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Flathead's coming back soon!!!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by shawnsauto1, Jan 27, 2011.

  1. 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?:D
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2011
  2. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    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....
     
  3. stainlesssteelrat
    Joined: Nov 23, 2010
    Posts: 583

    stainlesssteelrat
    Member
    from ms

    $3000 to get 100hp from a flathead? wow.. remind me to not use that company.
     
  4. I really don't know how many HP. This is my first flathead experience, and I'm trying to not get overly optimistic
     
  5. 1950Effie
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 798

    1950Effie
    Member
    from no where

    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!
     
  6. Ford Guy
    Joined: Jan 9, 2010
    Posts: 53

    Ford Guy
    Member

    Just enjoy the flathead....everyone else uses a 350/350 and they are booorring!
     
  7. When did Henry stop producing flatheads.
    Is a '53 Merc flattie more desireable then the Ford and why.

    Good luck withe flattei, Bob.:)
     
  8. barry wny
    Joined: Dec 31, 2009
    Posts: 451

    barry wny
    Member

    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.
     
  9. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,770

    5window
    Member

    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.
     
  10. dudley32
    Joined: Jan 2, 2008
    Posts: 2,163

    dudley32
    Member

     
  11. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

     
  12. Smokey2
    Joined: Jan 11, 2011
    Posts: 919

    Smokey2
    Member

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

    Good luck w/ tha Flattie , They R beauteefull !




    ________________________________________________

    Momma said they'd be Days like this, But she never told me they'd come in buncheslike bannans!
     
  13. oldskool30
    Joined: Jan 4, 2009
    Posts: 121

    oldskool30
    Member

    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
     
  14. Well,Barry wny, that's exactly what I have ready for the exhaust. We'll see how it turns out in a couple months
     
  15. big bad john
    Joined: Aug 11, 2010
    Posts: 4,726

    big bad john
    Member

    ....Flatheads are cool......once you have one,you'll understand why....
     
  16. mtflat
    Joined: Jan 28, 2003
    Posts: 422

    mtflat
    Member

    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.
     
  17. 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.
     
  18. 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)
     
  19. Well I wouldn't make it public that you enjoy my posts it will certainly ruin my reputation. :D

    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.
     
  20. I think you right, but if not, I'm already saving for the supercharged flattie:D
     
  21. bcharlton
    Joined: Sep 13, 2006
    Posts: 427

    bcharlton
    Member
    from Buffalo NY

    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
     
  22. Russco
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 4,330

    Russco
    Member
    from Central IL

    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
     
  23. 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.
     
  24. Hdonlybob
    Joined: Feb 1, 2005
    Posts: 4,135

    Hdonlybob
    Member

    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 !
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2011
  25. 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:D
     
  26. Diavolo
    Joined: Apr 1, 2009
    Posts: 824

    Diavolo
    Member

    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...
     
  27. Mike51Merc
    Joined: Dec 5, 2008
    Posts: 3,855

    Mike51Merc
    Member

    A Flattie will never win a dollars per horsepower contest.
     
  28. troylee
    Joined: Jul 10, 2007
    Posts: 689

    troylee
    Member

    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.
     
  29. buflochp
    Joined: Feb 22, 2005
    Posts: 177

    buflochp
    Member
    from Minnesota

  30. edwardlloyd
    Joined: Aug 2, 2003
    Posts: 2,072

    edwardlloyd
    Member
    from Germany

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

    I have a German 1957 Flathead V8
     

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