alsfarms Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Hello Fellow Dodge Bros. nuts,I have finally had good enough weather to dig out this Ricardo head as found in my attached digital images. It is my hope that a few of you guys have had experience with this head and can tell me what to expect as I install it on my 1923 Dodge Bros. touring project. I wish my body was a better one! I await your responses.Regards,Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 Another Ricardo Pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 I've never seen one of theose, looks to be cast iron? I'm thinking maybe a higher compression ratio than standard? I was hoping for an overhead conversion like a Morten and Brett. That would still be a cool item to use. MAybe someone has experiance with one. HAve you done a google to see what comes up? Now that I look at the picture closer I see the date is Nov. '23. You can't use that on a car built before it was made, better send it to me for my '24. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 I took your advice and did a Google search. I hadn't even thought of that novel idea. One good article suggesting that maybe a bit more compression but the combustion chamber configuration is what the Ricardo head is all about. Any other comments?Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1925tourer Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 sure is. according to my dykes book. designed by mr harry ricardo. it's all about the turbulence and getting the most out of the petrol, also said you need less advance. also said that will not fit a 23 or 24, best on my 25er. send to me asap. with thanks brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 Hello Brian,Thanks for reading a bit about Ricardo heads, in your Dykes manual. Have you seen much original speed or performance stuff in Oz for the early Dodge Bros.? Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1925tourer Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 not much info on 1920's mods, but when my motor came back from the expert builder the pistons poke out the top of the block about 3mm, not sure if this is how they came or a way of boosting compression. you can change the cam grind and the carby. i fitted a holden stromberg down draught carby to my car, gives a bit more go and get an air cleaner with electric fuel pump. and gets rid of a carby that would always pour petrol out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 10, 2008 Author Share Posted February 10, 2008 Brian,How about sending a pic. or two of your intake as above described??Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wenthur Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 My "24 touring is so fast, I'd be afraid of more speed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imouttahere Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 When I restored my car in the mid '80s, the late Jim Mallars (a West Coast DB guru) told me the Roof 16 OHV cylinder head was the hot ticket. I never did find a Roof head, but I found a brochure about it. You can see the brochure here (~600 KB .jpg):http://users.innercite.com/bcrowell4/other_files/roof_head.jpgThe pictures show the intake and exhaust arrangement that they used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickBrinker Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Looks like a new event for the National Meets,Vintage Drag Racing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Thanks for the scan of the brochure. I tried to print it, but only the first picture/page printed. How can I print the rest? HAs anyone actually seen a Roof head for a DB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imouttahere Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Maybe the problem arose because you tried to print after you right-clicked on the image?? Try saving the image to disc first, and then examine it under MS Picture Viewer to see if it is complete. If it's complete, it should print under programs such as Microsoft Paint or Irfanview (free download, highly-recommended). If you still have problems printing it, I can send you a separate .jpg of each page.And yes, Jim Mallars did refer me to a fellow who had a Roof head he wanted to sell, but it lacked the intake sheet metal, so I didn't buy it because I wasn't confident that I would be able to duplicate the intake. Now I wish I had bought it. I've never seen another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 I think it is safe to say 90% of the speed equipment made in the 1920's was for Model T Fords. I'm a Ford guy and I've collected T speed equipment literature for 40 years, seeing anything for a Dodge is RARE. My guess is that the DB overheads were for the pre 1927 blocks. Roof & Laurel are one and the same even though they put out these seperate flyers in 1923. Most of the speed equipment makers used the same illustrations in their catalogs, and I think there was a lot of parts swapping between them. A Roof and Laurel head sitting side by side would be the same. Was the Morton & Brett DB head the same or different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwollam Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Amil Gerhke has a Roof head on his 27 DB roadster and Arnold Seiker in Western Oregon has one on his early DB roadster that has been together for years but never started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I don't know how readable these will be, from the January 1929 Morton & Brett catalog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I'll take two 400W's. Just bring them along to Hershey next fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Yes, I would like to place my order for (3 ea) of these 400W head assemblies also. Don't know if I can wait until Hersey. Just ship out tomorrow! I have three projects waiting in line!Realistically, I would be happy to share costs if someone would loan a head, as a pattern, to have a run of these heads manufactured, maybe those guys at Riley would look at the project??? It would be a nice addition to the 12 volt cars but what a great addition to the Fast 4 engines. Definitely a Ford killer...hahahahaAlan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 OH....I almost forgot...how much deposit is required for my order????? :-)Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I'd just like an unfinished pallet of them delivered to Doug's shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 I could handle that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 24, 2008 Author Share Posted February 24, 2008 Hello, Brian, from OZ, sent me a few requested pictures of a down draft carb. and custom intake built to fit the 12 volt Dodge Bros. Brian was also gracious enough to allow me to post the pictures here. I do this posting to give everyone an idea of carburetor possibilities for our cars, should we not enjoy the original intake setup. Please post your comments as well as ideas of a decent and available down draft carb. available here in the USA. Has anyone had experience installing a side draft SU on one of our 12 volt Dodge Bros.?Regards,Alan Dewsnup(Utah)http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/alsfarms/PIC00126-1.