I was holding off to reply to this.

First, does anyone have a copy of Hot Rod magazine (it may of been another magazine from that period) of an article that may of been written by Don Francisco on a Y-block build up and dyno test doen by Edelbrock from around 1956, or there abouts?  I seem to recall others, particularily Jerry Christenson, referencing it in his YBM column.  If so, I would like to obtain a copy or scan of it to read.

Second, Oldmics and I have been collaborating our research regarding the 1956/57 factory 312 High Performance engines, particularily camshafts, trying to verify the stories about the Isky E2, S/C cams, and the various high performance kits released by Ford and Mercury.  Oldmics recently interviewed Ed Iskenderian, and the info he shared is quite a revelation.  Not to steal Oldmics "find", I'll wait a while to allow him to post his info.  However, Oldmics wasn't concerned how the info got out, as opposed to finding all of the answers.  So hopefully he will chime in.

And yes, Isky also told the inner valve spring story to Oldmics.

Regards,

Dennis

Dennis:

That was probably the article about getting 300 HP from a Y.  Dec.1956 Hot Rod.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Dennis:

I was doing some reading the other day and came across this bit of info on the B6A camshafts



GSL #46 D**4 September 17,1956

Camshaft B6A-6250-C - 1956 312 Cubic Inch Eight Cylinder Engine Used With Fordomatic Transmission

In Technical Bulletin 187 and Product Letter P-288 it was advised that a new camshaftB6A-6250-C had been released to reduce the engine noise level in 1956 312 cubic inch eight cylinder engines used with Fordomatic transmissions and become effective in production approximately September 7, 1955



This is to advise that shortly thereafter on October 24, 1955, the use of the B6A-6250-C camshaft was discontinued and the B6A-6250-B camshaft has been reinstated.



The lobe lift and valve lash specifications are identical for both camshafts. However, the timing is different as follows.



B6A-6250-C Intake Tappet Lift (Opens) BTDC 20^o @ 0.014"

B6A-6250-B Intake Tappet Lift (Opens) BTDC 12^o @ 0.016"



You may have this info already, just in case you don't.

marv

Dennis:

I don't know how to scan and email stuff, but I will make a photocopy of the article and mail it to you.  You should have it the first of the week.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Dennis

Please go ahead and tell the story.I am on the road traveling for a few days and wont have the time to put into a post.

So,if you dont mind doing the legwork please share the story

Hoosier

I have the reprint of that Hot Rod Magazine article.The reprint says the article was written by Racer Brown.

The original HRM article also restricted certain content by editorial policys.The identifying of the camshaft manufactor or their products by name was not allowed.

The reprint tells the whole story in which Isky cams and componets were used thruout the tests.

Oldmics

Dennis:

Did you get the copy of the article?

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

If you look at issues of HRM from that time frame you'll see that shortly after that article appeared Racer Brown was no longer the Technical Editor of HRM. I guess he found too much power in the Y.

An interesting counterpoint is the (Car Craft, I think) article done a little earlier where they took a 265 scrub and gave it the same treatment. They started out at about 127hp and got up to 210hp, making excuses all the way. They worked with a scrub 6 builder, Frank somebody, can't remember the last name. McGurk? They give all his info including what he charged to re-grind a scrub cam. They later claimed to magically find another 19hp bringing the scrub up to the same hp/cu in level as a 312 making 271hp

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

In the March 1957 issue Racer Brown does an article titled Pros and Cons of Fuel Injection where he is not very flattering of the new scrub fuel injection for 57. This article likely really rankled the scrub faithful. On my reading he really pi$$ed in their pickles. One of his comments is "What price the glory of being first when it's better to be best?"

I don't think I have the specific bulletin, however (most) of the info is on pg 117 of the Eickman Y Block book.

Is the October 24th date suppost to be 1956, not 1955? 

Regards,

Dennis

 

John,

Yes, thank you for sending it.

Regards,

Dennis