Podium Newsletter. Feb-March 2013

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Buddy Barnaby Simpson
6 years ago
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A future puller I am very proud to announce the arrival of a son, Benjamin Cole Peterson, who was born on February 25 th. He is a healthy kid that weighed in at 7lbs 15oz and 20in long.

1 Podium Newsletter Feb-March 2013 Welcome to the Podium Club! The information found at is like no other information out there. The tips, tricks and secrets of successful tractor pulling are designed to improve your performance at the next tractor pull, while having more fun at the same time. A future puller I am very proud to announce the arrival of a son, Benjamin Cole Peterson, who was born on February 25 th. He is a healthy kid that weighed in at 7lbs 15oz and 20in long. Mother and baby are doing very well. His older sister Ava adores her new little brother. Ava already loves tractors and insists on helping drive the riding mower, so she has a lot to teach Ben in the coming years. On a side note, how come nobody mentioned having two kids takes 4 times as much work? Haha by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 1

Cylinder head volumes were not well advertised or documented for many makes and models of antique tractors. This leads to most folks figuring out volumes either by measurement or calculation.

2 How to find the volume of a cylinder head First off, why is it valuable to know the volume of a cylinder head? In engine modification that increases bore and/or stroke, the head volume is helpful to calculate compression ratios for a particular piston bore/stroke combo. Cylinder head volumes were not well advertised or documented for many makes and models of antique tractors. This leads to most folks figuring out volumes either by measurement or calculation. The easiest way to measure a cylinder head volume is to fill the empty combustion chamber with fluid and measure how much fluid is used. The easiest fluid to use is of course water, but it takes careful measurement to ensure accuracy. Using the example of a Continental cylinder head with an oddly shaped combustion chamber, here s how it s done. The tools required are a syringe, a level, a piece of glass, and a cup of water. Continental Flathead Combustion chamber (notice shape) 2013 by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 2

How to find the volume of a cylinder head (cont) Set the cylinder head on a flat surface.

Next, set the piece of glass over the combustion chamber, leaving a small sliver exposed to fill the chamber with water.

Make sure the syringe has no air bubbles in it and also keep track of the total number of cc s fed into the chamber.

3 How to find the volume of a cylinder head (cont) Set the cylinder head on a flat surface. Using the level, make sure the cylinder head is as flat as possible. Next, set the piece of glass over the combustion chamber, leaving a small sliver exposed to fill the chamber with water. Using the syringe ($4.99 from the feed store as shown, 60mL capacity), fill the chamber with water. Make sure the syringe has no air bubbles in it and also keep track of the total number of cc s fed into the chamber. For those not familiar with units 1 cubic centimeter (cc) is equal to 1 milliliter (ml). Combustion chamber volume is often expressed in cc s by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 3

Almost full (notice sliver in upper left corner) Chamber full of water In this example, the head shown has a combustion chamber volume of 220cc.

4 How to find the volume of a cylinder head (cont) So why the piece of glass? Water has surface tension and is tough to tell when the chamber is full. With the glass over the chamber, which is flat, it becomes very easy to tell when the chamber is full. Almost full (notice sliver in upper left corner) Chamber full of water In this example, the head shown has a combustion chamber volume of 220cc. On the engine, this made a dismal original compression ratio of 5.7:1. On a similar head with a smaller chamber, the volume was measured at 175cc, which made it 6.7:1 compression ratio. One other thing to measure when doing this type of work is the head gasket thickness. Always measure the thickness of a used head gasket. The head gasket also contains a volume when crushed between the head and block. This volume has to be accounted for when doing calculations. In the case of the above cylinder head, the head gasket volume had to be measured in a similar fashion since the shape isn t round. For calculations, there is an online calculator that is VERY valuable. Take a look at this: Special thanks to Mark Valentine for the advice in measuring head volume and for the link to the online calculator by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 4

THE NEW PRINT RUN IS HERE! Ever thought about investing in The Antique Tractor Pull Guide book series to further explore tractor pulling theory and gain an edge on your competition? Now is the time!

5 THE NEW PRINT RUN IS HERE! Ever thought about investing in The Antique Tractor Pull Guide book series to further explore tractor pulling theory and gain an edge on your competition? Now is the time! 2013 could be your biggest year! Available NOW at the THREE PACK of Antique Tractor Pull Guide books. Pack includes: URGENT UPDATE! The Antique Tractor Pull Guide: 7 Powerful Secrets of a Podium Finish The Antique Tractor Pull Guide: Ground Speeds The Antique Tractor Pull Guide: Gearing All for a low $97 that includes FREE SHIPPING Available only at Over 280 pgs of knowledge! Here s a small sample of inventory! Many, many more copies are in stock now! 2013 by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 5

Organizational Tip of the Month Here is a great way to keep bolts and nuts organized when working on a project.

This ensures bolts and nuts don t get away or get lost.

One other advantage to using zip lock bags is that all hardware can be stored in one box. The zip lock bags keep hardware separated and tidy.

