Hot Rods Replacing SBC with a Flathead ??

So many variables. Early? 59A? 8BA? Merc 255 or Ford 239? Just the engine? Who "rebuilt" it? What all comes with it? Was it oiled up good before it got stored for a decade?

So, if it's a good 59A that was stored well, not stuck, has a good pan, dist, pulleys, and good water pumps, I'd be in the high $2Gs, more from a known builder with a good rep. I'd also rig up a run stand if I had everything to run it. Mercury 255, more, go fast goodies, more yet. Lately there's a segment that gets all hot n bothered about the LB 36-up 21 stud 221s. Why I don't know. I like the 59A. 8BAs make more power easier (I think) but who cares if you're building a flatty? It ain't for max boogie.

I'm willing to get flamed a little on all that if I'm way off.

 

About $150. Do you take paypal?

 

Yes I do, but I think your a little short on cash with that offer. Who said its for sale? not me. Found out its a 8ab with everything except exhaust manifolds.

 

Just tell us what you paid for it

 

No, some of you might laugh.

 

£190
$235
sold

 

Flathead - No, SBC - Yes. A bored and Stroked flathead with heads and 2 carbs and a high performance dist will run about as good as a stock 283 2 barrel SBC. SBC will and will last about 3 times longer, Flatheads are good for about 50K SBC about 250K.

 

You remind me of a HS girlfriend, she was a tease too

 

Did she have a flat head?

 

And only 3.5 feet tall…good place to sit ya beer at times

 

Before the ohv v8s there was also hot 6cyl engines and straight 8s. But the flathead, like the sbc, was the cheapest and easiest. But not necessarily the best at the time.

 

He has his sedan listed for sale in the classifieds so guessing he’s starting from scratch.

 

It's been listed since he's joined.

 

Ah. It showed yesterday at 517 and had no replies so figured it was a new ad.

 

Everything is for sale if the price is right...

 

Define how your mind arrives at "best". What qualities make an engine the top choice for an application? Surely being both cost effective and easy to install would score high points in this regard, making both the flathead and the sbc a leading contender for their respective time periods. Little wonder they were the poison of choice for many hot rodders.

There are many other factors that can also be considered. Power output, reliability, efficiency, what the guy down the road happens to have for sale, tribal/brand loyalty...... lots of things. Hey, just maybe, the sbc was used so often because it appealed to so many people for so many different reasons. It's a moot point anyway. The prolific use of the small block chevrolet engine is a part of history, and no matter how much some people don't like that fact, it can't be changed...............

 

Right on, man. If you are moving forward with this swap, do yourself a favor and get this book.


https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...rod-your-model-a”-book-first-edition.1283488/

 

Except integrity..........................but I am willing to listen to offers

 

I thought it was for sale?

Followed days later by this:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1929-model-a-sedan-hot-rod.1290330/

So...? Are people just being jerked around?

 

Is it still for sale?

Lol.

 

I think that what made the Flathead and SBC so popular, each in their day, was horsepower per dollar.

 

'cept a Hemi.

 

I would bet not. There is valuable opinion in this topic, and maybe the car is not the best candidate for a swap to a flatty after all. Personally I wouldn't, already runs and drives and isn't hard to look at. Wheels n tires give it a whole new personality. I'd pick narrower rear tires and natural finish 5 spokes for a dead on mid 60s vibe ifnit we up to me. Might give the look a little more "anger" for lack of a better term. JMO...

 

I did what you're planning. Bought a '36 3W with a 265, replaced the SBC with a blown flattie (French block with a GMC 3-71; all new parts). It was a very expensive exercise, but way cooler and sounded wonderful.

Was it worth it? No, probably not, but I don't regret doing it.

 

The Italian butcher said Saus-each ( sausage } his own.....

 

5 pages of this...

 

This whole thread is a joke.

In full disclosure, I'm well familiar with this car since it was painted in my garage by Russ Montelbano, the former body and paint man for Rob Ida Concepts. This car was pretty much as perfect as one could make a 28-29 Sedan. 327 built by Ross Racing, deuce chassis done by Strunk, paint and body by Russ, assembled by Bob Hilton and the rest of the guys. The styling was right, the car made trips down to the LSR from the northeast, total reliability.... it's pretty much a dream car for someone who wants one of these. Put together by some of the best in the business in terms of skill and styling.

Since the car fell into the current hands, the owner has chosen to make some changes. Taking the bias plies off and replacing them with fat radials, and painting the valve covers and scoops cream and changing the color of the exhaust. These are preferential items, but IMHO, have significantly detracted from the otherwise unimpeachable traditional styling and made this a sort of generic looking street rod. Now the guy wants to take this SBC out, and put a Flathead in?! Performance totally aside, the whole chassis is bodyworked and painted in the same HOK paint that's on the body. This premise of this thread makes it sound like it's some sort of 2 day drop in to put the Flathead in. It's dumb not because someone wants to take a SBC out and put a flathead in, but because they want to do it to THIS car. WHY?! Just sell it and go buy what you want with a flathead and don't screw up a perfectly good car.

 

Yes, exactly. I've seen the photos of how he has changed it, and it looked way more traditional hot rod and had a better look before. The current owner turned it more street rod, so to now want to put a Flathead in seems hilarious. To each their own, I guess, but the car's personality has changed and IMO not for the better.

Edited to add photo of the car before the changes.

 

wow... it definitely has a different personality with the bias ply white walls. personally, if i wanted a flathead, id sell this and buy a really nice running '36, a rougher '53, or one of the other "less iconic" fords as those seem to always be worth less than the A's, 32s, and such that everyone knows very well, but is just as cool.
just my thoughts.

 

Can't argue with any of that.