[Tigers] Big Valve 260

[Tod Brown]

Hello All:


Ron's information regarding the engines in the Tiger raises the question 
as to the exact configuration of the engines in early Tigers, especially 
the intake valve diameter. His comments got me interested and I dug out 
my copy of Monroe's "How To Rebuild Your Small Block Ford". According to 
Monroe, 260 blocks with casting numbers C20E-F and C30E-B used intake 
valves with a diameter of 1.59 inches. These were blocks made in '62 & 
'63, he says.Later blocks, with casting # C40E-B, manufactured in '64, 
used 1.67 inch valves. Ron raises the possibility that some of the early 
blocks may have been used in Tigers. According to Monroe, the changeover 
to the C40 blocks took place in February '63. Assuming the heads were 
changed at the same time (probably a big assumption), the question then 
becomes, "when were the Tiger engines purchased?"Does anyone have an 
answer?It seems that I remember seeing the purchase dates for the 
different engine batches, but I cannot remember where.

The other interesting piece of information from Monroe is that the early 
blocks (presumably the C20 & C30 numbered) had two freeze plugs on each 
side of the block as well as 6-inch engine mount hole spacing. Later 
blocks (after Feb '63) had three freeze plugs and 7-inch spacing. If 
anyone has an early Tiger (vinyl dash?), perhaps they could climb under 
and take a look at the engine in their car and tell us how many freeze 
plugs it has.

None of this is probably definitive, but it might help sorting it all 
out.Many thanks to Ron for all his efforts in collecting as much 
information as he has.

Cheers,

Tod

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