49 thru 51 merc engine. Yes or no?

If you had a flathead merc engine that was complete but had not been running since 1959, would you try to rebuild or replace with later model ohc v8 in a chop top 51 merc? (also have a 50 merc engine) Thanks

 

I was gonna ask that same question. Except I dunno when my flattie ran last. Took it apart as I thought it was froze. I found the intake valve on the Number 5 cylinder was stuck or something. Whats the cheapest way to fix it? Anyone?

 

My .02?

Find something newer...you say it's chopped already, so it's not like its a stock show car...plus it's cheaper if the previous owner didn't take care of that flatty properly...also, you get the benefits of more HP, and easier parts availability.

 

KEEP THE FLATIE !!! i can under stand all the put a newer drive train in it but i have a 51 ford with the original flattie and its reliable as all hell.. that ****er always runs..looks great..and sounds AWSOME..no sbc can ever sound as good as a nice flathead.. IMHO

 

not chopped yet.

 

After I chopped my Merc I looked for an engine. Since I didn't have a flathead, I chose the next best thing. Now I'm rollin with a 460 Ford!!!!.............OLDBEET

 

Get an estimate(ballpark #) for the flatty! If it's more than you can handle,put a 302 in it.

 

The flathead would look the most 100% bad***. Get the **** out of the carb/s and put it back along with some new plugs and see what happens.

 

Age old question. Is this the car you dont own yet that a tree fell on?

Do some research and figure out what you want to do. A flathead in a car thats driven a lot is awesome usually by those who see it, not by those who own it. Everyone thought my old Merc was awesome cuz it had a flathead and I daily drove it rain, snow, etc. Everyone but me.

Dont get me wrong, I still dig flattys, but when I put the 302 in it was a whole different animal and I dug it way more.

 

I'd run the flattie myself. If you decide not too, hold onto it for a possible hotrod project down the road since it has the desirable Merc crank. If not, send it to me.

 

depends are you going to try to rebuild the flatead or try to run it as is, do you have a good motor to replace it with? trying to go cheap pull the flatty dis***eble it and look for "bad" cracks if it don t look to bad put new gaskets in it and run it! or rebuild it. ive got a 50 with a built flathead and i dont know of anyone else around here that has one like it, most have 350 chevys, plus it cool to see all the old timers get all excited,and its amazing what you can learn from them, esp on fordbarn.com some of the nicest people on that sight that will answer any questions you might have...........

 

i just bought a 49 merc...pulled it home from a field...i got the flattie fired up...and pulled it and sold it for 700 and i'm dropping in a 350 for yrs. and miles of worry free cruisin'

 

you got a merc flathead running and sold it for $700???

damn. lucky buyer!!! thats dirt cheap.

 

How much is a running merc flatty worth?

 

Cranks usually go for around $400 if they don't need turned. A complete stock runner with a good block should be around $1000. The problem is verifying the block is good with no cracks.

 

i have one (it's an 8BA.. i think when i checked the numbers it was from a merc...) i was told it came out of a running car. it is complete. PM if you are interested. i know this isnt a cl***ifieds thread but i thought it fit in. also i have a flathead in pieces. i have a new crank for one... but its been sitting for a few years. anybody needs any parts let me know

 

Run the flatty.

For the stuck valve - Kroil or PB Blaster - gently tap it down with a soft-faced hammer & rotate it back up until it's free. Run it. Change oil often. Run it some more.