Hey guys I'm new to this forum and just had some questions. I'm 20 years old and was able to score a flathead for a rebuild. I believe it's a 46 but have not ran numbers yet. But i want know if it's worth rebuilding and putting the money into it for a nice ratrod someday. I've always loved these engines and would love to put it a nice model a. I know there not built for speed but I'd still like it to get up and go!! Almost all the rods I see have sbc or bbc and I'd like to be different and keep it old school. Any tips or opinions would be great. Thanks, Evan Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The are plenty of guys with good flathead help here. But I'll just give you this heads up: this is not a rat rod site and 'a nice rat rod' is an oxymoron. It would be a good idea to spend some time getting to know the site. Good luck with your project and hopefully, with help here you'll end up building a really nice traditional hot rod.
Sorry didn't know that term was a bad term haha, and thank you, I'm picking up the motor Saturday and I'll keep everyone posted. First things first Is to get it pressure tested and well go from there. I'm getting it from my grandfather for free which helps, and i want to see his face after hearing this motor run after so long and being built by his grandson will make him happy also!! Thanks for feedback and another tips for the flattie will be nice!! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Does it come with a refundable deposit in case it is cracked too badly to rebuild? Don't spend a lot of money on a flathead core with out one. I got lucky and it only took 2 blocks. Get a guaranty. yes RR is a fashionable term for new comers. I don't drive RRs
Good luck with the flatty. they're really fun to work on, sound good and look great when dressed up. Keep us posted. Tim
I never read that part. I'm trying to help a 20 year old kid and his grandfather probably knows more than I. Trust your family more than a stranger on the internet.
Yeah it's for free thank god and he knows a lot about them, he has a sweet 50 merc with a flathead that he built up. And like I said first things first I'm testing the block either this weekend or next weekend before anything. So hopefully the block is goid Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Start saving your pennies. Rebuilding a flathead is far and away the most money you will ever spend for 200 hp. That said, DO IT, and don't worry what the SBC crowd tells you. The world needs more flatty's. There is almost nothing better looking then a built and dressed flathead, and certainly nothing that sounds better. Nothing wrong with a '46. Hopefully the internals are in decent shape so you don't have to buy a rotating assembly. Good Luck.
I totally agree that they sound and look the best! And first thing I'm doing is getting it tested so hopefully I'll be good to go and build it up nice Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Hey Evan, great to see a young 20yr old take an interest in a Flathead V8. Don't pull it appart until you've tried to run it. If it turns over and hasn't been run for years you may need to clean the carby out. My advice would be to put an oil gauge on it and wind it over on the starter with the spark plugs out till you get some oil pressure. I know of many an old Flatty thats still running and doing just what you want it to, without having heaps of $$$ thrown at it. What town/city do you live in? chances are there's other HAMB members living near you that could be of assistance to you. some people would call the black A-Tudor in my avatar a RR....but I call it a Jalopy. (actually its our paddock racer). Keep looking for an A body or part of , something will turn up for sure....Maybe some old HAMBer may have the makings of something cheap available for a young fellow. I.m sure you'll make Grandad smile when you get it running..
Thanks for the tips!! And I'm about an hour south of Boston ma. And I'll have to try that out tomoro with the oil gauge. And I'm very excited to start working on the motor and even more excited to get it running for my grandfather to see!! I've been told the term "rr" isn't a good term to use around here! I'm new to the site and my other thread got deleted because I used "rr" in it. But anyway I'm still looking for a nice a body I know one will show up eventually!! I'll keep you posted how everything's going and thanks again Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
And I'll have to look I to that! Thanks, I already bought a book about them to read up on. I'm picking the motor up in a few hours to see what I got to work witj Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
great, go for it. a lot of people will tell you how expensive it is to build a flathead and it can be if you farm out most of the work. mag the block first as you plan and go from there. i have 4-5 of them in line for projects and i keep them out of the shop except for what i can't do. last one i built was less than 1200.00 total and that included a 4" merc crank and merc pistons. shop on the auction sites and hit the swap meets. a friend put his block in the shop and built it over the phone and it cost almost 6 grand. if you have questions post them here and get on the fordbarn too for help. flatheaders stick together. build whatever type of car you want and don't pay attention to the "experts" on types of hotrods, etc., get what you want. i have a 47 ford, 52f1, 53 merc monterey h/t and a really cool rat. good luck and most of all have fun.
Like you said I'm going to do as much as I can to keep the cost down and most of all have fun!! I'll keep you posted and thanks for the input!!! And sounds like you have an awesome collection of cars going!! Hopefully I'll be there someday haha Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Any of you guys know a good site to look up numbers so I can see what year this bad boy is?? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Welcome to the HAMB Ebraga9. I like your choice! This will be an adventure - sounds like your grandpa is there for tech support. I have three running flatheads - drove one to work today. We have a bare block just waiting for the next project. Keep us posted and let's see those pics!!!!!!!
Thanks for the reply and I narrowed it down to a 46-48 because I took one of the heads off and found 1 triangular port and the two round ones and I'm going to run the numbers tomorrow to try and find the exact year. And the pics will be coming soon! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
And that new flattie project sounds great hope all works out!! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Does anyone know if the 46-48 blocks have the pancake style distributor in the front??? Or if they stopped in 45? Now I'm thinking my motor is a 45 because I saw that distributor with one triangular port and two round ones Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
As has already been said, there's nothing nicer looking or sounding than a built flathead. (Unless it's a built banger). I've always loved the clean, uncluttered look of a built flathead. Good luck with your project. I'll be looking forward to pics.
Looks scary hahah, missing pistons water pumps and all but as long as it's not cracked, itl be fixed and running good!! And that is a pancake distributor right? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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