Full house Flathead, what is it worth?

Guys,

I hate these threads as much as the next guy but I need some advice.

A guy at work has this flathead forsale and I have been on the hunt for one for a while to replace the tired old 59A in my Model A coupe.

The engine is a beautiful time machine of what a flathead would have looked like in the '40s and '50s, Wieand heads and 2x2 manifold, Dual 97 strombergs, dual point ignition, it spins over, but the rest is a mystery.

We tried to remove the heads but they are really stuck on there good to take a look for cracks in the cyclinders.

The guy is friend and said he would work with me but I still want it to be fair to both parties.

What is a fair price with an unknow condition of the engine?

I can't pay too much if it still needs a rebuild.

Tex

 

Will it turn over?

 

If it was me, I would figure out what the speed equipment is worth and add a couple hundred.

 

Thats the best advice I think

 

Good advice so far. That it turns is half the battle. However, if a hot rod engine is sitting for all those years, why was it pulled? Best case, ***ume it needs a rebuild. Worst cast, I've never seen a flathead block which didn't have some cracks in it. Flatheads can be difficult to work a fiber optic borescope over into the cylinders, but might give you a clue.

If I were the seller and all I wanted was to be fair, I'd throw it out for sale here and on craigslist for best offer and give you the guarantee you could have it for $1 more.

jack vines

 

Might get lucky maybe the car was wrecked or sold and the engine kept. Id pull the heads before buying. Too many variables.

 

Yep, if you want to be fair pull the heads/oil pan and inspect it. Then you know what you're buying.

 

If you are friends then a compression test would not hurt and obviously if you are both serious about doing a deal try to get it running on the floor/pallet etc.

 

It does spin over and the story is the engine was pulled because the car got wrecked, but who knows the condition, did it smoke or use oil?

My thought was the same: add up the speed equipment value and add a little on top of that for the engine.

-Weiand Heads $500 pair?
-Weiand 2x2 $200?
-Two Strombergs $400
-Dual point distributor $100?

What do you think?

 

For an idea of the engines condition. Look at the spark plugs. wet with oil means there's an issue there. and look in the exhaust manifolds. Same thing. Wet oil is a problem, dry carbon is OK.

You could then put a little oil in the cylinders and do a leak down test and a compression check.

If it looks good, hook it up and get it running.

It does have the looks of a running engine. If it has been stored dry you could have a winner there.

 

Heads- 500.00 if they are not too eaten up
That tall Weiand- 700.00-800.00
Strombergs- 100.00 or so each
Harmon Collins- 500.00-800.00 depending on shape


With that fan on the front of the crank pulley it is out of a 1939 Deluxe-1941 Ford

 

You could even block off the water in/out and hook up a port to pressurize the water system. 7 psi. and listen for leaks. Each side is a separate system. you can find bad heads and blocks this way. also bad head gaskets.

 

Yup I think your prices are dead on. I've been trying to buy these same parts and you got the range.

 

That engine is awesome. Manifold is a good one.

 

I would offer 1500 based on what i see, as for anything else its a mystery

 

I would start the talks at $1000. You can always go up, but at least that is a nice round figure to throw out.

Even in the best case scenario you are going to rebuild it. The odds of just plopping it in and having it run well is slim to none. As you know, building a flathead is right up there costwise with a hemi, early Olds, Cad, etc. So you will have some money in it before it is all over.

If the negotiations go to $ 1500 I think that would be my top price, but that is just my opinion.

Don

 

That are fair prices for both parties

 

It's on AZ Craigs List for $1350. If it was near me I would have it by now and you would be SOL.

 

You have been given good advice so far, but the 1ST thing to do is support the front of the engine on that stand, so you don't find it on the floor. The integral '32-'48 bell housing is not strong enough to safely hold these engines on standard engine stands.

 

That is what I see too.

Getting the heads off without damaging them is one problem, second it when you do get them off, they may be junk.

Value of those heads as they sit now is $0. Get them off without damage, value will problably be $250 figuring in damage from corrosion.

The other "go fast" goodies should have value and the engine could have a good cam, lifters, and crank.

Neal

 

We worked out a deal today and I pick up the engine tomorrow........I got lucky because I work with the guy that owns it.

BTW: I told him about the weakness of the bellhousing and we went over and supported the front of the engine with a hoist so it is secure.

I can't wait to get this on my special flat head engine stand.

 

Yea i offered him $1100 for it and he wouldn't budge! i p***ed because of the heads and didn't give him the $1350 he was asking on craigslist. Whats funny is he said he was selling it for some old lady??? hmm??? goodluck