Survey of Ruddspeed valve covers

[dougie]

Nice Score!

 

[Lin]

Looking good, Steve!
Lin

 

[HealeyRick]

Much as I like the valve cover, that manifold is a thing of beauty. What are you planning for an air filter?

 

[HealeyPassion]

Much as I like the valve cover, that manifold is a thing of beauty. What are you planning for an air filter?

Thanks Rick. The air filter hasn't been settle on. I could use a regular filter which is easily sourced (there is room), and I may end up with one of those (pictured). OR, if I can work out the spacing, which isn't that easy, I'll have a cool/fresh air feed from in front of the radiator to a inline filter packaged in the cool air tube. I should know within a month if I can fit the cool air package.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Kirk headers?

 

[Claretannie]

After reading this thread with interest I thought I’d google Ruddspeed and was surprised to find I only live a couple of miles from their premises at the old Brooklands race track in Surrey

 

[HealeyPassion]

Kirk headers?

Bob, well, yes ... for the most part... but the number one pipe has been replaced with one that is not a slip joint and doesn't go around the left side of the engine mount (I don't know why they didn't do this on the originals as the new location tucks in nicely). Then the collectors were replaced with ones more appropriately sized for the engine... 1.75" flange and positioned to improve connectivity. I like the Kirk's because they have smaller primary tubes (1.5") which keep exit velocities higher than would a larger tube. That's better for a street engine which spends most of it's time in mid-range RPM's.

Original unmodified Kirk



Steve

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Nicely done.

 

[TodE]

A few years back, prob. longer than I think. wasn't someone talking about starting up Ruddspeed again. They had a website I know because I responded to them as they were asking about any Ruddspeed mods people had. My tri-carb has Ruddspeed manifolds with HD8 carbs on them.
Good Luck! They look really cool!

 

[HealeyRick]

A few years back, prob. longer than I think. wasn't someone talking about starting up Ruddspeed again. They had a website I know because I responded to them as they were asking about any Ruddspeed mods people had. My tri-carb has Ruddspeed manifolds with HD8 carbs on them.
Good Luck! They look really cool!

Here's the website which doesn't look like it's been updated recently: https://www.ruddspeed.com/index.html They also maintain a Facebook page which has some more recent entries: https://www.facebook.com/ruddspeed

 

[dougie]

Interesting Ruddspeed period upgrades and performance additions....

 

[GregW]

LOL an AM radio costs the same as triple carbs installed.

 

[petnatcar]

I've been reading some old articles on Ken Rudd and Ruddspeed Austin Healey's and just wondering how many of those Ruddspeed valve covers are out there? If you have one, or know of one, please chime in.

View attachment 64701

Steve

Hi Steve,
I haven't seen the RUDD Speed but I just got this one from "Healey Ray" in California.
He does beautiful work.
Good luck,
Peter

 

[HealeyPassion]

Is that your engine Peter? That looks great and I like the intake manifold. I'm familiar with the valve cover, my son has one on his BN6.... good looking piece!
Steve

 

[dougie]

Do I recognize the piston rods in that motor......?

 

[Goldie]

I purchased one around 2005 time frame during major restoration on my 67 and it has been on my car since. I think it is the best valve cover out there. The two hold down bolts provided however did not fit my threadsize in the head so I had to use the captive bolts that were already installed. I hadn't seen them for sale in a while but if you can find one, it is really the best looking cover you will find IMO.

 

[HealeyPassion]

Goldie I'm unsure of which valve cover you are referring to. The thread is asking about the RUDDSPEED valve cover.... Peter's is an extremely nice valve cover that was available from Healey Ray.... are you talking about the Healey Ray valved cover or the RUDDSPEED?

 

[HealeyPassion]

Dougie, my engine has your nice rods!!!... not sure what Peter has in his.