Who holds the "Y" block land speed record, any one know?

machanist1

Great question.  Karol Miller has the most recognized speed record, but I'm sure there are other Y-Blocks that have gone faster in coupes or roadsters.  A colleague and mentor tells me of the days when he used to race a Y-Block in a 34 coupe.  He said they did something north of 170mph.

That is fast, but I believe there were probably even faster cars.  I talked to a youngster last year who was building a 32 roadster with a 671 blown Y and his goal was 200.  His father has landspeed experience and I don't doubt they will give it a good try.

Of course, there are no engine designations on the records set at landspeed events, so it would be hard to verify.  At any rate, it would be great to hear if anyone out there has reliable info on previously fast Y-Blocks (don't forget Australia).

Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)







BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

Back in Karol's era Knot Farrington was running a blown Y in a streamlined T-Bird, but I can't recall his speeds.  He later put a Chrysler Hemi in it.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

And went slower??????? ha,ha.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

The battle bird went over 200 at Daytona I believe in 1957, i think it was around 211 mph one way with a blown 312.

-Gary Burnette-

The Battle Bird.

http://www.tbirdsbygil.com/Battle%20Bird.htm

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z15200/Ford-Battlebird.aspx

-jyrki from Finland-

www.hollowheads.net

Gary,

I have to tell you, even with Jyrki's links, I had a hard time believing that a Y in a T-Bird could go 200 mph+ in 1957.  So, a little research was in order.

As a general rule of thumb, it takes about 700 to 800 hp to make 200 mph with a door slammer.  Aerodynamics of course makes a big difference.  With the small frontal plane of the BattleBird, I still felt like it would take at least 600 hp to generate that kind of speed.  Oh, me of little faith.

After a little google help, I found out that there were four T-Birds prepped for the 1957 Daytona SpeedWeek.  Two were in pretty much stock trim and factory power with no mention of "E or "F" code engines.  One went 135 and the other went 138.  Pretty good I'd say.

The third was a BattleBird and had 430 Lincoln power with no mention of induction.  It was driven by Danny Eames and set a record in B Modified Sports at 160.356.

The fourth bird was BattleBird #98 driven by Church Daigh.  The Y was stroked to 348 cu. in. and fed by Hilborn fuel injection.  There were no speed numbers given with an attempt to run naturally aspirated, but it is said that they added a supercharger and did just what you said.

According to the book "Thunderbird Milestones", by Mike Mueller and a report from the "Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland", the #98 BattleBird did 205 mph on a down leg and broke on the return run and therefore no record was set.  As it is at Bonneville, the average of two passes were required within a period of time at Daytona to set a record.  And so the speed just became a footnote.

The report said that the addition of the supercharger while staying with the high compression just destroyed the engine.  No mention of changing the Hilborn unit or whether it was a blow thru or draw thru system.  There was no mention of the brand or type of supercharger either.

Well, that got my thinking up.  Let's keep looking (and trying), who knows, perhaps there is or will be even faster Ys.

Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)







BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

Charlie, I just started the clock and I'm waiting to hear some news... .

BTW, how is your Comet progressing?

 Seppo from Järvenpää, Finland
www.hollowheads.net (just click the hole in the head to proceed)

Slightly off topic Charlie, but speaking of your Comet, are you going to be undertaking any kind of fund raising activities for your Comet's run?

My name is Greg and I am addicted to Y's.

Seppo and Greg,

I am slowly, but steadily working on the Comet, I just haven't reached a point that is worthy of pictures to post, hopefully I will have something for you soon (keep an eye on the BonnevilleComet thread).

As for a fund raiser, nothing promotional wise is planned, but I have been selling quite a bit of the Y-Block stash (thanks to a lot of you.....and Tim) and that has helped me purchase new Goodyear landspeed tires, custom wheels, Moon wheel disks and a 14 point roll cage kit (yep....14 point) from Alston's Chassisworks.  I am currently finishing the front and rear suspension which includes front and rear anti-roll (sway) bars, and a rear watts link.

Thanks for asking..............Charlie

Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)







BurnsRacing981@gmail.com