Hey all, looking for some recent advice from people who've had a flathead rebuilt. The two companies that pop up on her seem to be H&H and Gocat, but the feedback looks a bit dated. Anyone work with them recently? What'd you think?
I just bought a motor from HandH for my 1939 ford truck, Mike is a busy man but always answers my questions. I had a small problem with my engine and he stood behind it 100%. Sent from my SM-N950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
H&H has a good rep and their displays at LARS and the Big 3 swap Meet in San Diego are very professional but I'm sure there has to be a shop that knows flatheads closer to you than SoCal. Always best to deal locally if possible. JMO
Yancy out of smithville has the machines to work on a flathead and he has a pretty good rep. However he kinda jerked me around on valve seats. stood me up (1.5 hour drive) then took 5ish months, then charged me 200 to regrind the valve seats that were already ground in my block but were to deep. Having said all that Rick from napa out of Nebraska city (402 873-6602) was great to work with. turn around was like 3 days following a holiday weekend. prior to my run in with yancy a guy out of st joe back burnered me for another 6ish months. Talk to Raven, cactus1, and a few of the other OG locals and they will set you up.
Stay close to home if possible I am having a 8ba done long distance makes things tuff when there’s issues
If you're from KC, Clay County Engine Rebuilders in Claycomo did all the machine work on a 8CM mercury I had done a few years ago. Their prices are great and work is damn good. The owner was killed but I'm pretty sure his boy can still do flatties. Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
That's what I've been told, especially with these older engines. Gocat isn't horribly far from me, but HH is halfway across the country. Any thoughts working with these guys? Any other reputable places central US?
Just an fyi, insist that anyone, and I mean anyone, that builds you an engine also does the break in run for it to make sure it is a runner without problems when you get it. That way if there are issues at start up it is their responsibility to take care of them before it gets shipped to you. I'd also ask for a video of it running. I got burned by a local guy who said he knew these motors and I had to redo all his work.
Not sure I follow your comments. If the valve seats have been 'ground too deep' how does one grind them in a manner that corrects that error? Taken literally, I would expect the seats would have to be replaced, not just ground. What did I miss here? Ray
I wanted him to install new seats that i provided. he told me that he reground them and charged me 200. he also tipped my valves to random lengths for individual ports. Rick put in the new seats, cut valves to a common length, planned my heads and it cost me 500.
I know a couple guys who have motors built by the feline in Denver. One has been waiting over a year to get his. One had issues with a fresh build that the feline will not stand behind. That said, I'd not have him building my motor. Id want it done right, and promptly.
When I got my journeyman papers in 1961, there were MANY automotive machine shops around. (Bay Area, San Jose) Some were noteworthy, such as: Merv Furtado Howard Kaeding machine Les Joseph machine Harry @ Automotive Industrial Supply Dever Motors Penniman & Richards Cook's Automotive Ralph's Machine shop ...and many more, all were versed in Ford flathead V8 parts/machine work/repairs. Just seems strange, the 'takeover' in the whole industry. "Never mind that old ****, I dunno what it's for, we won't use it anyway..." Ralph's Machine shop in San Jose. Ralph was expert in flatheads; his son, 'Goose' was well versed, and they had 'Gearbox' Viera doing engine machine work. Ralph p***ed 10 years ago, and Goose sold Ralph's Machine shop to some guy that thought the Chevy V8 was old and obsolete. I bought some old 'Ford flathead junk' from them. But the old shops are gone, so if you can find a competent flathead shop, use it! Closest (BEST) around here is Ceres Driveline shop. They do the French flatheads, as well as the gennies. Not cheap.
I highly recommend Fowler Engines in Columbus OH - they do all my machine work (and I'm very specific on what needs to be done). I've put a bunch of flatheads through there, along with Flathead Cadillacs, early Hemis, SBCs, SBFs, BBCs, etc.. Call and ask for Jeff Fowler - they have the tools, equipment and knowledge to do just about any engine as it should be done. They're very familiar with flatheads and have a lot of 'grey haired' guys that know how to do the machine work. They are always busy (a good sign) - and build a ton of high-end blown-alky engines for all the Tractor Pulling guys. www.fowlerperformance.com
Schmidt Machine in Fairbury NE. has done a lot of flatheads with good results.Done a couple for me and they worked great. They get the job done. 250 miles from KC
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