Flathead V-8's. What do I need to know?

Chiro - just build it! You will fell so much better being different. SBC are fine, but like so many here have said, Flatties are way cool and sound great. Price...I wanted one professionally built and got a quote of 12K with a T5 installed. Turn Key price. Holy **** I said. And this was for a stock looking rebuild 3/4 cam, two duces, but not much more (no chrome even). So I went to another shop. 5400 turn key (but no trans). Then last night a friend of mine called and said he was going to put another Flattie in his 34 and said I could buy his 52 Merc Flattie. The price is under 2500! We need to rplace a few things to freshen it up and I'm fine with that. So the way I look at it is I just saved 9k! Hum.... things happen for a reason. Go fo it.

 

Just another though about reliability. After Henry was done with the flathead he sold the rights to the French who used them in there military transport vehicles until 1990. That's another 36 year after Ford gave them up.

 

Regarding the overheating issues in flatheads, Street Rodder just covered that in their last issue (June 2010?. Redesigned water pumps, newer radiators, proper engine prep (i.e. acid dip, hot tank etc..) to get rust out and water jackets open, will go a long way in solving overheating issues. Go for it.

5056671]Yes one degree either way is a huge player. Part of that learning curve[/QUOTE]

 

Flatty update!!!

I been looking around and found a flatty that appears to have been rebuilt, but never completed or run. I'm going to have a look at it this coming weekend after Thanksgiving. The owner doesn't know much about it. He is a carpenter and the engine was given to him by a customer whose ex-husband left it behind. Mr. carpenter has the oil pan off and it appears that the cylinders have been done, new pistons, etc. but never run. It is ***embled with heads and apparently a stock intake on it. Here are the numbers he has found on the engine, 59 stamped into bellhousing portion of block, 59A-6050-B stamped into heads as well as 59AB stamped into top of the heads.

Can anybody tell me what he has so I know what to offer the guy? He wants $700.

Thanks,

Andy

 

"59" stamped on bellhousing. It is a 59AB, '46-'48 vintage. standard bore of 3 3/16 and 3 3/4 stroke will give you 239 cu. in.

If a reputable overhaul, good deal.

Neal

 

You can give me a call 818-248-2371 if you need some advise. H&H Flatheads

 

Anybody else?

 

First - maybe it's just me - just look at a flathead V8
If YOUR crank doesn't spin freely then maybe not for you.
My motor was a sweetheart deal - my friend Dario up in M***
called and said he knew a guy that was rebuilding a truck but
stopped after the motor. He went over and it was a 59AB on a run stand.
They ran it - sounded good - Dario crated it and sent it to Texas.
It started first try and I ran it all last summer - in traffic - in the heat
with no overheating. $1500 + $500 shipping