Cadillac Flathead Tech Contributions

[fiftyv8]

Well Guys, here is a couple of photo's of my alternator install progress.
The 1st two pic's show how I have converted to aluminum pulleys running an "A" section belt.
I believe this is the correct term.
I have also machined down the depth of the crankshaft boss by 9/16" that boss holds the bottom pulley to the crankshaft, let me say there is some other maching to do to finish that off but since this an alternator article lets stay focused.
 
Machining the boss shorter allows me to run the double groove bottom pulley and helps keep things tidy for my project and I will be installing a modern crank seal and also casting my own aluminum timing cover which deletes the fuel pump attachment point as I will be running an electric fuel pump it also deletes the generator horns to give me some room to move when making and installing the new alternator. All this stuff will blend in with future posts later.

I had laser cut a spacer plate that fits into the metal pressed groove around the valley plate, then I got a cantilever base plate cut to fit over the spacer plate and hang out forward to support the base of my selected alternator.

I then got a plate purpose cut to fit the shape of my modified timing chain cover that would match into the existing bolt pattern holding the timing cover in place. The measurements for this plate are critical to ensure it will fit and later it was cut and welded to form a 90 degree support arm under the alternator base plate. I am not sure if all this stregth is needed but I figured do it now and is not required it could be taken off later.

I also made a metal block to support the hinge end of the alternator and this will be welded to the base plate and the other side but not made yet will be a similar block that I will also weld to the opposite of the base plate which I will use to attach my slide adjuster used for tensioning the belt. The slide adjuster I will draft onto paper and then glue to thin cardboard and then cut it out and roughly fit it up and see how it works, once I am satisfied with its performance I will get a real item laser cut from 1/4" plate.

Since I have run out of photo space for posting I will continue the remainder of the photo's below.

[fiftyv8]

Here are the remaining photo's of the alternator bracket stuff.
Just to answer one thing about the base plate, I did shape it slightly wider on the sides and got a 15 degree turned up edge to stiffen the plate so it would not be inclinded to flex under belt tension.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article.
I will have some other posts soon for my modified timing chain cover and power steering pump bracket.

[Big Fins]

Reading this is all time well spent if you don't know about these types of engines.

Looking at the mounting and I see the reasoning for the up-turned ends, but is the tensioner going to be added to the alternator brackets or elsewhere as an idler pulley of sorts?

Thanks for taking the time to share all this. I don't have much to contribute, but I do have lots to learn.

Fins

[fiftyv8]

Yes, the belt in the photo's is loose but will tension up nicely once I have a slide adjuster arm made up.
I will however need an idler pulley for the power steering project which I will be posting in the future.

[Porter]

Nice work, I was wondering myself how you would apply belt tension.

My SBC has a serpentine belt with the tension-er pulley, had to replace that at 120K. Only a $ 20 part held on with one bolt.

Porter

[fiftyv8]

Here is a little progress on the wooden pattern I am making ready for casting the timing chain cover which is designed to tidy up the front of the engine to suit my needs.

It allows me to fit an alternator as per an earlier post by removing the generator horns, also does away with the fuel pump mounting point as I plan to use a low pressure Holley electric unit.

By removing the original fuel pump I now have room to install a power steering pump to drive my saginaw steering box.

The new timing cover will be cast out of top quality aluminum and I have ensured that the area around the crank shaft hole will suit the fitting of a modern style oil seal.

By making my own pattern I have save a significant amount of money so far but I guess this will all be consumed in the casting and machining operations to follow.

I will be casting two covers first up and then I will have a better idea of my costs and success etc.

From there I will be offering to cast several more to any interested folks of which I have a small list already from several countries around the world from other Cadillac flathead additcts.

This cover is mostly suited to somebody wanting to use a flathead in a hot rod in a more non traditional way.

The attached picture is just a progress shot and does not depict the final shaped product yet, more work is required around the fuel pump, end of cam shaft area.

More later...

[The Tassie Devil (Bruce Reynolds)]

Looking good.

Bruce.

[CarFreak]

Found a couple flat head tech articles in some older Self Starters. 

[CarFreak]

More...

[Dyna]

Here is a little progress on the wooden pattern I am making ready for casting the timing chain cover which is designed to tidy up the front of the engine to suit my needs.

It allows me to fit an alternator as per an earlier post by removing the generator horns, also does away with the fuel pump mounting point as I plan to use a low pressure Holley electric unit.

By removing the original fuel pump I now have room to install a power steering pump to drive my saginaw steering box.

The new timing cover will be cast out of top quality aluminum and I have ensured that the area around the crank shaft hole will suit the fitting of a modern style oil seal.

By making my own pattern I have save a significant amount of money so far but I guess this will all be consumed in the casting and machining operations to follow.

I will be casting two covers first up and then I will have a better idea of my costs and success etc.

From there I will be offering to cast several more to any interested folks of which I have a small list already from several countries around the world from other Cadillac flathead additcts.

This cover is mostly suited to somebody wanting to use a flathead in a hot rod in a more non traditional way.

The attached picture is just a progress shot and does not depict the final shaped product yet, more work is required around the fuel pump, end of cam shaft area.

More later...

Wow, that is hard core to cast your self. Would never even think about doing that... is it hard? I mean I never even thought that far that you can actually do it your self so to say...

Cheers Dyna

PS: Really looking fwd to see more of your fabulous work..

[fiftyv8]

Thanks Dyna, for your kind comments.
No, I will not cast it myself, but I am making the pattern, which has been a challenge.
I was quoted $2,000 to make it and I just figured if I did not do it I was not going to afford it.

I found a foundry company who casts what they call billet quality aluminum and so when the pattern is finished I will get the first casting of 2 pieces done and then have them machined to fit the engine and fit a modern crank seal that I plan to use.

I have been a little unwell just recently and I have just not gotten motivated enough to get out in the shop and finish what little work is requird to get the pattern ready.

However I will keep you all posted as I would like to keep this thread running and close to the top of our topics so any others will find it and hopefully gain something from it.

Our forum flathead department is a little light on but I will persist to keep flying the flag with the help of a few special technically minded Caddy guys here who have such a wealth of knowledge and know where to find stuff. ( since I am just an engine guy and dont own a whole Caddy) Thanks to those forum supporters who help keep my flathead stuff coming.

Russ.

[CarFreak]

41 & 46-48 heads:

[CarFreak]

42 heads:

[CarFreak]

Keeping cool - dealing with coolant flow in preventing overheating. 
I only included the important part of the article; the cure.

[CarFreak]

42 oil level gauge calibration: