M18 engine head milling

[sorner]

Originally Posted by olds45512

Before this great debate gets locked I'm gonna go ahead and say that it's nice to see coop and Jon on the same side for once.

ten characters

[Club Cadet]

I do not have the answer to the original question but I think I understand what you are asking.

You would like to know how much to mill the heads to increase the compression ratio to the point where you have to run higher octane fuel to keep it from detonating (aka spark knock / aka pinging). As I understand it, this is usually a quick and inexpensive way to increase engine HP on water cooled engines like a small block V8. I don't think air cooled engines respond as well to this trick due to the limited cooling capacity of the air cooled engine design. Increasing the compression ratio increases ignition temperature. The valve in block design is also fighting you. Its design is also inefficient compared to an overhead valve engine like a small block V8. I think the flat head engine design responds better to increase air flow work of bigger cam/larger valves/ carb work/exhaust work than a bump in compression ratio.

You are also starting with a twin cylinder M18. These engines do not seem to be the choice for hot rodding. I'm not sure why - maybe because they already have 18HP and great torque from the twin cylinder design? Maybe they are too heavy in the wrong places for a pulling setup?

[Club Cadet]

My bad

After I posted I saw there were 5 pages to this thread and I'm just beating a dead horse

[1711Cub]

Originally Posted by Club Cadet

I do not have the answer to the original question but I think I understand what you are asking.

You would like to know how much to mill the heads to increase the compression ratio to the point where you have to run higher octane fuel to keep it from detonating (aka spark knock / aka pinging). As I understand it, this is usually a quick and inexpensive way to increase engine HP on water cooled engines like a small block V8. I don't think air cooled engines respond as well to this trick due to the limited cooling capacity of the air cooled engine design. Increasing the compression ratio increases ignition temperature. The valve in block design is also fighting you. Its design is also inefficient compared to an overhead valve engine like a small block V8. I think the flat head engine design responds better to increase air flow work of bigger cam/larger valves/ carb work/exhaust work than a bump in compression ratio.

You are also starting with a twin cylinder M18. These engines do not seem to be the choice for hot rodding. I'm not sure why - maybe because they already have 18HP and great torque from the twin cylinder design? Maybe they are too heavy in the wrong places for a pulling setup?

While these are a great, proven engine, there is little to no factory or aftermarket support for them. They are thirsty, and the Command took over with more power and efficiency. The Command is still produced, so if tricking out a twin cylinder air cooled engine is your thing, that would be the way to go.