Posted by Vaughn [172.69.142.95] on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 09:37:25 :
In Reply to: WTBFlathead 230 head head casting number 16XXXXX posted by DDD [172.68.35.22] on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 22:58:00 :
The head you want is the very last 230 flathead produced, casting number 16763367, highest compression, and these were on the 230 found in yellow taxi cabs. Your 265 C.I.D. produces 119 HP, yes you can get additional torque, but at 1200 RPM, you would still be lacking HP to accelerate on hills.
There are performance items you can do to increase torque and HP on a 230 that you might want to consider:
- Bore the engine. You can bore a 218 to 240 and the 230 possibly to 250, discuss with a machinist.
- Install Swirl finish SS 1-1/2" intake and 1.600 exhaust valves using the chevy keepers and port out from 1-7/16 and 1-1/2 valve size – source Engine Pro - SI - Stainless Steel Performance Swirl Polished Valves (rpmrons.com). Match the intake/exhaust manifold to the port as well.
- Dual Ford glass bowl Holley’s perform well, or you can use other carbs other than B&B’s, they don’t perform as well from what I understand.
- A mild cam grind would be good.
- Dual exhaust would help.
With mods to the 230, you could surpass the 265 with torque and HP and still have a dependable engine. Living at the elevation you live at, a V8 might be a better choice. I’ve driven my FFPW with a 230 at 8500 feet and it really robs torque and HP from a flathead.
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