XXO Engine Classification Clarification, Please!

[38flattie]

Wow! The more I read the rules, the more I realize I bit off a lot here.

These rules are as clear as mud to me, so can someone clarify this for me? I have a Cadillac flathead, factory 346 cid, that I thought would be an XXO, and I thought I'd be able to run XXO/BVGC. Now I don't know what I have, besides a headache. Lol!

2.A.1, Vintage Engines Describes XO class as( condensed version!): class consists of inline overhead valve (OHV), flathead inline, and flathead v8 ( except Ford and Mercury),up to 325 inches.

XXO class is an XO engine, as describes above, with a specialty cylinder head as described below

A specialty cylinder head is  fabricated,from billet stock or cast.At least one valve per cylinder shall be in the head.All X class engines, as described above, which are over325 cid, but less than 375 cid, shall be classified as either XXF or XXO. Specialty cylinder heads are NOT allowed in this instance.

[Kiwi Paul]

Not that hard, really. You have a Flathead Cadillac V8, so that makes it XF or XXF.Your displacement is 346ci, that automatically makes it XXF. You will be running against flathead Ford/Merc engines that displace less than 325ci, but have Ardun or similar heads. Because of the lage displacement of your engine, you cannot run any OHV conversion heads, but can run a flathead design head modified...combustion chamber design, even twin plugs, just not OHV,OHC,F Head.....

[38flattie]

Well, The way I read it, XF Is Ford/ Mercury up to 325 cid, and XXF is Ford Mercury over 325 cid, with a specialty head. Then later in the description, it says no specialty heads!

The bold print statements are contradicting, unless I'm reading to much into this.

[Milwaukee Midget]

So, for my edification, a specialty head is an ohv/ohc conversion, but if the valves remain in the block, regardless of the head, it's not a specialty head?

[38flattie]

That's how I read it, except OHC is not allowed either. I just got tired of typing and didn't quote it.

[Kiwi Paul]

Yep, the `Specialty`designation as defined by SCTA/BNI MEANS JUST THAT,don`t forget that any record holding XF engine has aftermarket heads,Edelbrock, Offy, Kong even, but any Ardun type conversion automatically puts you into XX class....OK?

[38flattie]

That's nice, but I don't care about the Xf, XXF, or Ardun conversions. I won't be running against Fords, let alone Fords with less than 325 cid, like you stated. They are Fords, and have their own classes.

I'm trying to figure out, if the Cadillac engine, at 373.5 cid, will qualify as an XXO engine because of the cid, or if it HAS to have a specialty head to qualify.

Anyone who know's?

[desotoman]

Wow! The more I read the rules, the more I realize I bit off a lot here.

These rules are as clear as mud to me, so can someone clarify this for me? I have a Cadillac flathead, factory 346 cid, that I thought would be an XXO.

It is.

Tom G.

[desotoman]

I'm trying to figure out, if the Cadillac engine, at 373.5 cid, will qualify as an XXO engine because of the cid.

Yes.

Tom G.

[RichFox]

Thought I explained this once already. XX0 would be an under 325 engine with an OHV conversion or 12 port in the case of a GMC. Or a still flathead Cad between 325 and 375 cubic inches Read the sentence "All X class engines, as described above"--ect.  These X and XX rules are not that hard to understand but people keep reading them to much. You would think by now everyone would know that XF is a Ford only class. Not even a Lincoln flathead V8 can sneak in. No Ford flathead sixs. But no. Some pretty well informed people still don't get it. Anyway you have been right all along XXO/BGVC

[38flattie]

Thanks guys! Guess I'm reading to much into these rules, sometimes. I appreciate the clarification.

[dw230]

Everybody STOP!!!!

"All X class engines, as described above, which are over 325 cid, but less than 375 cid, shall be classified as either XXF or XXO."

F engines in this case are FORD/MERC PASSENGER CAR engines. You are XXO.
Thats it.

DW

[fredvance]

Thanks Dan, I was getting a headache. Im not even a car guy but understand that an anything with an F is a ford/merc flathead.

[Jeff Brock]

Hey Bud,

I think you'll find, over time, that the rules are very well written.
If you start to use a highlighter pen on the "clear to your car only", sentences pertaining to your build only... it will help tremendously.
If guys like Rich Fox , DW ...or hell even Stan Back {cough}answer a question , ya outa open the book and highlight it and move on.
Realizing the job the SCTA officials have in enveloping nearly a hundred classes that cross into one another, it makes for some tough text.

Stay focused... I'd sure like to see a blown 38 Cadi Flatty run.

[desotoman]

Thanks Dan, I was getting a headache. Im not even a car guy but understand that an anything with an F is a ford/merc flathead.

Fred,

Don't forget to add "passenger car engines" to Ford/Merc.    

When X/F came about it did not say "passenger car engine" in the rule book.  I spent about $4,000 buying some "Ford" flathead motors. DW informed me they were illegal because he thought they were actually a Lincoln 337 inch motor. Well when I showed DW a head that had Ford inscripted on it, the next year the rule book wording was changed and that is when they added "passenger car engines". The motors I had were made for Ford Trucks.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have never said a word, and just brought it out and run it, and watched the expressions on everyone's face when I pulled out the Ford head.   

Tom G.