Posted by Matt Wilson on Sunday, June 23, 2002 at 5:12PM :
In Reply to: Performance Parts For The 230 C. I. Dodge Flathead Engine posted by Skip on Sunday, June 23, 2002 at 1:09PM :
Unfortunately, I think Phillips Performance isn't producing much these days. For a period of about a year-and-a-half, I contacted Mr. Phillips about once every 2 or 3 months. I was hoping to get a hold of his high-compression head and headers. Every time I talked with him, it was the same story: he was getting ready to have some parts cast and machined, but it never seemed to progress much beyond that. I think there was a time when he did produce these parts, but he said he lost his casting source, and was unable to find another decent one. Anyway, in the end it seemed that he would not be producing any parts anymore. I finally gave up on him last fall.
Last time I checked with Vintage Power Wagons, they had none of the Phillips parts either. I think the only thing they have is a high-performance cam with springs, and maybe the dual-carb intake manifold.
I bought the Offenhauser dual-carb intake from Hot Rod Vintage Parts in California. He had the best price by far ($189). This includes the linkage ket. They also are working on designing and building headers for the Chrysler flathead 8's, but they are not ready yet. Their web address is www.hotrodvintageparts.com. I believe they also offer an exhaust manifold splitting service.
There is a place to buy a high-compression aluminum head. This place is Edgy cams, owned by Early Edginton. The head is his own design, I believe and is supposed to be very high quality from what I've heard from others. However, it is expensive (I believe it was around $600, if I remember right).
You can always machine your stock head. I have what I believe was a stock head, and I had 0.080" machined off it. I "cc'd" it before and after the milling. Before, it appeared to have 6.7:1 compression ratio, and afterward it looked to have 8:1, which I've read is about the most you should go. Edgy Cams, of course, also offers cams for these engines, but I don't know much about them.
You can also buy electronic ignition kits from Crane Cams and Pertronix. They are both universal conversion kits, but seem to be highly thought of by people on this and other Dodge flathead forums.
Well, good luck!
Matt
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