How Does An Ardun OHV Conversion Work??

While visiting Ronnie Roadster Matt filmed a ton of footage while talking with Ron. We wanted to put together a video showing exactly how an Ardun OHV Conversion works for a Ford Flathead engine. Ron is a wealth of knowledge and has over 100k miles on his blue 32 Ford Roadster that's powered by a blown Ardun. Ron shows us the inner workings of an Ardun valvetrain and some of the tricks that are needed to get them running correctly. A huge thank you to Ron and his wife Laura for letting us visit and film!!
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[@TheDiamondback73]

I never realized how complicated these conversions were. Thanks for the lesson! Not that I will ever be able to make use of it. LOL! Always great content! 👍

[@radioguy1620]

True but I took mental notes anyway, the more obscure and un needed the more you retain. !

[@radioguy1620]

Gee that kind of sounds like a law of something or other.

[@kyleforeman4543]

All that knowledge for back in the day

[@kyleforeman4543]

Tks Matt an Mike for sharing allways interesting history,cause without them ,it will be a sad day if it's not passed on

[@donnlowe9129]

It's nice to watch Ron explain what he does to make these Arduns work.

[@J.R.in_WV]

Zora Arkus Duntov made OHV flatheads work…Ron is just making them work a little better.

[@jarvislarson6864]

​@@J.R.in_WVand Zora outdid himself with the small block chevy and made the flathead inferior...the sbc has won more races than any other engine worldwide spanning 40+ years and powered more cars than any other engine...a legendary masterpiece

[@brianhdueck3372]

Ron and Laura are such down to earth people it sparks a little hope for mankind after all the stuff we’ve endured the past year and a half. I have watched some of their videos and have enjoyed every second of it. Thanks Matt for this pit stop. Most enjoyable.

[@hotrodmama1932]

Thank you!!

[@kierenalvarez]

I LOVE people like this. Best convos i have ever had

[@duser2326]

So much knowledge so many stories. I grew up un the 50s and 60s and thought i knew a lot about cars. I KNEW NOTHING when you listen to these guys. Thanks for sharing and saving these stories.

[@2packs4sure]

Thank you !! I've wanted to see a detailed look into the Ardun conversion for a few decades now,, lol.. Thoroughly enjoyed this!

[@randyrobey5643]

Those Ardun heads are huge. Great video.

[@LiteNingR0d]

The man is such a wealth of knowledge. I could listen to him all day! Thanks for sharing this.

[@kurtludwig4783]

Absolutely awesome! This is nearly wizard lore folklore. An awesome video series. Thanks for the entertainment. Finding original parts to running, can’t wait to hear and see your car running. Thanks Matt and Mike

[@grandudetonesnob7107]

I'm enjoying the east coast hot rod scene! Keep it coming.

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

The nostalgia of this set up is the only thing that makes me dig it. My sensible side says, just use a later OHV engine from the era or leave it as a flatty. But man when they are together and running it just screams cool, I guess that’s the point.

[@alterexistence483]

Man this visit with Ron was amazing, I hope you guys do this again soon. Thank Matt , Mike and Ron this was to cool

[@tomnekuda3818]

I still remember the first Ardun conversion I saw as a young fella. I thought that they were the absolute sexiest-looking engine I'd ever seen and I still do. Between the Ardun and the 426 Street Hemi I could look at or work on 'em all day. Like the fella said, "Looks about like my shop." That's the truth in my case, too. When my wife gets near it she throws up her hands in despair. I guess she doesn't appreciate beauty....sigh..... As I watched this upload I was surprised how very simple the Ardun heads are to put on the flathead block; about all a guy needs is the torque specs.

[@Doohickey68]

Kick ass awesome. I could listen to what he’s dishing out all day. He has so much info it just seems to spill out with no effort. Great two videos.

[@2011joser]

Thanks for posting this video. I have seen photos and videos of the heads for many years but never such a thorough explanation of how they work. Great work.

