master machinist Ron Bement's 1/3rd scale Offy, Ardun head, and flathead engines

All of his engines are machined on a Bridgeport, a state-of-the-art Fadal CNC machine, a CNC lathe, and an EDM (electrical discharge machine). Before he got interested in mini engines, he ran his own company; RB Enterprises, started in 1965.

I remembered those Offenhauser engines in midget race cars that ran at Lakeside Speedway during the 1950’s. I loved the sound of them and decided an Offenhauser might be a fun build.

As a machinist, he made parts for world famous Jolly Rancher Candies in Denver, Colorado as well as many other small projects. During those early years of his business, Ron got interested in golf and developed a set of investment cast golf (stainless steel) clubs for a former Nugget basketball player and a set for the CEO of Squirt Bottling Company. Two hundred sets were built and sold.

After the Offy, Ron decided he wanted to build the remarkable Ardun engine. He talked a friend out of his genuine 59AB Ford bare-block. It took 4 months to measure the block and enter that information into the computer program. Same with very special valve covers – once entered into the computer, the CNC turned out one Ardun valve cover in sixty-five hours.

http://www.enginelabs.com/engine-tech/engine/master-machinist-ron-bements-13-scale-offy-flathead-and-ardun/

- by Be For