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Technical 8ba flathead

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by ButlerRod&Metal, Dec 9, 2017.

  1. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    Looking at a couple flatheads and weighing my options.

    The first is a 49 unmolested block with a small pin hole in the exhaust valve guide for cylinder one. It missing everything. No main caps, crank, rods, pistons etc. But it also only costs 50 bucks.

    The second is a 1937 tin side v860. For sale by a fellow H.A.M.B. member. This one still has the ford certified reman stickers on it and has everything from pan to intake intact for 700.

    So should I run the smaller engine since it’s all there and available. Or go with the later v8 and buy the whole damn thing over again in missing parts? What would you guys do.


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    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  2. sawbuck
    Joined: Oct 14, 2006
    Posts: 1,911

    sawbuck
    Member
    from 06492 ct

    i would keep looking
     
    3340, Budget36, sidevalve8ba and 2 others like this.
  3. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    Yea. I’ve always been a small block ford kind of guy. So I’m new to this whole flathead thing and man can it get expensive fast. Saw these two options and they seemed the most bang for my buck around where I live.


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  4. RacingRoger
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 208

    RacingRoger
    Member

    Can you even get main caps for the bare block? I myself would negotiate for the complete engine - unless you can still get everything for the bare block.
     
  5. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    I found a couple guys on eBay that have a ton of original main caps fairly cheap. Now if they will all be usable I’m not sure. Yea the complete engine is a good deal compared to what I’m used to seeing. Normally complete flatheads around here are 2k and they look like they picked them up on a diving expedition.


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  6. Model A Gomez
    Joined: Aug 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,783

    Model A Gomez
    Member

    My avatar had a V8 60 in it and it fit great and looked like it belonged there but was a dog. they are 136 c.i. and have no torque. I was running a 3:78 rear gear and my banger powered 30 pickup would out run it until it ran out of rpm's. The V8 60 cars had 4:44 rear gears and low top end. They used them in sprint cars and small race boats but kept them at higher rpm's, they wake up over 2500 rpm's but not good for a driver.
     
  7. IMHO the 1948 and earlier engines are where it's at.


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  8. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    That’s what I keep finding the more I research them. Seems like a good fit but building the banger that’s in the car could bring me similar results.


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  9. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    I’ve been reading that a lot too. Seems your opinion is widely shared lol.


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  10. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 4,022

    rusty valley
    Member

    in PA dead flatheads bring 2 grand? i should bring you a truck load. 2 to 500 bucks on craigslist, any time you look. usually atleast 10 at all times
     
  11. 49clubcoupe
    Joined: Nov 5, 2013
    Posts: 88

    49clubcoupe
    Member
    from idaho

    Wow,2k for a builder flathead. I just bought a complete 50' f5 with 25k original miles for scrap weight ( $200). For 2k I would be going on a road trip.

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  12. deucemac
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 1,591

    deucemac
    Member

    I talked to a very old Ford mechanic once about the V860 and his response was that it was o the only engine that he could replace spark plugs in while running and never notice a loss in power! kinda says it all about power output with a 60. Unless you go all out midget specs......forget it.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  13. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 7,616

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Pre-48 flatheads are cool, but can be more expensive than the later ones. If you want an example, price rod bearings for one compared to a set for an 8BA. Of course, you can always put a later crank and rods in a 59A. Around here, decent 8BA's can be found any time you want if you look hard enough; 59A's are another matter altogether. If cost is any consideration, the older 21 stud engines can be budget breakers, especially if they have the Babbited main bearings. Of course, if you find a later one, it may be a Mercury with a 4" crank.
     
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  14. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,732

    Kiwi 4d
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    • I vote nix on either . Don't be in a rush , they pop up regularly on here. But as to be expected its hard to be100% certain on block condition.
    What does hole in exhaust valve guide mean? I presume it has no valves or guides , so do you mean through exhaust port? If so its scrap really.
    There is lots of main caps available if you ask, but that means finding matching ones and getting the block line bored. $$
     
    keith27T likes this.
  15. Mike51Merc
    Joined: Dec 5, 2008
    Posts: 3,855

    Mike51Merc
    Member

    I agree with the others that you need to continue shopping. Missing main caps means you'll need a line-bore even if you find some.
    The V8-60 would be cool as a novelty or transplanted into a small light car like a MG-TD or TF, or even a newer MG or other British sportscar. If I had a V8-60, I'd be looking for a Triumph Spitfire to put it in. The result would be similar performance to a 1500cc four, but the sound alone would be a head-turner.
     
    jim1932 and sidevalve8ba like this.
  16. RODIST
    Joined: Dec 29, 2016
    Posts: 154

    RODIST

    Hi,...in response to the specific question,...$50.00 for a builder block , ... look for a complete engine....,
    V8-60,...sort of a novelty engine, cool for an antique,...
    As for unsolicited FLATHEAD ADVISE.... 8 BA IS THE WAY!!



