Being new to all of this. I am kind of tired of all of the small block this, and small block that used in making alot of the cars. Could someone tell me about flatheads?? If I build a woodie I would like to stay if possiable with a flathead. I know nothing about these engines, execpt for the fack that you don't see valve covers.. Is it possiable to get an adapter to change the transmision to an automatic?? I would also like to know is there any place to get catalogs on aftermarket parts for same. I would like to run headers, but I want them to hug the motor. I want to have a closed hood.. Thanks.. Al
Al I'm building a 30 31 ford slant 4 dur w/ a 337 flatty.. I'll let you know what I find cause I'll be researching like crazy.
on a flathead the valves are in the block instead of in the head, the whole valve ***embly is in the block it self. im not a flathead v8 guy but more a flathead 4 banger guy as for aftermarket parts try http://www.flatheads-forever.com/ http://www.navarroengineering.com/ http://www.handhantique.com/ http://www.ebay.com/ http://www.reds-headers.com/ http://www.roadsters.com/flathead/#Src INFO http://flatheaddrag.com/ http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Flathead_engine hope this helps just the ones i had bookmarked so keep looking for parts and info on google... /~KM~\
Thanks.. I think that would be different.. I wonder how they preformed?? I have no idea what kind of mileage I could get with one..
See I didn't know about a 4 either.. What can you tell me about them?? As far as flatheads go.. Are they hard to find these days?? If running a flathead.. Would you still box the frame??
just get one of the 2 or 3 books the hambers on here recommend. that's what i'm doing as i just bought a 59a and plan on hopping it up in hopes of some day scoring a model A or something... here is a link to my post on what guide to get.... click on this>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110922
Been a bunch of threads on flatheads on here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112197&highlight=flatheads http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110922&highlight=flatheads http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110632&highlight=flatheads http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108121&highlight=flatheads http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105075&highlight=flatheads theres a bunch more just search for flathead. Also theres a bunch of good books out there. Why do you want an automatic?
I'm still saying we need a flathead section on the hamb, it's getting crazy and would help keep the threads organized. by the way, someone said AV8 made a thread on porting for flatheads. i did a search in the tech forum and couldn't find it, anyone have a link?
What would also be doing is installing an automatic to the engine. Can you make your own, or are there any out there that don't cost an arm & a leg to buy..
This will answer a bunch of your general questions. http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm Here's a link for transmission adapters. http://www.transmissionadapters.com/fordflathead.htm
How are they for reliability?? Do they break down alot?? I just thought that they were a neat looking engine. You get tired of always seeing V8's all of the time..
Here's some info on porting from awile back. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100009 Al what model flathead do you have?
Al, Flatheads aren't for everybody so I suggest that you get some reference books and get yourself educated on them. Get into the archives here as there is all you need to know if you look hard enough. Get in with local rodders and see if anyone is running one. Be aware that engine parts and machining can be quite expensive. There are automatic kits available, They even came with an automatic although I can't imagine anyone running one!
my advice to you if youve never had a Flatty, is to keep it stock. You can run 2x2 's and duals and dress it up. Like said above Flattys arent for everybody and be prepared to spend some coin , thay arent like small blocks as to price of parts.
Glad to see more people using the flathead. I went to the Goodguys show here in Colorado last weekend and was totally disappointed in the amount of flatheads! I think I saw 3-4 at the most. I have no problem with a SBC, but there's something wrong with throwing one of those in a Ford. I'm sure this has been discussed before... Anyway, have fun with the flathead! Lots of parts out there, you just have to dig a little to find them.
Good for you....flatheads are the best street motor (IMHO) for hot rods or customs and you can do a lot to dress them up for a pretty reasonable budget. Check out the sites: just Google: flathead fords and you will get a lot of links. Try: groups.msn.com and go to ford flathead for a really good forum and swap. These motors are still pretty easy to come by if you know where to look and what to look for and the forums really help. Just about every part you will ever need is still available and NAPA, Carquest, etc., still carry a lot of parts like water pumps, gaskets, etc.. Headers are readily available and a lot of guys build their own to fit their needs. I like the Fenton cast irons and they are available but a little pricey. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask any questions because the flathead guys are always more than willing to go to lengths to help you out. 31acoupe
as far as looking for parts speedwaymotors makes, well sells anyways, alot of stuff. but if your just looking for stock parts youd be preety surprised to see what oreilly auto and napa still make for them tim
We have a few guys here that are running flatheads. They are now trying to talk me out of one, and installing a V6 insted. They told me though the flathead is a tough engine. It is prone to breakdown at any time. You need to carry a full box of replacement parts with you. Now I am not so sure about that engine.
