Flathead's coming back soon!!!

I just got a call from my machine shop. I'll get my stock '53 flathead back soon. By the time it's all done (welding, machining, new pistons, valve train) I'll have $3000.00 into it. I don't think that's too bad. It does make me think though. If I get about 100 HP, how much HP could I have gotten for $3000 with another, more common engine?

 

With flatheads, it doesn't cost much more to bore/stroke beyond stock and nearly double the HP for about the same money - if you can scrounge/trade/swapmeet the required parts....

 

$3000 to get 100hp from a flathead? wow.. remind me to not use that company.

 

I really don't know how many HP. This is my first flathead experience, and I'm trying to not get overly optimistic

 

You maybe able to get more HP on a newer model. But, hey nothing looks cooler than a full dressed flatty! 100 hp or 200. Cool is cool!

 

Just enjoy the flathead....everyone else uses a 350/350 and they are booorring!

 

When did Henry stop producing flatheads.
Is a '53 Merc flattie more desireable then the Ford and why.

Good luck withe flattei, Bob.

 

It's stock &new it will be reliable sound good & crisp,love it. You get away cheeep as most of the parts can be got at napa. Go early 24stud, more bucks for 90 hp, but another look.
I once seriously looked into crate motors, 350 325 hp long block $1899. A demon, intake, distributor headers &such, $3000. I would have a hand built car with a cookie cutter motor I have no respect for.
JMO but for a dirt racer probably fine but a rod be cool all the way through. Get some flanges & make some headers & tractor supply straight through mufflers for big noise.

 

We can, and have, argued the points between flatheads and crate motors too many times. Lets not do that again. Only one person in the world can claim that no one else can get more power out of a particular motor than they can. Big deal. Just enjoy your motor and post pictures of it when you get it back.

 

FLATHEADS Ain't Dead ! but, They SURE have gotten Expensive!!!!

Good luck w/ tha Flattie , They R beauteefull !




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Momma said they'd be Days like this, But she never told me they'd come in buncheslike bannans!

 

First time I heard a flathead run I was hooked. For me its not about the money , build what you like . If you want a car with HP build another and have 2 cars for whatever mood you're in

 

Well,Barry wny, that's exactly what I have ready for the exhaust. We'll see how it turns out in a couple months

 

....Flatheads are cool......once you have one,you'll understand why....

 

I hope you enjoy every minute. You don't run flatheads for HP - you run them because they're classic! Welcome as you take a step up in the automotive world.

 

Probably at least another 5 or 6 HP.

It doesn't really matter how much you could have gotten from a different engine. A flatty is what you wanted.

BTW 3K is a pretty cheap build for a flatty stock or not. I'm glad to see that some who enjoys a flathead is doing right by it instead of scabbing one together and then whining about how unreliable they are.

 

Porknbeaner, thanks for chiming in. I've enjoyed reading your posts for 6 months now. I didn't think 3K was too bad. (of course that didn't include the initial cost, came with project)

 

Well I wouldn't make it public that you enjoy my posts it will certainly ruin my reputation.

Flatties can be fun, with a 100 ponies on tap you may not break and land speed records. Never the less they sound good and getting there and back with a minumum of headaches is fun. 100 hp in a light car is probably as peppy as most of us really need.

 

I think you right, but if not, I'm already saving for the supercharged flattie

 

Nothing looks even looks close on an open hood rod. It may be the best $3000 you have ever spent. Good luck with it.

BC

 

I have 2 flathead powered cars and one with a blown 327 the Flathead powered cars are every bit as enjoyable to drive as the blown sbc is.... enjoy it

PS I would recommend getting one of Bubbas converted Chevy distributors for it, HUGE improvement over the stock distributor

 

You obviously found enough appeal/characteristics of the flathead to make the decision to locate, then have your flathead rebuilt. Does it matter..now, how it would compare to a more "more common engine"? A flathead is more then a hotrod engine, it is a statement/respect of automobile history. Questioning your decision now, is like putting up the umbrella after you're already soaked.

 

I must be gettin' too old.
What ever happened to the "Cool" factor in hot rodding...
I don't care what engine you use, someone will always say you could have done better for that $$$, or that is old, or whatever....
I say, your project, your money, and your ideas....so go for what cranks your throttle!
Flatheads always have been cool, and always will....and in a small car they do quite well...
Good luck on your project !

 

Oh, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't want any other engine. I was just remarking on what I've spent vs. power. This is all new to me. But I'm very happy with it

 

As much as I HATE to put myself in a category with another motor company...

Flatheads are like Harley's. It's not about power. Flatheads are nostagic and traditional and rare and expensive. Like H-D, they are a really expensive way to get a little horsepower. I'm ok with that, but if I wanted performance, I would have started with a 5.4 or a new Coyote 5.0 and gone from there.

At least they stopped making flatheads in 53... some would think a motorcycle company would have evolved in 50 years or so...

 

A Flattie will never win a dollars per horsepower contest.

 

3k is just the tip of the ice berg. Now you gotta buy all the sparkley do dads to put all over it. chrome 97s some super rare intake. I use cool more than horse power any more, u love puttin around town i a straight pipe flathead.

 

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa2/buflochp/Hot Rod Drags/?action=view&current=drags031.mp4

See if this helps?

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa2/buflochp/Hot Rod Drags/?action=view&current=drags064.mp4

buflochp

 

1953 in the USA
Germany 1963 or there abouts
France 1980.

I have a German 1957 Flathead V8