[@henryg683]

Thanks for sharing this update on all the old gold Matt found at the engine builders shop a true legend of engine building from what I could tell awesomeness!!!!!!

[@chuckster6513]

Hey Matt, I first saw an ARDUN engine when I was about 12 years old. When I was told what it was I could not get over the fact that it could be built from a flat head. I got to hear the engine run as it made a pass on the 1/4 mile track at Colton, Calif. 60 years later I still feel the excitment when I see an ARDUN engine. Thank you for the great video.

[@charlesyoung7436]

Wow! So, an ARDUN converts a flathead to a fathead? This is a great episode.

[@scottworelds2933]

No, makes a flathead and overhead valve. Zora did this and also the SBC for GM in 1955.

[@marzsit9833]

@@scottworelds2933 actually makes a flathead into an overhead-valve hemi.

[@muphfab]

Don’t worry, Charles. I got it. 😉

[@threynolds2]

I can read. I got it.

[@robertszymanski7804]

Hi Matt and Mike, can your episodes be any more exciting? Another outstanding feature!!! Your always outdoing the previous clips.

[@dombutler7685]

Really interesting, always wondered how they were put together.

[@tractordave9300]

Ron is a wealth of knowledge and it needs to be passed on! WOW

[@richardarthur8191]

Thanks for the video Mike, very helpful and how to the right way.

[@allysonhanks7367]

Hello Richard, how are you doing. I hope you are safe and in good health. Looking for a new friend and i saw your pic here. I hope you don't mind thank you.

[@billmiller7138]

Ronnie is obviously THE guy!

[@AndyGeesGarage]

Thanks for sharing this. All this info is invaluable and it doesn’t just apply to Arduns but to any ohv that is getting serious modifications.

[@daviddaniels6473]

This series just keeps getting better! Such a wealth of gear head knowledge getting spread around. Thanx guys!!!

[@lazyeyedmodeler-woodyworkshop]

Great interesting information and look around the shop. Thanks Matt and Mike for the cool extra episode. Much appreciated.

[@hotrodmyk]

Very informative, Thanks to Ron!

[@qwiked]

Thanks so much for the additional footage…most excellent!

[@ryand.8176]

Awesome! You must be excited to be getting your motor to him! Can not wait to see/hear it!

[@marksaunders2398]

Thanks Matt and Mike for a very entertaining video love it

[@jimandlinsnow7002]

More fun stuff. Thanks for the extra video.

[@davidvansickle563]

Both videos are awesome to watch. Thanks for sharing them with us👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@genehart261]

THE coolest hot rod engine EVER!

[@DennisMurphey]

Yes Awesome video, loved seeing the ARDUN parts off and on to show the interfaces and mechanical design involved. Wonderful. From a Flat head to a Hemi in one feel swoop. God I would love have and build such an engine. SO rare and so Hot Rod Engineered. Thank You very much for posting, I may have to get back on your list now. Dennis

[@hankpugh4980]

Guys like Ron are few and far between. Ive sure enjoyed these videos with him.

[@matthewfocke5360]

Thanks Mike! Informative with good camera work.

[@shotsrodder]

What a collection 🥰

[@MrGixxer1300r]

Awesome content Mike and Matt I really enjoy seeing these kind of places

[@freebird7284]

gonna have to watch this several times, thanks!

[@georgef1176]

Omg that blue roadster is drop dead gorgeous

[@hotrodmama1932]

Thank you George F!!! !

[@rogerfrancis65]

Fascinating ingenuity to get the job done.

[@danielkeel9265]

Awesome! I'd never heard of Ardun heads before you guys scored those. Don't imagine any made it to Australia. Fascinating to hear Ron's explanation of what mods are needed to make a 100k mile engine, with that oil feed and the clearances for the pushrods etc. Matt, you are gonna have a Killer engine when you get it back! So cool (and hot!).

