28/04/2022
Today we finished something very special. A 325ci Ford Flathead V8 camshaft, custom made from one piece billet M238 alloy steel.
This camshaft will be used in an engine to try to set a new world record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.
The Ford Flathead, introduced as Ford's first V8 in 1932, is considered an "old tech" relic at best in modern racing circles. When Bonneville Speed Week was first held in 1949, there certainly was no Toyota 2JZ around. There was no 426 Hemi either, and the Chevy smallblock V-8 was still years away. In abundance, however, was Ford’s famous Flathead V8, and it powered hundreds of racers on to land speed records. Today, there are vintage engine classes for those that still want to run a Flathead and chase records in the same classes that made history at Bonneville way back when.
For those not up on Bonneville class lingo, XF is the engine class for any production Ford/Mercury Flathead V8 engine, 1932–1953, up to 325 cubic inches.” The ‘GR’ in ‘XF/GR’ stands for Gas Roadster, which means the car must be powered by the race fuel provided on the salt.