6 Organizational Tip of the Month Here is a great way to keep bolts and nuts organized when working on a project. These are zip lock bags that are marked with a sharpie showing the contents. Why zip lock bags? This ensures bolts and nuts don t get away or get lost. In the past hanging bins on a wall 2002 were used, but inevitably the bins would get knocked or tipped over, spilling the contents. One other advantage to using zip lock bags is that all hardware can be stored in one box. The zip lock bags keep hardware separated and tidy. When it s time to use the hardware again, simply open the bag and use it. There is no searching for loose bolts or confusion about which bolts go where. A box of zip lock bags and a black sharpie pen are a cheap investment that save lots of time on any pulling project by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 6

7 Engine Geometry & The Offset Grind Below is a diagram showing many different terms associated with an internal combustion engine. For antique pulling, the piston compression height or sometimes called pin height, connecting rod length and rod journal diameter are three important factors to consider when making engine modifications. Some antique engines used large enough rod journal diameters that they can be offset ground for a little added stroke. An offset grind simply turns down the diameter of the rod journal, but mainly grinding material off the inside of the circular cross section. This shifts the center of the rod journal further out for added throw. It s sort of an economical way to stroke an engine but does not typically add much by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 7

8 Engine Geometry & The Offset Grind (cont) So how does the offset grind affect the stroke? In short, the amount of diameter reduced for an offset grind is the amount gained in stroke of the crankshaft. For example, if a rod journal is 2.25 in diameter and an offset grind is done to a 2.00 journal, the reduction in diameter is This means the new total piston travel will be 0.25 further (0.125 further down and further up). See below diagram. New rotation circle Offset ground rod journal A true stroker engine would have more added stroke than a 0.25, which would require welding to add material and grinding at great expense. This is why an offset grind is an easy way to gain a few cubic inches with very little added expense, if any. One thing to also consider is that a smaller diameter crank pin connecting rod must be used with an offset grind, thus starting the search for the perfect rod to fit the engine by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 8

Engine Geometry & The Offset Grind (cont) With the offset grind, the piston travel is slightly higher in the bore, which may affect piston deck clearance and ultimately compression ratio.

9 Engine Geometry & The Offset Grind (cont) With the offset grind, the piston travel is slightly higher in the bore, which may affect piston deck clearance and ultimately compression ratio. This is also why it is important to find pistons and connecting rods that yield the desired compression ratio. Many antique tractor engines used pistons that have very tall compression height. In today s more modern engines, pistons with shorter compression heights are much more common since pistons are much lighter and engines run at higher RPM. When considering rod length for an engine, always use the longest rod possible with a shorter piston compression height. Why is this important? The geometry is sort of complicated, but a longer rod puts more of a tangential load on the crankshaft for a longer period of time than a shorter rod. Bottom line is that a longer connecting rod produces more torque for the engine. The offset grind, piston compression height, and rod length will be shown in more detail as a real demonstration in the Massey Harris 101 Senior s engine in the next issue of the Podium Newsletter. capbrosms@gmail.com 2013 by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 9

Podium Member Spotlight Jason Birdsong Hello Zack, My name is Jason Birdsong, I am from Prospect, TN. I am a row crop farmer by trade, tractor puller by passion.

10 Podium Member Spotlight Jason Birdsong Hello Zack, My name is Jason Birdsong, I am from Prospect, TN. I am a row crop farmer by trade, tractor puller by passion. I got into pulling in the spring of My brother in law carried me to a pull where he was pulling his Super M Farmall. I was allowed to pull it, and that's where it happened. I was hooked! In the search for a tractor I was looking for an Allis Chalmers. This is what I was brought up on and still farm with them today! I had my heart set on a D19 so I could compete with my Brother in Law. The search is still on, I haven't found one yet, but I did find a WD. The 1950 WD had been on the pulling track, it had weight racks on both ends and a makeshift hitch. I made the purchase and the quest began. I quickly became a family affair, with my two Sons, my Daughter, My Dad and Uncle, along with myself pulling. We began in the 3500# farm stock, and pulled in the 4000,4500. We had a severe power issue, finally I tore into it. Changing governor springs, some carburetor modifications and now we were beginning to compete. After a long summer and various clubs, we had destroyed the original engine. The lack of rules pretty much allowed us any RPM; enough said... A replacement engine was built and installed, along with a custom carburetor, and a tire upgrade. We learned there is no replacement for displacement, adding several CID's we were a lot stronger, and technically still legal for the farm stock but after pulling it the first time we decided we were "out of class" and moved up. Once again we became the under dog, the rules for the "antique" classes allowed big tires high RPM, we kept upgrading and trying things, we began to decorate the trophy shelf. I placed 4th in the div. 1 Farm stock in Tunica Miss., this was a big thing for me. The kids got a Facebook page started, "Totally Ballistic Pulling Team", I have pretty much told the story from start to current along with pictures. Check it out. Totally Ballistic at Tunica 2013 by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 10

11 Podium Members Want to be a part of the Podium Newsletter? If you re interested in sharing your pride and joy, send an to zack@antiquetractorpullguide.com. Answer the following questions: - Your Name and where you're from - How you got into pulling - What clubs you like to pull with - Tractor Make/Model/Year - Picture or two of your tractor - Classes you pull in - One or two things you've learned in pulling that has helped (I'm not asking you to spill the beans or give away your best secrets, but simply share a tip or story) Jack, I just wanted to let you know that I have finally completed my 1948 John Deere G tractor that you modified my camshaft for. We put it on the dyno tonight and my buddies were impressed with its performance and I certainly attribute this to your cam grind. It produced 68 hp off the pto and it held it good. For a stock stroke tractor running stock rpms I am certainly impressed. This Friday & Saturday I plan on taking it pulling so I am anxious to see how it does. Thank you again for your services. Greg 2013 by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 11

12 Podium Newsletter Feb-March 2013 Coming next month The offset grind put to use Massey Harris 101 Sr. engine reveal Podium Members And more I want to hear from you! If you have feedback, requests or information you would like featured, please send an to: zack@antiquetractorpullguide.com. April issue will be available 4/24/13 Pure excitement 2013 by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC 12

Welcome to the Podium Premium Club! how and why Engine Run

Welcome to the Podium Premium Club! The technical information found at www.antiquetractorpullguide.com is like no other information out there. In depth explanation of the how and why of successful tractor