[@darrenandjacquibromell3165]

Daniel, im in Coffs Harbour and have a set running in my 32 ford. Cheers

[@johndonlon1611]

In my next life I will pay more attention to detail in high school metal shop. I only read about Ardun set-ups in 1960s hot rod magazines and never actually seeing one I figured it was a matter of buying the kits and dropping it in place. Oops! Fantastic video--50 years too late for me but a gold mine of information.

[@timrayburn2461]

Great video.Such a nice couple.

[@rickeagle]

You guys are getting better all the time!

[@user-ce1pm6yr9q]

ARDUN is the acronym for the designer Arkus Duntov, the father of the Corvette.

[@edwinjstephens4958]

Just can't get enough gotta keep coming back to the dream shop love it so awesome

[@williamdavis3509]

Love the old "Flatties". Got one in my garage that I wish I had a project for.😀👍✌️🖖🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸♥️ de flat 8s‼️

[@Dragineez774]

Love the Aperture Science logo on the PC back there... This was a triumph. We do what we must, because we can.

[@pennyshotrodscustoms]

Very good video Matt. Love the that hand made Ardun intake.

[@Barefoottaz1]

Awesome show. Great information.

[@jamesdamrom751]

It's real cool he's humble!👍👍😀😀

[@N-Scale]

Lots of cool stuff in there and a cool guy !!!

[@frankjamann5671]

Very interesting and enjoyable video, thanks guys

[@rodjames2]

Great episode Matt! Your Arden conversion is getting exciting can hardly to see it installed, running and turning wheels.

[@JulianFoley]

A brilliant video. One to keep.

[@eppyschopshop]

Too cool! I just finally got my 8ba pulled apart. Dug it put of the ground %100 locked up.

[@brucerosati9434]

Incredible.I had no idea that was even possible.

[@lautburns4829]

At that time (47) we had amazing engineers, just coming off WW2 and building some of the most amazing aircraft engines. 👍

[@marydesmond9595]

actually, the kit was designed by Zora ARkus DUNtov (ARDUN), Mr. Corvette, for Ford to help flathead powered trucks thru the western mountains.

[@lautburns4829]

@@marydesmond9595 yes he was a great engineer. Split window 63 vett and that 30-30 Duntov cam that we all went out and ordered as soon as it was available from Chevy! Fun times.

[@kentstephens4770]

That's a wild setup.

[@edspencer7121]

12:44 an original early Performer RPM Airgap.

[@N1RKW]

I did not know that those even existed! Very cool!

[@georgef1176]

Such a cool design.

[@dnaas2568]

SO COOL I NEVER SAW THEM TAKEN APART

[@giannirocco7492]

I remember them Arduns quite well.Back in the day they weren't over the top expensive and you could get some serious horsepower gains if you knew what you were doing.But today they're crazy expensive and when you put them on top of the flathead Ford you won't get the power a decent OHV makes all on it's own.But the "cool factor" is second to none!I respect and even envy anyone who has one of those things,pure awesomeness!!!

[@kelleysimonds5945]

Great stuff!

[@slecroix]

Ronnie needs a friend with a water jet machine. Cuts dead soft copper like butter with no distortion or burrs. Have helped make many copper head gaskets for vintage motorcycles using this method.

[@dieseldabz7104]

Or a Plasma table

[@slecroix]

@@dieseldabz7104 good luck plasma-cutting dead soft copper with no burr or distortion

[@juanf4739]

Awesome content, thank you!!!!

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! GREAT VIDEO & EDUCATION!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!

[@stevesgarage7270]

To cool 😎 he knows his stuff love the shop

[@dano4572]

beautiful stuff!!

[@patrickmuraszewski3606]

Wow that was great 👍

[@brenohighland1168]

you learn something every day

[@joepepi7394]

Great video!

[@PecanRanch]

a full Ardun education...thanks

[@HailAnts]

This is really neat from a historical perspective, but I hope he’s only building these for museums. Converting a flathead to overhead valve to actually run in a car is the silliest thing I can imagine!