I don't know about your guys running flatheads trying to talk you out of one. Every flathead person I have ever met is dedicated to running theirs. It all depends on what you want to drive. Something ordinary? get a toyota. Something special? drive a ford with a flathead v8. Everywhere I go people want to look at my motor, but when I am driving my wifes' car not once has anyone ever asked me to look at her motor. I have been driving mine daily for many years, never had a problem with it, maybe I am just lucky but I think it is the most reliable motor I have had. I wouldn't even know where to begin to repair my wifes motor if it stalled on me. I would call a tow truck. If my flatty stalls I can see everything and understant everything and fix almost anything. Very basic and simple. Anyway, it is a preference and it is a matter of style and wanting to be different that all the other sheep (SBC's) IMHO. Good luck with your choice and if you want a good book by Tex Smith's "The Complete Ford Flathead V8 Engine Manual". It is very good as well as Ron Hollorans book which is now back in print. 31acoupe
I'm a Chevy I-6 guy myself, but like the Chevy 6 MILLIONS of flathead engines were made from the 30's to the mid fifties, and they ran, and ran and ran.... How anybody can say they are unreliable I don't know; you just have to know your engine and what it is capable of. They don't go 150,000-200,000 miles without a rebuild like today's stuff, and they need a little more maintainence than the new ones do, but with reasonable care they'll get you where you want to go. As for not understanding them, they were designed and built in a time when someone with a minimal education and basic tools could do the required service.
The Flathead/Inline Nationals were at Bandimere the same weekend. There was a car show as well, and there was a decent showing of flatheads at that car show. You might try my web page for a little info and some sources.
The Flat-O-Matic kit is very good. I used it on my last Flathead powered car and was quite pleased. Worked well and cost was right. No complaints. Matt
are ron holloran's and tex smith's books about hopping them up, or just repairing them stock? i want a book that shows step by step how to hop them up, especially installing new 1.6 chevy valves and lifters, choosing or machining the right heads, etc....
Ron and Tex's books are good, but I think Frank Oddos book is very good also. On a late block I have used the automatic kit from Speedway and put either the C4 or did one with an AOD which worked great. On the early block we used the flatomatic kit. Still for a hotrod feel you can't beat the T-5 trans.
Tex Smith's book (1-800-513-8133) covers all areas, including the "typical flathead" tips and details on hot rodding your motor. It is pretty basic stuff, there are only certain things you can do to the flathead motor. Start with a good cam, study the options, talk to other flathead people and see what they are running. A lot of flathead builders like the long lift lope from their cams (my choice). Chevy valves are an easy alternative, just need a little modification to length and spring shims, however, for a street engine the ford valves work just fine. The determining factor with the valves is cost as far as I am concerned, the chevy's are cheap as dirt and the ford flathead valves run between $7 and $11 each.....Some people don't think it is that worthwhile to run a 4" merc crank but I disagree, if you can s****e up $250-500 get one. Then you want to look at the merc pistons and try to get a decent sized bore, I like to go +40 to + 60 which leaves room for future builds. Then look at the intake, I am using an Offy super dual w/2 97's which I like mainly for the look plus the tradition factor. Some people prefer the 4 bbl offy (or other) intake and I like that style too. I am not building mine with the alum heads like Offy's but using the EAB or EAC heads, milled, smoothed, cleaned up and painted. I think they look cool that way but it is a matter of preference. Fenton headers are the best (IMHO), look best and sound best (cast iron) with Smithy's, but are expensive. If you are skilled or have a buddy who is skilled with metal fabrication you can build custom headers from old cast iron manifolds, paint them, and save a lot of $$$. After your basic build, there are a lot of dress up options, aluminum oil filter covers, fuel regulators, fuel blocks, etc.. Keep on looking and learning, it never ends..... 31acoupe
Buy as many books as you can find. Good tips in all, some better than others. I buy most "new" flathead books when they come out - there's always a tip or two, or a new way to tackle an old problem in there. For the beginner, there's nothing like reading up on it. As for reliability, they were in continuous production with Ford from 32-53 in one guise or another & then used by the French military until the mid '80s, so if reliability was an issue, I think we'd know about it by now...
I love my Flathead - I couldnt see myself running any other engine in my ride....maybe a full house Hemi lol....nah, the Falthead is there to stay. Rat
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