Flathead help for a rookie

Is a flathead motor from a 53 Ford truck a "desired year" flathead. I know that a 53 Merc flathead is the nuts but wasn't sure about a 53 Ford truck flatty. I picked one up for 200 bucks, not froze up...did I pay too much?

 

ttt

 

bumping a thread in 9 mins... okaaay

I would say you got a good deal at 200bucks, does it turn over though?

 

sorry about the bump...lack of patience

The motor does turn over, oil is clean, and the tranny comes with it. I want to build a traditional rod and really wanted to run a flathead, but I wasn't sure if a 53 truck motor was worth the effort.

 

I had a 53 flathead truck engine in my 40 Ford. I used the 49-53 truck bellhousing attached to the 40 trans. It was a good runner until the tranny died. Two hundred bucks sounds like a good deal. Good luck.
Joe

 

yes

 

if you over heat it it will CRACK

 

1. use the search. there's more here than you can read at one shot.

2. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm

enjoy...

and any later merc is the 'nuts' they have the 4" crank.

 

Thanks guys...ya'll been a big help

 

IMHO, a good reference for building a flathead with decent performance is NOSTALGIA: REBUILDING AND MODIFYING THE FLATHEAD FORD V8, by Ron Holleran. Good luck with your project.

 

I would jump on it for $200 unless it has cracks through the valve seats. Good luck on your build.

Vergil