This ARDUN V8 flathead Ford engine OHV conversion was designed and built by Ron Bement, of Colorado, in 2011. Ron’s passion for early hot rods and engines led him to build this miniature 1/3 scale V8 with the ARDUN overhead valve conversion. These overhead conversions were developed by Zora Arkus Duntov (1930s) for use on the Ford V8s to prevent persistent overheating caused by “valve-in-block” flathead designs. Placing the valves overhead within hemispherical chambers also allowed for dramatic increases in the V8’s power; often in excess of 300 HP.
Ron designed and built this engine from scratch. It is machined from aluminum and steel bar stock and there are no castings used. He comments it took over 70 hours to complete each valve cover on his CNC machine. Other parts that appear to be castings were skillfully produced on his EDM machine. It measures 13″-wide, 14″-tall, 18.5″-long, and weighs in at 40 pounds on the stand.
The engine supports two water pumps, dry sump lubrication, high efficiency aluminum radiator, and his custom designed fuel injection system: Of course, it would not be a Bement engine without his signature-trademark “MOON” style accelerator pedal. Mr. Bement says it took 5,000 hours to complete.
