In a few weeks I am traveling to take a look at a 32 roadster with a Ford Flat Head 60 in it. It will be my first Hamb Friendly vehicle. I have never owned nor driven a Flathead. It has a single 2 barrel on it. Not sure on the gears etc but what kind of driving can I expect. How far have some of you driven your Flatheads? What kind of mileage? I would love to drive it back but since it is an unknown to me and the distance is over 500 miles and through three large cities, I will be trailering it. The owner says it is not really a long distance car. Anyway getting excited at the prospect and curious what to expect. Thanks , Mike
Are you sure its a "60"? The 136" 60 H.P. engine was introduced in 1937 as an econo engine. It was a gutless piece in a full sized car and required a 4.44 rearend gear to make it viable. IMHO it is useless in any car that you intend to drive on the road. People have put them in Model As over the years and actually give up performance. Having said that, if that '32 still has the original engine, it was 65H.P. and 221". You need to study up on Flatheads before you leap.
I almost always drive them home, if they break down, then I trailer them. Big thing is just go easy and listen for things, they usually always give you a warning. I've had people tow me to auto parts stores, fixed the car in a parking lot and head on down the road. For some reason the Fords have always made it home but the chevy's usually have to be trailered. The trips have always been a great adventure to talk about and about half the cost of trailering. Just make sure the brakes work and don't be in a hurry. good luck
I think when the owner said it's not really a long distance car, I would think he would be talking about comfort. That's how a bunch of Okies, Texans and farmers from Kansas traveled during the great dust bowl to the west coast with very few auto parts stores along the way. Sounds like it would be a great trip, just plan it for a long weekend.
Hey they put them in roundy rounds and migets and pounded the piss out of them so you sould be just fine .let us know how the trip goes. Take tools water blanket and pack some food just in case you break down in BFE
I don't know why people are afraid to drive an old car long distances. At the time they were built, they were driven all over the country on roads that are WAY worse then the bad roads we have today.
Granted,but the speeds were definitely and they weren't 80 odd years old with unknown history. I have logged thousands of miles with a flathead but I knew what I had and it was a fresh engine. The car in question the OP says is a 60 HP,,not the best engine for high way speeds. If the car has the original V8 engine it has a 221 CI and 65 HP. HRP
Yep what he said and really what kind of performance can you expect with 60 hp in a 2000 lb car. If it is in good shape it will run forever as long as you don't expect it to be an SBC, they did get drive along old route 66 to get out west. Mileage I would suspect that 12 mpg is good if it is tuned well.
I would invite "con" a friend into a road trip. If the car is road worthy when you pick it up suggest your friend He drive the truck and trailer while you drive you 32. A good friend would even help you load the car if it breaks down. Enjoy The drive !
you are taking the trailer anyway, take a friend or the better half and drive the car back. if it breaks put it on the trailer.
driving sounds good, depending on condition of drivetrain, tires, brakes, wiring, etc. also, have to take into consideration the weather, possible side roads to use and how much time available for the trip.
500 miles -piece of cake http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/10160360/Peking-to-Paris-cl***ic-car-rally-2013-Lets-make-a-U-turn-and-doit-all-again.html Kelvin
Thanks everyone, your advice has been helpful and amusing at times. It is not a stock car. I'll post more later . Haven't anyone to take a road trip with so flying solo on this one. Someone of you mentioned people today fearing driving something like this long distance. It is just the unknown for me. Never owned one of these. My for fun cars have all been "Name not spoken" German cars. Funny In High School I drove that thing all over Texas and back never giving a 2nd thought to it. Now the one in my garage, I worry about going across town in it. Anyway I really do appreciate the advice and patience with a new guy to the Vintage American car hobby. Mike
My avatar is a 28 Ford with a V8 60, I ran a 3:78 rear gear, it would run down the road at 60 with out many problems but had on low end power. The stock rearend for the 60 is 4:44, low top speed but allowed the 60 to wind up where it had some power. The 60 come alive at about 2500 rpm, that is why they used them in sprint cars and race boats, kept them rapped out. They are a fun little engine but not good in a car you want to run down the highway.
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