More Vintage Rules Clarification

[38flattie]

This should be simple to get an answer to, but it is not.

The Caddy flathead has siamesed center exhaust ports. I want to split them, and have two, true ports. The SCTA-BNI rules state:

"Modification to said blocks shall be limited to original factory production or factory authorized replacements and shall retain all original dimensions, excepting modifications involving intake/exhaust ports, cooling ports and specialty head adaptation'.

There's more, but not that addresses the ports.

I'm not trying to rehash the Salt Cat, incident, but it did get me thinking. I thought what they did was legal, just as I think what I want to do is legal.

To be safe, I contacted Tech. The Tech gentleman told me he no longer commented on vintage engine modifications, and to  please contact either Roy Creel or Doug Robinson.

No problem. I sent emails to both, as well as ALL of the board members. It's been over two weeks, and I haven't received one response.

So, now what? I only have so much time, and I'm proceeding as planned. It appears that not only has the board 'hamstrung' the inspectors, but left those of us with build questions, on our own to figure this stuff out.

So, what's the solution?

[desotoman]

excepting modifications involving intake/exhaust ports, cooling ports and specialty head adaptation'.

Flatfire still holds a record at Bonneville set in 03. That flathead motor had 8 new intake ports made, and used the old intake ports in the block as exhaust ports. 

Tom G.

PS. Rich Fox kindly pointed out that Flatfire was run as an XF and not an XO as a Cadillac Flathead would have to run so this post does not apply.

[RichFox]

But flatfire and Jimmy Stevens run in XF. Buddy will be in XO. Same as Salt Cat. They added ports and look how that turned out. But also Buddie's Cad will be in XXO just on displacement anyway, so does that make it a moot point?

[jimmy six]

I'll give you my opinion as I see it. Re-read the first paragraph in bold print in the 2010 rule book on page 16. It allows modifications to BLOCKS and is not specific to an engine class but to all vintage engines.

I believe this was added because claraification was needed to allow certain thing to be done to flathead style engine and a Cadillac is one of them. There is a lot written in to that bold area so read it all. Some items may not pertain to the Cadillac but if you don't need or want to do them I personally don't see a problem but I'm not on any committee or board at this time.

Perhaps someday the X-Other class will be divided up between overhead valve and non overhead valve; who knows....... Good Luck

[desotoman]

But flatfire and Jimmy Stevens run in XF. Buddy will be in XO. Same as Salt Cat. They added ports and look how that turned out. But also Buddie's Cad will be in XXO just on displacement anyway, so does that make it a moot point?

Good point Rich, I forgot all Flatheads are not classified the same my mistake. I will change my post to reflect that.

Tom G.

[38flattie]

But flatfire and Jimmy Stevens run in XF. Buddy will be in XO. Same as Salt Cat. They added ports and look how that turned out. But also Buddie's Cad will be in XXO just on displacement anyway, so does that make it a moot point?

Good question. If Salt Cat had run their head, in XXO, with 326 CI or more, I believe they would still be DQ'D.

Under 325 with specialty head, or 325-375 CI is XXO. Can't run 326 with specialty head and be XXO.

I agree, that "modifications to blocks" sounds cut and dried, but then, I thought Salt Cats deal did too.

We are going to go ahead and do the mods, but it seems we should be able to get clarification prior to starting.

Besides, unless we get to impound, it's a moot point!

desotoman--XF and XO are different, but the way I read the rules, the move from XF to XXF, or XO to XXO are identicle. Over 325 CI, or up to 325 CI and a specialty head moves you up to XXF or XXO.

[NathanStewart]

This should be simple to get an answer to, but it is not.

Obviously the XO/XXO classes can be kind of confusing at first glance because it mixes a few different types of engine together but this is really nothing new.  The answer is simple and it is in the rule book.  The Salt Cat thing was beyond just some confusion with the rules... don't let it distract you from what's spelled out in the rule book. 

And you're right.  You can not be 326+cid with a specialty head and run in XXO.  You'd get bumped into the appropriate non-vintage engine class.

If emails don't get answered I start making phone calls.

[38flattie]

I thought it was spelled out clearly to me, but didn't want to take the chance.

I spoke with Pat Riley yesterday, about his XO 38 Chevy build. I mentioned this , and he said he would get clarification in writing for me.

So the system worked, and all is well.