I hate to ask....but what's it worth?

I just bought a '51 Ford F-1. Turns out, it's got a Merc flattie in it. I don't know anything else about it. I got the whole "it ran when it was parked" bit but I think it could actually be true. The engine is not seized up or anything, the oil looked good (for sitting for 10+ years) and I think I could get it up and running. I'm just wondering what the engine would be worth so I don't get taken when I sell it. It's also got the 3-speed behind it that I would sell together. Appreciate any help.

 

1 trillion dolars

 

worth what ever you gave for it !

 

Don't expect a flathead buyer to pay extra for a Mercury crank unless you can prove that it's actually a Merc. 8CM Mercury heads are not enough proof (for me) but a good sign to check further. Pulling the head and actually measuring the stroke eliminates all doubt.

 

Chances are it's a Ford in Merc clothing. I've had it happen TOO many times to count lately!!

 

Why sell it at all?
Gonna make room for a SBC?
(just funnin' ya)

 

It's worth whatever you and a buyer agree to. As is everything on the planet.

I hate "WIW?" posts.

 

no way!!

 

I only asked because I didn't know and I didn't want to get taken or scare people off. Isn't that the point of a forum like this? To help other car guys? If you hate "WIW?" posts, why did you look at it? I hate it when people who only have negative shit to say, feel the need to speak. Thanks for your help.

 

Good advice is to pull one head to show potential buyer the stroke. O/T Hope those girls in your avatar don't sit on the '59s fins, I had a friend back in the 60s that freaked out when anyone got close to his '59 Impala's fins. Good luck with the flattie, The FOGGER

 

why not just get it running and use it?

 

Use it do sell it!

 

I would like to use it. I think they're cool as hell. I'm just worried about how reliable they are. Even the old timers are telling me to yank it out and put a 302 in it. Like I said, I don't know anything about 'em. I'd rather push it than put a 350 in it.

 

how reliable is anything ?? have it checked out go over it run it


get it running you'll be able to tell if its good
if it runs hot etc
for the days work if that to get it running,,ya know then you can sell a running motor for much more,,or if it seems shot,,pull the crank and sell that

or keep it

 

I live not too far away how much?

 

What "old timers" are telling you to pull it out?( they probably want 1st dibbs on it!) Hell a flathead can be made to perform very reliably when built right..............get new friends!

 

You're talking to the wrong "old timers"....
Keep the Flattie,you'll be happier and have "bragging rights" when you pop the hood!

BTW,if that's your '59 in your avatar,I remember it from Midnight Mass at Cal Expo.

 

If you are going to sell it, having it in running condition would be a big plus.
EvilDr235

 

That was funny,ha,ha.I like you already ...

 

I've seen everything but an answer to your question. In this part of the country, you could expect to get $500 to 1000 for it depending on what it really is and the condition, but no, I don't want to buy it. I just picked up a nailhead & std. transmission with a car wrapped around it for my next project.

 

Get it running. Make sure none of the valves are sticking. Measure the stroke so you know what you've got. Then ask what it's worth. If it doesn't run, it's worth $125 or so a ton right now.

Or just drive it, if it runs and runs good. People used to drive flathead powered vehicles every day to get to work or whatever else, put millions of miles on them - no reason you can't do the same.

 

I traded out some stuff for unknown condition flat heads I sold them all for $300 each and got about $500 in trade for the '48 merc engine. I am not into building them, but sure seems to be a better market that you have been told. Put it on Craigslist for $500 and see what you get offered, you can always take offers, lower the price, run the ad again. Don't give it away. I have a standing offer with the local crusher for $100 for flathead engines they do come up once in a while.

So whats a 1938 Zephyr V-12 engine worth?

 

spinning free & complete $800-1500

 

Ok. I'm going to try to get it running. Like previously mentioned, if it runs, more money for me or.....I may stick with it and run it and not be a pussy. Either way, I appreciate it.

 

And no, it's not my '59. It's just one bad-ass picture.

 

ironic, I bought a '50 F-2 with a merc flathead in it. It was $400 with a title. and I pulled the head to measure the stroke.

 

Instead of pulling the head, can't you simply use a small diameter rod through the spark plug hole to measure stroke?

Been a while since I fooled with a flat-motor....

 

can't do that as the spark plug is above the valves. Gotta pull a head or pan.

 

Running the risk of sounding like a smart ass, whenever I hear the question "what's it worth?" it always begs the same reply: "whatever the market will bear";....or, simply stated, between one and a hundred thousand dollars!...literally, whatever you can collect on it.

 

Good find for sure and the guys on here like to yank your chain to see if you rattle. All in fun. There sure is a lot of realy cool flat head stuff out there. John