Actually, I’m not really an engine builder
, although I’m learning. The (street) engine in my signature line is babbited and has only partially upgraded pressurization (non-cross-drilled crank with dipper rods). However, in 2008 it made seven hard passes, at one point hitting 4900 rpm, with no apparent ill effects (which may be more luck than anything else).
The basics of a “poor boy” engine are simple:
1. Upgrade the stock oil pump.
2. Restrict oil pressure throughout the B block.
3. Cross-drill the crankshaft.
I can scan the above info for you (it’s only a couple of pages).
I (and Pete Richardson) use the valve cover/restrictors from The Model A Works (503-284-1928) which incorporates a full-flow oil filter and allows adjustment of internal oil pressure (I limit the engine to 20# on the street, we turned it up to 50# from B’ville). For my race engine, I had him machine the casting to facilitate a remote filter.
4. Machine block for inserts. Inserts & machining info here:
http://www.antiqueenginerebuilding.com/INSERTTECH.html5. I get my camshafts from Jim Brierley (a long-time V4 racer)
jimb4e4@gmail.com. He is an excellent source of information on building a V4F.
6. Rod$ (Crower, Eubanks, etc) and piston$ (Ross, etc) are available from multiple sources.
7. Bronze cam gear, big valves, blah, blah, blah. How much you want to spend??
Info sources include:
http://www.hotforhotfours.com/ (F.A.S.T. [Ford A Speed Technology] magazine)
http://www.secretsofspeed.com/ (Secrets of Speed magazine)
Mike