Hot Rods Flathead Durability

While you are looking for a V8 as far as I can tell, I will chime in with my experience. I have basically as stock Model A (slightly warmed up) Sedan-a heavy car for a 40 HP motor. Well moved from the Bay Area of Calif. to NW Washington with her. I took a week off from work and did about 250 miles a day. She drove just fine at 50ish MPH. Flatheads LOVE slow RPM's and speeds. Couple that with a good oil change regimen and an air filter and you will be fine. They are damn near bullet proof in this way. Oh, I added an O/D that shaves off about 200+ RPMs in 3rd and she smoothed right out. Now I have to make sure I don't speed on accident.

A recommendation for the bottom end is shell bearings as babbitt will last but not as long. Stick with points so if something goes wrong you can fix it by the side of the road.

My 2 cents worth, Mike