[Shotimes] OT - Ford BB

[BJamesjr@aol.com]

>It had "Crescent" shaped chambers.  Basically, the same shape as the Hemi, 
>but Chrysler had copyrighted the name, so Ford couldn't use it.


>>How did the 429 compare?  Wasn't its design influenced by the Hemi?

I remember the Hemi being "the thing" back then, virtually dominating any 
drag class it was appropriate for.  I always thought it was because of the 
valves being positioned and angled optimally for intake and exhaust, and the 
centrally-located spark plug.  Otherwise I'm not sure that combustion chamber 
shape is any advantage.  The more compact combustion chamber of the Chev. 
V8's might even be better for combustion.

It occurs to me that these days, the "Hemi" concept is somewhat ordinary.  
Many engines, including V6 and V8 SHO's, have the features of hemi-shaped 
combustion chamber, valves angled optimally for intake and exhaust, centrally 
located spark plugs, etc.  The SHO engines along with others have one-upped 
this design by adding the additional intake and exhaust valves.  I think if 
you took the SHO cylinder head design and scaled it up to a 426 c.i. engine, 
then you'd have something.