Ask the Expert
On this page, we hosted a feature whereby hot rodders could ask a personal question of our Expert of the Month via e-mail. The Expert, most often a pioneer, would answer the question over the telephone to us, and we would then post an audio clip on this page (see below). Unfortunately, we have had to end the feature, primarily because most of the pioneers did not want to answer a question “off the cuff”, but wanted instead to think it through, write it out, and then read it. We felt we were asking too much of them. In addition, many questions we received were not about hot rod history or traditional builds, but more about a muscle car or street rod (or even a question better put to Click and Clack!). So we were forever writing e-mails to say, “sorry, we can’t ask them that one.”
At any rate, we now have a nice archive of questions, many answered by the pioneers themselves, and we hope you will find this fun and useful.
Thanks to all rodders who participated in Ask the Expert!
Browse our Q & A Archives
Category: Carbs, Fuel and Intake
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QUESTION
will pure 100% propylene glycol coolant help my ford flathead run cooler than a 50-50 mix, such as Evans or Prestone?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
This is my first try at building a flattie so consider me a rookie in regards to flatheads. My 48 Merc coupe was done in the 5os and equipped with an early "block letter" Edelbrock "regular" hi rise with duel 97s, fentons and milled stock heads. I am restoring it to when it was first hot rodded. My question are how do those early hi rise intakes perform against todays intakes? My last question is what type of flywheel- light aluminum or the stock heavy steel would you suggest for a car the weighs in at 3300 lbs? I enjoy all the early pictures on the site.
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I'm helping out on a Bonneville car with an injected alky flathead and was wondering if the addition of a "dial-a-jet" to the fuel system and an O2 sensor would be advisable to change the fuel mix during a run if the tune was not perfect at the start? I have no experence with the salt but think that that's something that coul save a run.
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I am lucky enough to have found an older traditional 276 "full house flattie". The intake is a Edelbrock "regular" hi-rise with duel 97s. My question is should I run with the intake heat riser open or closed off. Also my cam is marked mid shaft with the letters B over AA. It has a small E or P etched on the front. Any ideas on the manufacturer?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
looking for a carb for ford flathead 6 I believe it is a Holley 857any leads?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Hello, I'm trying to find some information of the mackay fuel injection set up.. I don't know anything about it any help would be useful it looks complete besides no distributor cap.. Thanks for your time... Tracy
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Hello, I'm trying to find some information of the mackay fuel injection set up.. I don't know anything about it any help would be useful it looks complete besides no distributor cap.. Thanks for your time... Tracy
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I wanted to find out if my memory is correct. I think I remember the top fuel dragsters using a derivative of nitro glycerine for a fuel sometime during the 60s. I remember tales that mentioned if the fuel spilled on the ground and then dried, it would kinda explode when someone walked on it. I think the safety issue is why NHRA outlawed the use of this fuel. Am I somewhat correct?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I'd like to know about running a flathead on nitro. Did you use carbs or injection at first? How does the percentage effect the jetting?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Otto, I had the pleasure of having some tough old Tri Tip with you and your wife at the Hot Rod Reunion last year. I asked you if you had ever experimented with Ammonia Hydrazine and Nitromethane and you told me a great story about Chuck Potvin and Nitroglycerin. Could you tell that story on here?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
What type of fuel or mix were you using in the Streamliner at that first event?
ANSWER
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