Model A Ford With A Turbo

[DansBlown73Nordic]

I have this doodle bug that I built from a Model A Ford truck. It has a stock model A Ford 4 cylinder motor. We have a club for these "Doodle Bugs" They have started to have pulls like a tractor pull. Im thinking of trying to put a small turbo on it. Im trying to figure out what size turbo I need. These engines only make about 30 H.P. I would only run about 3-4 psi boost.
Im not sure how much the Babbit bearings will take. I have a few motors so If I screw one up. Its not a huge big deal.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/76CNXT0051-med.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/76CNXT0036-med.jpg

[Tahiti350]

For the safety of the motor, and the low boost you are looking at running, I would think about starting with a turbo off of a motorcycle or something similar sized (Geo Metro Turbo, etc). Small, compact, and will spin up with the flow at your lower rpm's. Might look at a set of smoothbore Mikuni's off of a big V-twin to feed it also, would be cool. They would not require a fuel pump, just the gravity feed you already have:idea:.
I would o-ring (mouse ear?) the head gasket just to be safe :D .
GaryB> Tahiti350

[Havasu Hangin']

Laughing gas! :idea:

[mirvin]

That looks like a mess of fun Dan!!! Good job!!
mirvin :rolleyes:

[flattie]

undefined Here si what I did with my model T! I just supercharged it! http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/709DSC02612.JPG

[73kona455]

87-88 thunderbird turbo coupes used a fairly small IHI turbo.. might work well

[lucky]

i wonder if the exsaust off an a would even push a turbo? just take a mouth full of nox and when the time is appropiate - spit it in the carb - lol :D

[Heatseeker]

I've got a small turbo set-up from a Chrysler 2.2. It'd probably be just the right size.
Looks like a kick!

[Jetdriver]

Get yourself a t3 turbo off of a late model volkswagen. You can find them slightly used for a great price! Whats nice is there really small and they spool almost instantly!

[DansBlown73Nordic]

I could throw a small block in it and im sure it would fly. I just thought this would be more fun. At this point I pulled a dump wagon with about 4 tons of stone in it. The brakes were locked on the wagon and I could drag it on the pavement. The front wheels were just off the ground on the "Doodle Bug"
Im going to check out the local junk yard. I have thought of trying a large Mikuni just to see if that made it run better. :rollside:

[pleasantcat]

my granfather had a restored 31 a mailtruck and had a few of those engines around. if you convert to babbit bearings they will take some boost. i would look for a head from edelbrock or offy. the stock heads didnt really lend to making horsepower.
there have been a few guys running these out at bonnie with b&m 177 blowers so let er rip :crossx:

[promod]

you need to think blower motor, my buddy has put a blower motor and turbo's on his pro street truck and is bad ass maybe you need to think about that one it has some crazy plumbing on it :cry:

[Floored]

had a friend who's uncle ran a nostalgia altered with a model "B" motor turboed, direct drive and went 12's.

[likwidsukr]

I think rrr has the supercharger for it :D :D :squiggle:

[old rigger]

Dan66,
I remember talking to you in the past about banger motors. I was into them pretty heavy for many years, mostly hopping up banger T engines which are really hadicapped compared to the more modern A bone. I was in the 4ever4 club here in so cal which was formed in '54 by a bunch of model A freaks and still going strong. A few off-shoots from that club are listed below.
F.A.S.T. was formed after the secrets of speed had a big pissin contest and it forced a split, but both are great for info. FAST is just a news letter and hillclimbs, secrets has gone into the building of speed parts for the A and T.
The other link is for Dan Price. His stuff is VERY nice and he's back East too, close to you. I ran his headers, one of his intakes too.
Some of the members of the 4ever4 club have run turbos on their flathead drag car for over 30 years now and have never had a bearing (babbit) failure. Babbit and inserts is a never ending debate among this crowd. Some of the oldtimers search long and hard for a nice block with the original babbit still in it. They swear by it. Also, contrary to popular belief, the A block is a better starting platform for building a banger over the 32,33 and 34 block which has a counterbalanced crank, presure oiling and a boss for a fuel pump. The castings of the A are much stronger. Well, that's what some say. lol
I'll try to find some pics of the mancillias brothers turbo car on the net for you. They also run a twin engined model a dragster. very cool stuff.
Hope you enjoy the links.....
http://www.hotforhotfours.com/index.html
http://www.dan4banger.com/
http://www.secretsofspeed.com/

[old rigger]

Oh yeah, somewhere on the net is a club devoted to doodlebugs like yours. I'll see if I can't find it too.

[old rigger]

here's one....
http://hometown.aol.com/anttractor/TheDoodlebugs-Page1.html

[old rigger]

and, here's another....
http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=doodlebugs

[DansBlown73Nordic]

I have a very good friend with a pair of antique race cars. They have both been run in the "Great American Race" they have Riley over head conversions. Its funny but they don't even sound like a A motor.
Im sure you have seen a A intake with the vacum port in the side. I think it would be a perfect spot to shoot in some Happy Gas....... :2purples: Im just not sure how much. Im afraid the head may want to pop off..... :frown:
I have seen the other web site but never the Hemmings one. I belong to a club. Most of the guys have never even seen a computer.... :hammerhea In my club I think we have around 40 members. Mostly they do some parades and a few trail rides through out the year.
Once a year they have this pull. They put all the Doodle Bugs in one big heap. V8s with the 4 bangers. I don't really thinks its fair. This year I want to show them a few tricks....... :)