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  17. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    The block has a pinhole that you can see on the outside and it goes all the way through into where the valve would be in that cylinder. Quite strange really that it’s not cracked near the pin hole. It’s just a perfect hole all the way through.


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  18. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    The block has a pinhole that you can see on the outside and it goes all the way through into where the valve would be in that cylinder. Quite strange really that it’s not cracked near the pin hole. It’s just a perfect hole all the way through.


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  19. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    The block has a pinhole that you can see on the outside and it goes all the way through into where the valve would be in that cylinder. Quite strange really that it’s not cracked near the pin hole. It’s just a perfect hole all the way through.


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  20. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    Yea the nicest one right now in my area is 3k and the ad says “ should run, ran when pulled Year’s ago” so I always look at them as they will probably need work as well and for the price.


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  21. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    Yea I’ve been watching craigslist from where I live past Cleveland and right now there’s a few but they all need some sort of overhaul procedure and they barely dip below the 2k mark. The most promising is one that said it did run years ago.


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  22. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 7,616

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    A new listing of the top 3 lies :

    I'll respect you in the morning.
    The check's in the mail.
    Ran when parked.
     
    lothiandon1940 and RODIST like this.
  23. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    Hahaha exactly my thoughts.


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  24. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    Hahaha exactly my thoughts.


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  25. Rick & Jan
    Joined: Apr 9, 2008
    Posts: 541

    Rick & Jan
    Member

    Get in touch with pinstriper40. Joel has a huge selection of flatheads and parts. Me and a Buddy just bought 2 engines from him, 1 Merc and 1 Ford. I tore my Ford down for inspection and found a perfect block and inards, it had a rebuild tag on it from Nov. 1964, .30 over and 10-10 on the crank. It will end up in the '46 when finished!
     
  26. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 7,616

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I've been thinking about the O/P's statement about 2-3K for core flatheads. At first, I thought he must live in the wrong part of the country, or doesn't know where to look or something. I then realized that it's been a while since I've looked for something like this (I already have two spares), and maybe the market has changed. What I do know is that the market for reasonably priced vintage speed equipment is gone. I cruise eBay and Craig's list and every once in a while I'd find something like an $180 Navarro "Universal" dual manifold, or a set of unused Edmunds 8BA heads for $300, and on and on. Over the last ten or so years, I've got a lot of cool stuff sitting on the shelf without a lot of investment. I used to be able to buy core small base 2GC's, Carter WCFB's, and Rochester 4G's for less than $50. Over the last 6 months, I don't think I've come across anything that I wanted to buy at anywhere near the asking price. The only set of Edmunds heads on eBay have a "Buy it Now" price of $1200! I regularly search "Edmunds Flathead" on eBay and all I've seen lately is stuff like a Studebaker 6 dual carb manifold for $995 or a dual for a flathead Cad for $3995. I know "askin' ain't gettin'", but these prices have to be an indication of something.

    I guess I'll have to get off my ass and start haunting estate sales and swap meets, but it was so much easier using the internet. There is a finite supply of this stuff out there, and we may be nearing the end. I guess I'm kinda surprised it lasted this long.
     
  27. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    Yea craigslist around here is mostly whole cars that have a flathead. Or when you find them they are questionable at best. I haven’t really looked at eBay for the whole engine since I’m not sure if I want to know the shipping logistics for that heavy hunk of iron.


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  28. ButlerRod&Metal
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 24

    ButlerRod&Metal
    Member
    from Butler,PA

    Well you guys must be good luck. Scanning through craigslist just now and 2 hours ago two where posted in central Ohio.

    The first one is 500
    [​IMG]

    And the second posting is 2 for 1000
    [​IMG][​IMG]



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  29. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 4,022

    rusty valley
    Member

    the two for a grand look like later motors, one i can see the 59ab on the head, and one with the side load tranny which you use the guts in your top load case for the better syncros. heres a link to a current thread on the barn about cost of rebuilding https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235044 good luck
     
  30. Rick & Jan
    Joined: Apr 9, 2008
    Posts: 541

    Rick & Jan
    Member

    Got these two from Pinstriper40. One Ford, one Merc. He has a bunch of Flatheads and parts, some Merc cranks. Might have what your looking for, Good Luck! IMG_1203[2403].jpg IMG_1240[2428].jpg IMG_1200[2404].jpg IMG_1200[2404].jpg
     

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