'36 212 camshaft grind & headers ideas?

terraplane8

Anyone have a camshaft grind recommendation to perk up a '36 212? I have got a 112 head to raise compression to around 7.5:1 and I am looking for a little more valve lift. The goal is to optimise torque not turn it into something that loses low and mid power and gains a few horses only at the top end. I have done some measurements and there is enough valve to head clearance to increase the lift quite a bit - BUT, I don't want to overtax the valve followers/cam given that more duration is probably not called for.



Headers - given how horribly restrictive the standard exhaust manifold is, and how tight clearance steering shaft & box clearance is on RHD cars I don't think a split manifold is the correct solution in this instance. Looking instead at some 6-branch 1 and 1/2" header pipes around 50-55" long coming over the top and down the left side of the engine (stacks of clearance), with each of the two bunches of 3 headers going into a Tri-Y and then both of these into a single 2" out to the rear. The exhaust ports are circular and 1 and 3/8" diameter, so 1 and 1/2" pipes would hopefully act as anti-reversion headers. I can't see the point in large diameter header pipes like 1 and 5/8" as this will likely lose velocity and power from what I have read. Has anyone got any info and/or images on this? A couple of issues are how to heat the inlet manifold for winter driving and how much noisier would the headers be (maybe I can wrap them as many do?).



I do want the Terraplane to fly along as I think it can do with some minor tweaks like this. I need to decisively beat my mate with his '38 Ford coupe with Mercury motor and twin pipes. All for fun of course, and to keep the Hudson/Terraplane performance legend alive.

Uncle Josh

Geoff Clark has reground some of this old stuff with good results. geoffclark@xtra.co.nz

53jetman

Contact George Place @ Place Auto Parts & Machine Shop, 11973 Delpha-Southworth Rd., Delphos, OH 45833-9229. Phone (419)692-1094. George has raced early & mid thrities Hudsons & Terraplanes, and builds splasher engines for the antique racers locally. He's got all the heavy machine equipment to do the modifications necessary to make the old girls run, run, run! He's also built and modified many a 308 big six to run the V-8's off the tracks too.



Jerry

53jetman

terraplane8

Jerry,



Thanks for the lead, I'm in New Zealand so the work will have to be done here once I know what is best to do.

Ol racer

FYI

Isky has been grinding Cams since the early Thirty's and still regrind using your core. They will have a 3/4 profile to select... Do a competition (multi Angle) valve Job & grind the Intakes with 30 Deg Seats. Also port out little material below the valve. The Over Top 1.5 Headers should work but suggest 'slip fit' so can replace head gasket easier if necessary. Headers themselfs are no noisier than an exh manifold.



Suggest converting your points over to Electronic (6V Pertonix Unit or 12V Crane XR700) and never be in the Dist again....(Its Ez)



Put a little larger Carb on by using or making a simple adapter then enlarge the holes a bit below the carb. (Just taper down for smooth flow)



Probably best way to heat the manifold is to run a heater hose adjacent to Intake.



The '38 cpe should be no problem since many State Police Agencies used Terraplanes because of their speed........

Ol racer

FYI

Check out the over the Top Header Pipes in the new Post 'More Terraplanes Specials

terraplane8

That's just what I want. If they are smoothly curved they would look great. I have found a very good rod builder here who can make the headers - I just need some proven dimensions to consider just in case I am off-beam with my thoughts of 1 and 1/2" header pipes.

Ol racer

Stay with your dream pipes... 1 1/2" may be ideal since small block Chevy V8 headers are 1 5/8".....

Many Muffler shops will custom bend pipes today but you may have to buy the collector ends seperately then mig together. Go with aluminized pipe.