All the heads will fit, but the combustion chamber on the smaller ones (172.6 and 184) might lower compression on the 195.6). The 172.6 only had a 7.25:1 compression ratio (1950-52... 41-49 only had 6.8:1). The 184 had 7.0:1 50-52, 7.45:1 in the 53 Statesman, 7.25:1 in 53-54 Rambler. The 196 started in the Statesman in 1952 with 7.1:1 compression, up to 7.45:1 in 53-56. When the L-head was reintroduced in 58 for the American compression went back up to 8.0:1 and stayed there through the end (1965). I don't know if they all used flat top pistons like the 196 or the smaller ones used dished pistons, but I'm willing to bet they all used flat pistons and controlled compression by combustion chamber volume -- easier to do it that way on a flat-head. The aftermarket aluminum heads would be Edmunds or Fenton, don't know of any others (might be though!). They were designed to boost compression by around a point, so they should be close to stock compression with the 196's longer stroke. Nash made a two carb head for the 196 only in 1956 for the Statesman, and that was a limited run (don't know how many), and is rather rare. The aftermarket heads are all finned that I know of, if it's not finned it will be the Nash head. Even if you lose a little compression, you should make up for it in carb, and should get a slight gain in power. Not sure it will be noticeable, but the dual carb head does look cool. Just make sure the carbs are perfectly matched -- MUST have the same size jets and all in them or you'll burn a piston -- usually #1 or #6. Benn there, done that, ain't fun or purty!! Nash also made a 2V carb head, which should be easier to find. The 53-56 Statesman had a Carter WCD 2V head. One source says the Statesman got a 1V or 2V in 54, but I think that's wrong. I'm not sure if the 2V head is aluminum or cast iron, it's been a LOOOONG time since I saw one close up.
---------- Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:13:37 -0500 From: "Rocky Lear" <lear31@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "AMC/Rambler owners, drivers and fans." <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [AMC-list] 2 carb head for the Rambler flathead engines Message-ID: <B896451127984C23BFC2F17600B1C409@madmax1984PC> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" I've seen a few of these circulate through ebay. Does anyone have any leads on one? Will that work on the final years of the flathead 6 around 64 or 65? -- Frank SwygertPublisher, "American Motors Cars" Magazine (AMC)
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