early flatheads running in modern traffic?

I'm REALLY having a hard time with this one.....gonna hafta check for main bearing inserts to decide I think.

 

come on Roothawg run the flatty, if I can be of any help I'am in Tulsa

 

Nothing to decide really except whether or not to run it - it's a 37 or later block id'd by the waterpump openings in the front of the block, therefore it HAS insert bearings.

You can save yourself a lot of work unless you're like me and just overly curious. In that case, have fun!

 

Put that junk in a bin and go for a Chevy for peace of mind.
And sell me those head like I ask you before.
Eric

 

I guess I was on "vacation" when this post ran its course.
I've been running a couple of '37 21 stud engines in my AV8 since 1998. The first was a $100 take out that I used for 5 years. Started having lots of blow-by, so I had Ron Holleran build me a new one. He bored it out .125 and then he installed an 8BA crank, rods and pistons. He did some fancy porting in the intake and exhaust. Installed a Literio L-100 track cam. He also milled the heads .060. I had the flywheel lightend to about 22 lbs and installed a T-5. This little engine has surprised more than a few people when they tried to make me small in their rear view mirror. I love the reaction I get from people when they realize it's only packing 239 CI. It cruises at 75/80 all day at right around 2600. Drove it over 7,000 miles last year.
I'd love to have a set of those Cyclone heads, but I'm on a very fixed income and don't want to have to go back to work to have them.

 

In Tex Smith's Flathead V8 book there is a great article by Vic Thompson and Rex Garner on preping a 21 studder for reliability. One of the biggest complaints about the 21 stud engines is the lack of speed parts but you already have those parts so GO FOR IT!
Ted H