[@jimtandlmayer9146]

Loved the Sunshine Beer & Reading beer signs , must be in Reading Pa .

[@cowboychevyschneider]

keep the great work

[@robertphillips3078]

Never seen an Ardun OHV Head . Think l have heard of them . How Good were they back in the day. Exotic. It would Awesome to have the right hotrod 2 drop one of these old ⏰'ers in2 something super special. Thx 4 sharing guys .

[@jimschafer9196]

Great brain share on how to rod an Arden correctly.

[@jameswallace7351]

Great job and video I'd love to have that for my 53 it would be awesome

[@peteradely885]

Must see to believe. Someone really did a great job of engineering.

[@donames6941]

Thanks guys now I see how it all works you know for a long time I thought it was just covers over the flathead cause I never seen one run

[@Mercmad]

In New Zealand,a Company called B/C made flat head covers for just that purpose.

[@randykirchhevel7311]

Great information

[@JAWSatBCPerformance]

Oh baby!! Good stuff here! Aloha

[@danielmarek4609]

I'm very familiar with the Ardun set up. A friend of mine bought up a lot of Flat Head speed parts in the 60's and 70's, including several Ardun head set ups. He also has vintage period correct blower set ups, multi carb set ups etc etc etc. Now that he's retired he periodically will put something up for sale, usually on EBay, and watches the bids go up.

[@dieseldabz7104]

I'm in Massachusetts and have some customers/friends regularly do restorations for and they probably own at least 20-25 early Ford Model T's and A's including a VERY rare 1913 Speedster that was in a movie many years ago now. These people have $$ and have zero problem buying up everything old and Ford that they come across and I'm willing to bet they'd buy everything he has assuming the price isn't Insanity.

[@timwarlick1565]

Very interesting stuff

[@lonnygil]

Beautiful engine

[@EastTxCobb]

That home made intake is so damn cool

[@jimsmirh2406]

Those heads are very cool.

[@michaelguinn5736]

Morning Matt & Mike, I definitely understand your interest, my interest is in something very similar, maybe not quite as rare, the Boss 429 Ford engines, you can bolt these heads on a stock 429-460 block, but you have to do the rocker shaft oiling very similar to the Ardun oiling system is done....great & interesting video!! As I mentioned before, your Ardun project is in very capable hands!!!! God Bless!!!!

[@eac1235]

Wow ! Never heard of dual overhead cams on a 429. Interesting

[@michaelguinn5736]

@@eac1235 woops, my mistake!!!!

[@patrickkennedy2533]

1:24 this engine mount is amazing

[@xozindustries7451]

Amazing

[@johnlloyd2390]

Curious Bit Of Trivia: The "Ardun" cylinder head conversion was invented by Zora Arkus-Dutov -- the same man who created the Corvette. He thought it up while racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The "Ardun" name is a combination of ARkus and DUNtov. His birth name was Zachary Arkus. His mother divorced and later remarried a man named Duntov, so he took both last names and hyphenated them. "Arkus & Duntov" was the name of the Ardun Mechanical Corporation in New York, which he and his brothers ran during the 1940s. The heads were designed by George Kudasch, as a cure for overheating in flat-head Ford V-8s.

[@richardprice5978]

so more of a reliability mod than a power mod that's funny lol 😂

[@dsloop3907]

Duntov.......

[@buchananautosalesllc7855]

AWESOME THANKS

[@pedroequis9396]

Luv it !

[@jeanlawson9133]

Awesome 😎

[@eac1235]

Really interesting! This seems like a nearly lost art.

[@robertevans6481]

I could listen to him all day. Still her ride is wicked,like his a well...

[@hotrodmama1932]

Thank you!

[@allysonhanks7367]

Hello, how are you doing. I hope you are safe and in good health. Looking for a new friend and i saw your pic here. I hope you don't mind thank you.

[@hotrodmama1932]

@@allysonhanks7367 Sorry he is married. 🙄🤨