View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
journeyman Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Moscow 4016.18 points
|
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 1:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
WOW. That was a cool article... Not like I am used to seeing in HotRod. I felt like they were speaking my language, something I could understand and was really into. But they left me hanging: Where can one get those crossfire heads (a quick search turned up nothing)? And where is part two of the article? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
journeyman Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Moscow 4016.18 points
|
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
Big Dave wrote: | Hemi engines were the result of aircraft engine reseach conducted during WWII to increase the piston powered planes overall speed and power.
Yes if you filled the cylinder with a spherical dome you get lots of power and the efficiency of the engine is maxed out (so a 402 BBC with a hemi head would indeed blow away the SBC 400). Will it run on pump gas? Not at 15.0:1 compression ratios it won't.
And yes the Dart's Big Chief 14° degree head has a fairly small 74 to 85cc heart shaped combustion chamber chamber (74 as cast 85 cc when fully CNC machined) for use with a flat top or mild dome piston designed to accept the angle of the splayed valves. Brodix's PB1200 Man Eater 12° heads have 68-72cc chambers. You can pick up a set of either for around $4,800 a head complete or $2,500 for a bare casting if you have your own CNC five axis mill (like a lot of the pro's do) and make your own heads with your own flow characteristics.
The big block head was designed in 1962 with a slide rule and was reengineered again in 1967 based upon information that William T. Jenkins provided the design team with, but the engineers where still using log books and a slide rule. Modern aftermarket heads from most manufactures are relying upon CAD CAM CNC to bring a design from the computer to the shop flor and out the door.
Big Dave |
76 cc looks great... $9600 does NOT. Hmmm. there has to be an alternative. I do like the article's featured intake: a $1200 Accel injection unit with 14' runners:
[/img] |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Big Dave Moderator

Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 2660 Location: Tampa Florida 120444.52 points
|
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 1:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Those heads where created by Jim Fueling who died in Dec 2002. His company only sells stuff for Harley Bik's now so they are unavailable. They do not exist as a "for sale" item. With a five axis CNC mill (and about twice the price of the mill in the necessary tooling) combined with AutoCAD software running on your family PC you can make anything you want.
The Accel EFI unit was designed and built originally by the late John Lingenfelter based initially upon the bottom of an Edelbrock tunnel ram manifold that he "tweaked" a bit.
Big Dave |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
journeyman Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Moscow 4016.18 points
|
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
So sad on those heads.
That HotRod build was something that seemed almost custom tailored to me.
Unfortunately, I am having a hard time finding part 2 of the article.
They claim that intake has the equivalent of 14" runners... Wow.
BSFC numbers are interesting to me, but I really would like to take it a step farther to partial throttle BSFC numbers. I know that may sound ridiculous, but since almost all driving is done at partial throttle, it makes sense. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
clay Moderator

Joined: 24 Nov 2002 Posts: 3209 Location: South Carolina 318129.23 points
1972 Chevrolet Nova
|
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I tried searching around Lingenfelter's site for anything but it doesn't appear he has really done anything for the BBC. He is another good source for what you are looking for - torque and efficiency. Here is a link to a thread on Speedtalk I remembered about somebody having some of the Feuling heads. Maybe try to get in contact with him - sounds like they are available. Clay
http://speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21472&p=235861&hilit=feuling+heads#p235861 _________________ I have done so much with so little for so long, I can now do anything with nothing. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
af2 Member

Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Posts: 5568 Location: grassvalley, ca 71528.86 points
1933 Willys Coupe
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
Even with the 120ish CC heads there is still about 40% squish. I wouldn't hesitate to put that at .041" on the 4.380" bore with the low rpm you are running. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
journeyman Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Moscow 4016.18 points
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 3:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: | AFAIK, there were only 6-8 sets ever made. |
Somehow, I find this statement (from the link) hard to believe. Investing that much in R&D, and then mfg. he HAD to have made a run of several hundred pairs.
Why wouldn't there be copies of these heads around?
It seems like these would be the ultimate low RPM heads. Also, with the spark plug location moved AWAY FROM the exhaust, it actually looks civilized!
 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
journeyman Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Moscow 4016.18 points
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
There are other small chamber heads for the BBC:
These (Brand New Aluminum GM BB Heads #10051128) have a great chamber (72cc), but intake ports the size of a small warehouse. Unfortunately, they are also symmetrical port heads and are 5/8" taller than stock, so nothing will fit right on them.
Pontiac made a 60 cc head appropriate for the BBC I heard... |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
journeyman Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Moscow 4016.18 points
|
Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
This article (HotRod) really opened my eyes, and maybe even inspired me.
How to build a BBC for efficiency/low BSFC?
The numbers they were throwing around (.35 Lb/bhpHr) are in the diesel territory and quite exciting to think about for a gasoline engine, especially one as robust as the BBC.
It seems that much of their gains were to be had from the head.
Isn't there a small chamber, small runner head available anywhere? I am finding that combination is like looking for unobtanium.
There HAS to be others that have wanted to build the BBC for efficiency. What did they use? Where did they get their parts? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Big Dave Moderator

Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 2660 Location: Tampa Florida 120444.52 points
|
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well there is the generation VII BBC made by Mercruiser (they have since stopped production). It is basically the LS-x head stuck on top of a tall deck 496 BBC. There are no parts of the Mark IV Gen V or Gen VI that will interchange with the gen VII.
Big Dave |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
journeyman Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Moscow 4016.18 points
|
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, but I have heard frequently of 8.1 woes. I have not done any research, just anecdotal references, and it makes me wonder about advantages of the 8.1 over the VVT 6.0
I just think there HAS to be some efficiency stuff (heads/intake/cam combo) out there for the BBC. It is such a truly great motor. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
journeyman Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Moscow 4016.18 points
|
Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Big Dave wrote: | Well there is the generation VII BBC made by Mercruiser (they have since stopped production). It is basically the LS-x head stuck on top of a tall deck 496 BBC. There are no parts of the Mark IV Gen V or Gen VI that will interchange with the gen VII.
Big Dave |
Is the 8.1 combustion chamber a lot (how much?) more efficient than the gen 4/5/6 BBC? If so, that could be a big determining factor. I like the longer stroke with the moderate bore... |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|