Anyone know who builds a turn key flathead?

Is there anyone on the H.A.M.B that builds a turn key flathead? I'm looking for something that's rebuilt & ready to go...

Thanks in advance...

-Ron

 

flatheads-forever.com ?

 

Give H&H flatheads a call - they know their stuff . . . though they're probably much more into high performance work than stockers. Ask to talk to Mike.

http://www.flatheads-forever.com/home/

 

Vern Tardel in Windsor, CA. Try www.verntardel.com. He builds the best and has the French blocks if you want one.

Rex

 

We are all faithful to our favorite flathead guy...shops. For what it is worth, I HIGHLY recommend.......
http://www.bobsrepairllc.com/
You ought to at least check out his website. Plus, if you ever visited his shop I think you'd be amazed at the VERY complete machinery and inventory of engines. Plus, he is disgustly honest and one of the genuinely nicest guys I have ever met. And, no, he isn't a relative. (smiling)
Bill

 

Putt Smith 770-964-6973

 

I say go with Vern.

 

Got one of the best connections on flatheads reengineered for better cooling and performance if Maryland doesn't scare you for distance. Show go or any combination by an New England drag racer that got the most out of them. He specializes in the rare engines from flatties to Zepher V-12's. Let me know if I can help.

Sir Woosh.........

 

One More. Hanson Automotive Machine. 541-926-5742.

.

 

What's the story on the French blocks? Are they any better or just more plentiful?

What years are the best for getting the most bang for your buck and what years do you want to stay away from?

 

Thanks, I'll check him out...

 

H&H quoted me $6200.00 for a V8-60 turn key no core ... steve

 

Who is H&H? Was this a hopped up motor or a stocker?

 

We have an excellent guy here. A lot of experience and turns out an outstanding flathead. He did the flathead that is in the restored "Gr***hopper A pickup" of the Alexander Brothers.

PM me if you need information. He is a personal friend of mine.

Frank

 

One to avoid if possible is the ones with the integral bellhousing. Just for lack of trans options sake.

 

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I'm not sure what all the differences are on the French blocks but they are a cross between early and late Flathead with a ****load french accent just to confuse you.


The 49-53 Flathead is the one to get, Upright style distributer and detachable bell housing. The Last of the Mercurys had 4" cranks for 255 cubic inches.

What body car/truck are you putting this into?

I cruise the farm roads and look for old Ford/Merc Grain trucks sitting in the back 40. Some run some don't but the price is usually pretty decent.
Take the Flathead to your local Flathead expert (machine shop) and let him build it for you. Trick in looking for a useable engine inside a farm truck is that it will have it's carb/air cleaner etc on and all the sparkpugs intact thus keeping water, dirt **** outta them (sealed motor).
Basic 49 up rebuild is 3 or 4k and Adding some speed goodies takes it beyond 5 and up depending on how much torque you wanna build.
Flathead's are 'torquey' and in a 32 or a Model A they will perform impressively.



.

 

It would be going in a 30 Model A truck. I have a good buddy who owns a machine shop here in Austin but he's pretty backed up with work. That's why I was thinking of buying a turn key deal. Really, just a running engine that I could freshen up, change the water pumps, intake or whatever is really all I would need. If I could find a decent running engine I'd probably jump on it even if it was an undesirable year or model and I'd just learn to love the "accent"...

 

Didn't realize that flatheads-forever & H&H are the same thing. I'll check them out.

 

H&H is currently building me a French Flathead, not cheap but I think its worth it, and they warrantee their build for 12 months. Do the other shops or builders?
Basic Spec. 3 5/16 bore x 4 1/8 stroke, 3/4 race cam, Navarro heads and intake, 3x 97's.
The run test is in a couple of weeks and should be able to post some pix's.

 

Man, I'd like to see those pics...

 

Have you ever had a flathead before? To be honest, they really aren't for the faint at heart!

If you haven't, do as much research as you can now, before you lay any cash down. I've seen guys like you pay huge money for a rebuilt flattie only to put it in and be disappointed with the performance. It takes a lot of money to do nothing to a flathead, just a caution

Here are a couple good sites for info (they also have some leads to good Flathead shops):
http://www.agt.net/public/bboogaar/

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm

http://fordbarn.com/

Good luck!

 

Baxter Automotive in Lawrence KS. Those guys know flatties better than Henry did. They're a small, family operated outfit and super nice guys to deal with. I don't think they have a website though.

131 ARKANSAS ST
LAWRENCE, KS 66044
<table cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td>Phone:</td> <td>(785) 842-9256</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

Dude check out there web page under turn-key motors.
www.flatheads-forever.com

 

http://www.gocatspeedshop.com/

-Lee
Atomic Radio
www.atomicpinup.com

 

Well, with that kind of recommendation, no one would think he was.

 

Flatheads are most definitely a very cool motor.But, for the money you have to lay out to build a good strong, powerful one, there are lots of other choices that would give you more bang for your buck. Best be sure-why not find someone local with one in a car and drive it?

 

That's good advice I'm sure. I've always been a Chevy guy but I thought on this project I'd broaden my horizons. But, man your not kiddin'... For the price of a clean (ish) flathead , you can buy a screamin' SBC.

Maybe I'm being a little too ambitious??

 

flatheads are worth every penny there's no other motor for a hot rod for me
I was lookin forward to a new flathead to race with us
if you want to drive in a flathead car come on out, my shop is in dripping springs
I have a good 59 a block that has had a lot of work done to it I would let go cheap
you can also find them running at swap meets I see them all the time
any way good luck on your project

 

Sure, make us wait on the other site, lol.

 

I'd like to do that sometime. I'll shoot you a PM and have a look at that block. Thanks a lot...