If I had to get a flathead out of a yard, and I only had manpower to get it out. Has anyone ever had to lift a flatty? Oh and while im here, what is the best flathead to look for? Ive seen alot of aluminum manifolds, steel ones, water outlets in the front and middle of the heads.
when you say "out" do you mean get it out of a car? if so you will need a lift or puller of some sort,the yard may have a loader. if it's just laying on the ground you can use a 2 X 12 and a come-a-long to get it up into the back of your pickup i wouldn't try lifting it by hand..my guess 500 lbs . while i have never weighted one , i have pulled many out and always used my engine crane
I loaded two of them pretty much complete and it took three of us to lift up in the pickup bed, I would say about 650# or so. Most any flathead is good to build, a lot depends on the condition of the motor, does it turn over? Is it real rusty? Has the internals been exposed to a lot of water? My favorite is the 24 stud 59AB but I like the later also. The blocks are mostly all the same except for the 60HP small motor. Most parts are interchangeable, depending on a few issues. Flatheads are a blast to play with and I highly recommend getting one or building one. Tearing them down can get interesting but there is a wealth of knowledge on the HAMB and other sites.
There are over 50 flattys easy in that yard I posted pictures of a few weeks ago. I would like to grab a flathead for a future project(a stock looking model A). I need to know what motor to deside on. Which is cheapest, strong or reliable? I even found a hemi! Its in peices and rusty though... I can get some of my soldiers to help me carry it out next weekend If I have too.
If I had to lift out of a yard, I would make a latter kind of carrier that you can attach a chain from the engine to the latter and make it so about 6 guys can grab and lift like the slaves of egypt to carry the heart of your next queen to her new throne.
Any post war Flatty is good. '49-'53 seem to have the best parts available and the most options for transmissions. My first choice would be a '49-'53, then any post war engine.
Well, Two of my stronger friends and I lifted one just off the ground and into the back of my truck a few weeks ago. No fluids, no waterpumps, generator, or intake on it. And... I wouldn't do it again. H...E...A...V...Y...! You're not gonna be moving it very far without some other form of mechanical advantage. Got a mule or a horse?
Did you find a loose cylinder head with the spark plug tubes in it yet? If so, I think that was a DeSoto engine if my memory is correct...
I picked up a fully loaded carb to pan v-8 60 a couple weeks ago, iron side a tad over 4 bills had it high enough for my dad to put a couple tires under it My dad and i picked one into the back of a pickup once He is about 160lbs and i'm around 190 but i really wouldnt suggest most people to do it I think you guys are wrong on weight, i've heard around 650 which is way more than a sbc at 527lbs
My old engine swapping book says 569 lbs. for a complete flathead. And for what it's worth 575 lbs. for an SBC
Some vague but practical stuff: A short block (no flywheel, heads, manifold) is not too bad a lift for 2 people. It could be carried quite a ways with frequent rest stops, and would be much easier if you added a few long 3/8 bolts at each end for better handles. Full engine with all accessories...realistically 4 strong people for anything more than a quick heave into a truck. Again, add some long bolts (nuts tightened against block) as handles. V8 60's ain't hardly nothin'...I once helped INSTALL a 60 with only 3 people total personnel. Onto the transmission splines and all.
shouldn't be to bad if you bring a friend, if you need to carry it any distance make sure your friend is stronger than you are. can't be more than 550 lbs fully dressed. I have lifted a bare block ot of my 4x4 pickup bed many times heavy, but possible.
....oh, about 2 1/2 pounds.......... ba dum! The early 21 stud flatty weighs 525, the later ones go 569 - those extra 6 studs are heavy!
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