Four Thought

For those who like to be at the epicenter of controversy, try this the next time you're bench racing with your buddies. Causally ask what is the most significant engine in the history of hot rodding, then stand back and listen. Presumably, there are a number of responses that could be reasonably well defended to such an open ended question, but odds are that most would argue in favor of the flathead Ford, or the small-block Chevy, or perhaps the Chrysler Hemi. But consider this: If any, or even all those engines combined comprise the foundation of the hobby, the cornerstone was the four-cylinder Ford. Even before the heyday of the venerable V-8, four-cylinder powered race cars were slinging dirt on tracks coast to coast and making clouds of dust on the dry lakes of SoCal.

Although a variety of engines were used when bangers reigned supreme, the overwhelming majority of racers ran Fords. Of course, then, just as today, engine builders had all sorts of tricks to make engines produce more power and live doing it, such as modified and counterweighted cranks, higher compression, stronger connecting rods, wilder cams, better ignitions, and improved carburetion. But what comes as a surprise to most contemporary rodders is the number of aftermarket performance parts, particularly heads, that were available. Then, as now, those early engine builders knew that breathing was the key to performance. Like its sibling, the V-8, the four-cylinder Ford's ability to breathe was hampered by the valve in block, or L-head, valve configuration. Couple that with 4.5:1 compression, and 40 hp from 200.5 cubic inches was the result. So, as you might guess, there was a real gain to be made with improved heads that addressed both these shortcomings. These aftermarket heads were made in all configurations: stock L-head with both valves in the block; F-heads with valves in the head (normally the intake) and stock exhaust valves in the block; and I-heads with all the valves in the head.

Although we've never found anyone who knew for sure how aftermarket heads were built for four-cylinder Fords, surely one of the largest collections ever assembled belonged to the late, legendary Wes Cooper. A hot rodder all his life, Cooper began racing on the dry lakes of Southern California in the mid-'30s. Some 50 years later, while watching yet another of his beloved bangers propel a race car into the record books, he passed away. Wes was truly a hot rodder all his life.

While doing research for his book, Hot Rod History, Book II (available from the Hot Rod Library) Tom Medley photographed this unique collection, but the planned interview never took place due to Coopers untimely death. So, in his absence, Medley asked Bruce Johnston, a close friend of Cooper's, to describe them all. A veteran racer and race car builder, few had the historical perspective Johnston could provide (unfortunately, Bruce was killed in a lakester at Muroc a few years ago).

Cooper's collection was indeed eclectic as it included a variety of aftermarket flatheads with familiar names such as Winfield, Evans, and Ford, along with less recognizable monikers such as Acme, RayDay, Simmons, Coisson, Roose, and others. Also part of the collection were overhead conversions in a variety of configurations, including F-heads such as the two-port Riley, I-heads such as the four-port Riley, Miller-Schofield, Cragar, and even a few ultra-rare overhead cam designs such as McDowell and Howell heads.

If you're even remotely interested in four-cylinder engines, you have to check out The Secrets Of Speed Society. According to its founder, Charlie Yapp, it's the largest speed and sport special interest club in the world that is dedicated to celebrating the people, history, technology, and equipment of high performance Model A, B, and T four-cylinder Fords; "We started with 35 guys as pen pals. Today it turns out there are thousands of us." Membership includes Secrets, The Ford Speed & Sport Magazine, published quarterly.

Along with putting out a first rate publication, another of Yapp's claims to fame is his speed equipment. Currently, he produces the Lion Speed head (a high compression flathead), all kinds of intake manifolds and aluminum finned side plates, steel crankshaft pulleys, and even a water inlet that also holds the water temperature gauge sender. But, the real jewel in Yapp's crown is his new Riley two-port head.

Although the new head is patterned after the original Riley, there have been substantial improvements. These heads run cooler and are more reliable than the originals, plus they look better. But the astonishing part is that dyno testing indicates that as much as 105 hp is possible at the rear wheels with bags of torque! Now that will make a nostalgia car scoot.

While the new Riley two-port heads are in production, there are 13 castings and about 100 parts in all, so it takes three to four months to complete a casting and machining run. As a result, if you're interested in one of these heads, it's advisable to get your name on the list, as they go fast (no pun intended).

Another great parts and services source for anyone into bangers is H&H Antique Ford Engine Rebuilding, which is run by Max Herman and son, Max Jr. They can supply an array of speed equipment and aftermarket heads, including their new Ardun built in collaboration with the guru of all specialty machinists, Norm Frick.

Services offered by H&H include complete machine work as well as full pressure oiling modifications, insert bearing conversions, counterbalanced cranks, and that's just the beginning. While they build everything from stone stock restored engines to killer Bonneville motors, H&H is probably best known for their touring engines. These are bangers built to run in the fast lane and live to do it over and over again.

Granted, they're not for everyone, but if you were looking to build something different, a vintage four-cylinder powered rod would sure fit that bill. They're certainly an alternative to the small-block sameness that everyone grouses about. Besides, they're a great way to start a conversation about hot rod history.