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 24, 2008 Author Share Posted February 24, 2008 Additional Images from Brian, our friend from OZhttp://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/alsfarms/PIC00125-1.jpghttp://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/alsfarms/PIC00122-1.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 24, 2008 Author Share Posted February 24, 2008 Last Picture from Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 24, 2008 Author Share Posted February 24, 2008 This is a few quotes from Brian explaining what he did and used.Hi Alanok to put on the web site. I could not work out how to do it. model number is BX UV2 off a Holden somewhere about 1965 so i'm told. has a base hole of 33mm the first one had 37mm. which i found too big. Although the carby fitted the manifold i made a smaller one. I had pushed a long spring into it to create some turbulance to assist vapourizing the fuel, without much success.The second one is shorter as it is narrower diameter tube. A bit of heat on it would make a huge difference. No trouble starting half a crank and shes off. idles about 450 or so. A bit puffy out the back but i am still making ajustments. The fuel pump and filter is under the car, i cut the pipe along the chassis and used rubber hose with joiners. Had to change to neg earth to do this.The carby does have a pump. It needs that sqwirt to rev, This carby also has an ajustable idle mixture screw as well as the ajustable main jet. You maybe able to find a ford carby to do the same. Will keep you informed of my progress. See attached pics of carby. The carby is a stromberg down draught off an old aussie Holden of about 2.6ltrs, I saw one fitted at a swap meet and spoke to the owner. I changed the main jet to an ajustable, and made the manifold from a piece of bent 11/2inch exhaust pipe made some ends and welded them on, works good. have since made smaller one.have a look and i can give more info if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Alsfarm, that looks pretty racey. IS it my eyesight or is the carb leaning a little to the right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 Not sure if it is straight or not, could just be the angle of Brian's camera. He suggests that he has a second version for the intake in the works. Maybe he will drop us an update.Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1925tourer Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Sorry. Thats the new smaller manifold, i had to finish it and quickly bolt it on to take the pics. It is all square now. Also painted it same as motor. looks like a bought one now. Have not tried it yet, maybe on the week end.Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 With a modern carb and the adjustable jet it should be a good setup. Let us know, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Scafani Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 here is an old photo from some obscure publication of a morton brett equipped Dodge engine. I have the engine but it is taken apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 This is G. Rowland in his #9 Dodge Special, it was at Langhorne, Pa. on opening day for the Inaugural Race on May 31, 1926 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 Brian sent me a couple of digital images of his installation of after market tube type shocks installed on his car. Here they are.I bet they help reduce the jolts during a Sunday afternoon drive!Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgearhead1 Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 AllanI had a friend that had a ROOF head on his 1921 Dodge Roadster. The engine was fresh and all broke in and ready for the road. 30 days later he was going up a long climb and desided to pass his friend 1930 Packard. Well just after passing the Packard the crank blew out the bottom of his new engine.Yes It will vastly increase the power and rip your engine block and crank appart.You are farther ahead to stick with the Richardo head. That is what my friend did and after loosing his engine.found a Richardo and built a new engine and left the rest on the shelf.If you have a extra Richardo I'm interested. Maybe I can duplicate it.Well enough of my dreaming.CheersReuel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichFox Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I have been running a Plymouth PB powered roadster at Bonneville and El Mirage. lately I have been looking at a '26 Dodge Bros engine that was given to me. The drip oiling to the crankshaft seems a little iffy. What did they do to the old race cars? My PB went 113.75 mph with a flathead I made and 135 mph with a '57 Ford V8 head. My email is V4GR@rcn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Scafani Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Hi Rich, The block I have for the Morton and Brett has been plumbed for full pressure. We could use that with the Roof 16 valve head in your roadster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichFox Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Maybe I could come over there and look at that. Or you could come here and see the roadster. I guess they came through the main caps with the oil? RF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted May 16, 2008 Author Share Posted May 16, 2008 How about posting a few pictures of the early Dodge speed equipment for all of us to dream about.Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Scafani Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 here is a photo of a roof 16 valve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McEwan Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 I have just completed the Holden carby conversion similar to Brian from Oz on my '23 tourer. I cannot believe the difference in performance it has made. It actually accelerates up hills that it used to struggle with and has made driving my Dodge a much more pleasant experience all round. I might add it is a lot safer being able to keep up with the flow of traffic as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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