suspension, and its ability to stop. So the relationship of engine RPM to rear axle gear ratio is what determines top end speed

This link explains what can be done and what the resulting gain is
https://mtfctulsa.com/Tech/power_and_torque.htm
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Stock engine Spec's
177 cubic inches - 2.9 litre (2900cc);
Engine Horsepower 20-22 BHP @ 1600 Maximum RPM
Engine Torque 83 Ft-Lbs @ 900 RPM
Top Speed Approx. 45 MPH, normal cruise 35 - 40 MPH
Engine RPM@Speed 1400@35 MPH, 1600@40 MPH, 1800@45 MPH Simple way of thinking (somewhat)
Torque is what gets the car moving from a stop; accelerates the vehicle onto the freeway; allows the vehicle to do more work, like pulling a trailer.
Horsepower is what allows the car to climb a hill without slowing; push a car into a head wind and maintain speed.

For me if I wanted to go faster in an old car I would find a 32 to 40’s Ford and build up a flathead or get a small block Ford 289, 302 or a Chev small block 327 and get after it!

After that I would get back in my Model T and have some Model T time.

This burns nitro.

The V8 60 would solve the RPM limitations, lubrication, and vibration issues associated with the T engine and transmission. The low, smooth-flowing torque of the V8 60 would not destroy the model T chassis, if handled responsibly. Cooling the V8 would be a challenge.

The z head looks like a VERY good choice for a T.