I'm planning to put a flathead engine in my 29 Coupe because the engine is "shot". I bought two flatheads that I found on the H.A.M.B. last fall but after taking them apart found that they are not any good. I have been able to salvage some parts. Quite a bit of $$$ down the drain, but I have a third which I bought locally and now will take it down some to see what kind of shape it is in. It is supposed to be a re-built and I didn't get this info from the original owner so I'm about to prove if for myself. I heard "rumour" about a guy who bought some new flatheads that were built in France. This guy is supposed to be selling each new block....have you heard of this? If my flat head project doesn't work I'll have to start looking again. I have a 350 sittin around which I could use. DWB
Search french flathead, there is quite alot of stuff on here. I can't think of the name of the place.
They were at Bonneville this summer, and i masplaced the cataloge they gave out. The folks are from the San Fransisco area. The blocks look good the prices very good.
Pull the intake and oil pan. Check for proper clearances and overall appearance. Take a compression check. Anything near 110 pounds is good. Oil the cylindrrs and retest. If it looks good, I would run it.
Not much use to you in the US but over here in the UK a complete French 8BA comes out at around $2,300 bucks ! thats with every thing as a plug and play motor not just the block. You do trash the carb, starter, geni, and water pumps etc ! But I have seen these complete motors running in rods in Germany ! Steve
the place in san francisco selling flatheads can be found at www.sfflatheads.com - web site says they bought all the french blocks/parts in usa.
What exactly is wrong with your two blocks? A lot of things can be repaired with a little patience and the french blocks are a mix between the early and late engine styles according to literature I have read. Most cracks can be repaired on the deck and I know where you can buy decent cranks for $60 plus shipping. You can even repair a cracked cylinder by boring and sleeving it. Look at your blocks again and think about it. Larry
It is cracked through the valve seat to the block and down the cylinder wall 3 inches approx. The other block, the outside wall was so thin that when cleaning it disintegrated.
You do trash the carb, starter, geni, and water pumps etc ! But I have seen these complete motors running in rods in Germany ! Steve[/QUOTE] ...most of us drive the german G29T Ford Flathead. Thicker walls,Bosch dual point dizzys, aluminium oilpan - No cracks, ever ! French Blocks are also good, getting real expensive these days, though. Here´s my "Kraut-Flathead" !
It sounds like the one with the crack could be repaired. Cracks in the valve seats are common as are cracks around the head bolt holes. I would advise looking around where you live for a shop that has been open for more then 20 years. Look for one where the machinists look 45-60 years old and have one of them look at your block. Knowing I am going to get "flamed" for saying this; Don't go to somewhere that has a bunch of clean cut 20 something year olds (like my local O'Reillys) who can't give you an answer unless it is in the computer. I went in to the local O'Reilly store near me to get an oil filter for my '80 MGB, told the girl the Fram number and she still couldn't find the part. The one 'old' guy (35-40) in the place helped her find what I asked for finally. In her words "How am I supposed to know about parts for a car older than I am?" See what I mean about finding an old shop? Larry
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