Best Flathead rebuild manual?

I've got a 52 ford flathead engine.

There are a few different books available on how to rebuild this bad boy.
Which are the most recommended?

I'd like to be sure to get a list of machining steps that should be done to the block, as well as assembly tips, etc.

 

I haven't looked at to many of them but I have used Frank Oddo's "Ford Flathead V-8 builders handbook" by Fisher books. It should help you out plenty with your process.

 

I agree with sixcarb, a good book! There are several others too but that's a good one for you.

 

One by Bishop (not our Bishop) "rebuilding the flathead..." or close to that
Ford's own 1948 vitage book on overhauling '37-48 engines--available in repro
The so-called '39-48 shop manual, actually a Canadian '46 manual with added stuff, excellent, from Cranknhope
The even better 1942 Ford staff car manual--available in repro from the military nut sources
for late stuuf, '49-51 truck or car shop manuals
Tex Smith book--I think much better than Oddo's.
Also, download Rumbleseat's massive online flathead book.
Best general soupup/rebuild book is Ron Hollerans, hard to get now.
See ancient discussion on here of early Ford literature...

 

Here's my list:

1. Ron Holleran's - Nostalgia Rebuilding and Modifying the Flathead Ford V8

2. Frank Oddo's - Ford Flathead V8 Builder's Handbook 1932-1953
3. Ron Ceridono's - Tex Smith's The Complete Ford Flathead V8 Engine Manual

4. Mike Davidson's - How to Build the High Performance Street Flathead
5. Mike Davidson's - Flathead Fever How to Hot Rod the Famous Ford Flathead Engine

6. Ron Bishop’s – Rebuilding the Famous Ford Flathead
7. Joseph Abbin's - Blown Flathead How to Build a Supercharged Flathead Ford for the Street(this has some good basics for all flathead V8's)

8. Roger Huntington - How to Hop Up Ford & Mercury V8 Engines
9. George McNicholl's - How to Build A Flathead V8
10. Bill Sinclair's - Thunder Road Flathead Guide

Note: You can purchase Ron Holleran’s book directly from him. He has a limited number of books left after the printing so don’t wait too long if you want his. I highly recommend Ron’s book. Here is his address:
Ron Holleran:
Ron Holleran
390 Green MT Tpk.
Chester, VT 05143

The rest of the books are generally available from the big book houses or on Ebay................. Mac VP
www.flatheadv8.com

 

When you have all the cool paper in house, remeber this.

The best manual you will ever find is the HAMB
- Bruce
- 286merc
- AV8
- and so on.....They are numerous.

The HAMB manual has a special feature: YOU CAN TALK AND REASON WITH IT.
Yupp .....the truth.

Helped me out A LOT when hopping up my old flatty.

Good luck, and make it purr like a tiger with 239 hornet-stings.

Paul

 

Oh, I'm not shy, I am sure I will be asking the HAMB manual lots of questions.

But a good rebuild manual would probably take care of most of the easy ones.

I'll hunt for some of the suggested books.

Thanks.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23305&&showall=1

Check some of the flathead threads - a few of them have some book lists. Here's a really good flatty thread: