Need schoolin' 53 Merc Flatty V8

finding them doesn't seem to be hard if you keep your eyes open. finding a good one can be another story though.
I've picked up 2 since january. one is an 8RT that came with 2 transmissions, a box of carbs, 2 bellhousings, a bunch of trim for a 51 ford truck(which I didn't need, but hey, same price), couple of choke cables and emergency brake cables, and a few clutches and starters.
That one I could have rebuilt as-is, just needed an oil pump. got the whole kit for 250 bucks and was very happy.

second one was an 8BA that came complete with fordomatic transmission, crossmember, and radiator. even had the oil breather on it. took me 4 days to get it apart, and I finally cut the rods in half to get the crankshaft out then put a piece of pipe on the rod stubs to pound the pistons out with a hammer. that one has small cracks between the water jackets and the center head holes, and 2 cylinders may need sleeving. Useable, but not cheap. paid 15 bucks more for it than I did for the good one.

gotta make a run to georgia tomorrow to pick up another one that matches the engine in my 40 ford pickup. no Idea what shape it's in yet, but a complete 40 model engine with 3 speed still bolted up for 199 bucks is something I'll take a chance on. FIgure if I'm gonna run these engines, a spare block would be nice to have in the future. for 199 bucks I'll take whatever I can get off it.

parts are available from a lot of sources, from OEM parts to racing. The machine shop I'm using locally priced me a whole rotating ***embly with a 4" stroke crank and 3-5/16" pistons for 1650. that doesn't include balancing though. Old guy who works there was trying to sell me an old set of edelbrock 3-7/16" pistons, but I don't think you can safely bore them that much.

If you can get a whole engine fairly cheap It can be worth getting even if you can't inspect for cracks. the bellhousing, oil pan, oil filter housing, and other parts come in handy.

y'all have a good day, Keith

 

??
This Needs more ?"thinking"
I think?

Can anyone back this info up????????????????????


Length, Width, Dimension???

???????

Just thinking out-loud....



???




.

 

Very True,


There are indeed, plenty 'o Flatheads out there,



.

You just have to bring $$$ money, And Then maybe,


Go Lookin




.

 

"Can anyone back this info up????????????????????" On the cranks I have, the Mercs are a bit over 6" and the Fords somewhat under. This is of course for late cranks, readily spottable by the double oil holes for the rods.
Can't entirely remember, but I believe the earlier (one hole per throw) Ford cranks do NOT fit this and have about 6" across the weight...maybe I'll remember to check that.
Doesn't matter, because easy to tell early from late and any early with more than 3 3/4 will be some kind of interesting early speed item.

 

Oh forgot to get back on this thread..

the deal died..back to your regularly scheduled HAMB