In this month's SDC magazine they talk about the 1917 cars. Also in the article they mention that the engines did not have a removable head and that the Fords did. So my question is: How do u do that? How did they make an engine where the block and head are one? And curiously. How are the valves placed? Can I assume that the engine was of a flat head design and that the valves came up from the block like flat head engines I'm used to seeing? It would be nice to see a picture of one of these engines. Of which, I'm hoping, will say a thousand words. My interests in cars doesn't go back that far so I would appreciate some education on the subject.
Early Stude engines
Dec 04, 2006
3 Replies
Not sure of the early Studes, but a Crosley has no head ,the block splits in two different places once at the crank line and about 3 1/2' above the crank, the block is lowered over the pistons Although the Crosley is a Overhead Cam the cam sits on top of the valves. no rocker arms or pushrods.
Bob Whiten Wagonmaster
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This design was a quite common in the early years of the internal combustion engine, commonly referred to as the "mono-block" it eliminated problems with head gasket sealing. Large screw in plugs were fitted into the "head", allowing the valves to be dropped in from the top (and of course the valve seats were thereby easily accessible for grinding)
Here's one example of a valve cage, which was another way to do it.
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The cage includes the seat and the guide. The valve is dropped in and the spring and retainer attached and then the whole thing is screwed into place.My Novo one lunger uses them side by side.
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