Hi all- Things with my '51 ford are being sorted out by an auto-electric shop right now so I can now put my attention on my '52 crestline. I have tried to get the original flathead running countless times but it needs to be rebuilt. I want to get this car on the road, so, for the time being-what would be a suitable engine replacement? Is there any that simply bolt in? Or is there an adapter that can pair with the ford-o-matic currently in the car? Thanks!!! Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I don't get the idea of installing another engine "temporarily". Take out the old engine and rebuild it, have it back in place in a few weeks. Save the work and cost of installing another engine just to take it out again. If the old engine turns out to be too far gone to rebuild then you may have to think of a Plan B but no use worrying about that now.
I'm with Rusty on this as well. But if you are still thinking about another engine, I think you are pretty much limited to another similar year flathead.
might be an issue with certain 49-50 crankshafts that were piloted only for the stick shift trans. Seems like the automatic trans equipped vehicles had a crank with a larger pilot in the back for the auto trans input shaft.....could be wrong on this but there's something tickling my brain on this.
Well I guess my motivation for another engine is the cost. I am definitely an advocate for the flathead which is why the '51 in my family isn't at all different than stock. As a 17 year old trying to get a car that has sat for 30+ years Back on the road, a cheaper engine to get it on the road sooner is easiest for the time being. Unless anyone knows of an affordable flathead rebuilder near Boston? Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
What is wrong with the old engine? There is a chance it can be put back in commission as is. If not you may be able to fix it with a set of gaskets, rings, bearings and a valve job. Worst case, the block is cracked or some major disaster. In that case you may have to consider swapping in a different engine but then it becomes a permanent change. There is no point spending hundreds or thousands on a new engine, plus more hundreds for special parts to swap it in, if you don't have to. Notice there is an escalating staircase of difficulty and expense with an engine swap at the top. What I am saying is that either a rebuild or a swap could make sense but there is no point in planning on both.
Good advise.... you'd be wise to at least consider it carefully before committing to an engine swap. The 8BA in my '36 needed rebuilt and I thought I wouldn't be able to afford the cost as FHs are so expensive. I tore the truck apart to put a 283 in it and...as is typical...one thing led to another and it was 4 years later before it was back on the road. To add insult to injury... I managed to get the 8BA rebuilt during the same time period. Its now sitting in the back of my shop... I've never gotten around to starting it up. I love the truck with the 283 and have no complaints about that... But... I could saved myself a lot of time and money by just rebuilding the Flathead.
It has a stuck left water pump, and for some reason, the rebuilt starter can still barely crank the engine over. Anyone know why this could be?
A vast majority of us are hampered by costs. As a 17 year old with 2 cars, you are probably really hampered. I'd suggest focusing on a single car for now, while saving any extra money (!) to do the second car right. Take the time to find a rebuilder or a rod shop that might have flatheads that are in decent shape to swap. Rushing into a dis***embly to fix something without funds is a good way to make a whole car a parts car.
Forget the waterpump for now, they're cheap and easy to find. You need to take a deeper look. Pull the heads and intake manifold, give it a good visual inspection for rust, lube the cylinders and the lifters, and then crank with the starter. For all you know, there could be a mouse nest inside.
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