are there any negatives to a 1949 flathead motor

I found a complete 1949 flathead motor, trans, radiator, and other misc parts for the motor for a very good price locally

are there any negatives to using the later year flatheads compared to the earlier years ?

I would like to run a pair of aftermarket heads on the motor along with an intake manifold to use with 3 2bbl carbs for the motor also
I dont really care about making a lot of power I just want a nice vintage looking motor ( I dont want to run a sbf, or sbc motor)

just looking for some advice possibly on the later year flathead Ive been searching but havent gotten anything specific on them

it will be going in a model a rod

 

Are there any negatives? Not really.

 

In a word: NO. The later flatheads ('49-'53) are every bit as stout or reliable as the early models and easier to work on in the bargain (full floating bearings as in the early engines are not for the faint of heart.). The only bad thing about the late engines is the "Loadamatic" distributor which is a vacuum only device and not too friendly to dual carb setups.

 

8ab?

 

"8ab", must be blood type.

 

And by swapping parts, you can make it look like the older engine if you so desire.

 

mine has been running since 1949 so they must be good.

 

Check very carefully for cracks. But this aplys to all Flatheads not just '49s.
Good luck

 

Because of the distributor, the late flatheads are and inch or so longer. Don't know what you are putting it in but sometimes that inch or so is helpful. As flatjack wrote, the early distributor can be put on the later engine.

Neal

 

Hell I hope not, mines been hittin' on all eight for about ten years.

 

From what i have seen and heard. the 8BA flathead is more prone to cracking due to thinner cylinder walls. again not sure if its true but the thinner cyl walls thing souded official to me . but like others have said nope there arent any real negatives.

 

Usually no problem boring the 8BA out .125. Depends on how rusty the water jackets are.

 

I think the front water outlets in the heads look better than the earlier middle outlets.
But that's just me......

 

I have one and it's as reliable as any other motor. Get a mechanical advance distributor from GMC Bubba, they are the cat's ***

 

I believe you'll have a few more options with the later (49-53) flathead.
If your going to run 3 carbs you'll have to replace the cam with something more aggreessive. I'm at a little higher al***ude than most, running two carbs with a stock cam and it's too rich. One more word of advice; finding a good flathead your first go around could be tough. A lot of them have been sitting a long time. Have someone who knows them look it over closely.

 

No negatives, all positive, even the ground! Drive it like you stole it....

 

draginstell, what is going on with your radiator hose in the picture? Radiator cap?
I am thankful for the info I got here, I was going to ask the same question about the later flatheads. Do most people perfer the earlier ones for the looks?
When are the years for the babbit bearings versus the floating type.
Any good books to get so I can bump up the knowledge factor?
Sorry for the hijack.

 

Ford did not believe in making newer models lesser quality or performance than later ones. The late flatties are the peak of Ford Flathead V8 factory development.
ENJOY.

 

thnx for all the replies
hopefully going to be picking it up in the next few weeks
I have to take a long drive to go get it
but Im definately getting it
it was supposed to be running in a truck about 3 years ago and has been stored in a garage since
so hopefully it does not need anything major

Im wanting to run a 3 carb setup and I would like to go with a set of aftermarket heads on it also

any recommendations on what to look for for an intake and carb setup and cam setup to use ?

 

typically a 2x2 carb setup is plenty enough, and easier to tune to boot. all the intakes are fairly close in performance, so if your thinking of heads too, maybe you just want to look for the easiest way to get some matching heads and intake. as far as cam, you cant go wrong with the 3/4 race cam from ISKY. its good for NA street motors all the way up to blown race motors

 

Only that you cant get enough of them.

 

49-53 are the more sought after flattys. You can't go wrong with one,if it has no cracks...

 

I have to agree the later blocks are all right. Henry's engineers made cooling improvements in the later ('48-'53 trucks & '49-'53 Fords & Mercs) by forcing more water to the rear of the block.

The loadamatic dizzy is a problem with multiple carbs though so you should probably budget for a replacement (MSD, Mallory or converted Chevy from Bubbba) for your build.

I have an Offie 3-pot intake with 97's, Hellings & Stellings type air cleaners, stainless fuel lines, aluminum fuel block, progressive linkage & chrome road draft tube I may be willing to part with. Also have a Chevy 1-wire chrome alternator and mount. If you're interested PM me for details.

Jim

 

No thats not just you. I don't like putting on a nice multi carb setup and blocking the view with the center outlet radiator hose.

 

Other than price?.....no.