Hot Rods Flatheads, love em or leave em?

So, recently a couple of buddies have offered up some free flatheads. I can have 4 or so for free. Different stages of disrepair. I have always been an OHV guy, but I am getting nostaligic the older I get.

So, what are the pros and cons of a 24 stud flattie? I know they had different issues, but if a guy wanted to drive coast to coast, what would be the thing that would most likely leave you stranded? If I use one, it will have the T5 conversion for sure and open driveline.

 

TAKE THEM!

24 stud has the most parts availability as far as the aftermarket.

 

Use an 8BA. Later style distributor, and a few other misc niceties. Get an SBC distributor from Bubba. I had an 8BA rebuilt for mine. 3/4 cam and a modernish 4 barrel (you can see details in my post history).
Most overheating problems on Flatheads come from timing problems, and poorly cleaned blocks with casting sand trapped in various passages. Flush the block out good, and use new waterpumps. A lot of people hate on Flatheads around here, but you'd have no issue driving cross country in one.

Winning races on the other hand is a different story.

 

So....how badly do you need some boat anchors?

 

I am with GreenMonster48 on this. Take them. Nothing better than a flatty. I like the 59A block with the crab distributor. As GreenMonster48 mentioned, make sure the block is clean.

 

It will be the most money you have spent to make 200 hp but the looks and sound are priceless. Here is mine in mock up.



--louis

 

Hi. When you have them cleaned out be sure to replace all the casting plugs (freeze plugs) as the block cleanout will almost always cause them to loosen & or lose their seal & that can leave you stranded for sure.
I started driving is 1953 and the 3 most memorable engines that I have had is as follows in order that I had them-
1952 hopped up 4 cyl MG. Ran like a bat out of hell for a little 4 cyl. Would go around 110 in that little MG.
1953 ford flathead V8 in a 53 Ford Convertible I customized back then.
1965 265 Chevy in a 39 Ford coupe that I both drove & drag raced locally back then.
1957 hopped up 235 Inline Chevy 6 in my current 46 Chevy Coupe.

All the cars & engines in between these 4 were nothing but necessary transportation and very few memories.

Build memories as everything is a waste of time.
Jimmie

 

When I started on mine I took two old shity sheets of 3/4 plywood stacked on top of each other, I then would pick up the block six/eight inches and then drop it. I ended up getting about half a quart of casting sand out of it.

 

Take them; out of the four you're likely to end up with at least one usable block. It'll cost a lot to build a good one, but it'll be dependable... Personally, I like the looks of a 59A over a 8BA. The front water outlets and distributor just don't look right to me.

 

Free is a good price, take them.They dont eat anything sitting in the shed.

 

When I had the Flat head in my 50 Merc. I Drove the Car about 75 K
back that you could go to any Parts Store & get a Part
now days go in to a Store and ask for a Part for a 50 Merc.
after the Laff'ter They look at you Weird, even with the Chevy
in the Merc they ask me the Year & make & Model so if you don't know the Year
of your Engine you are SOL
unless you go to Napa.!

just my 3.5 cents
or when the Cows
come Home.

 

I just want to make sure because 4 takes up a lot of real estate.
One is a Mercury.

 

Does the Merc have the 4" crank in it? That's worth a hell of a lot more than Free right there!

 

I heard that the Mercs had 2 versions, one being the 4" and the other was 3.750" I think. Maybe, 3-7/8" I can't remember.

 

Flatheads Forever the original hotrod motor, in my experience look out for cracked blocks, check EVERYWHERE most common is intake and exhaust cracks going to the cylinder and also the center main bearing of the crankshaft I've had 3 and two are displays now lol


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Most fun you can have without exceeding the speed limit.

 

I was never a fan, because I knew very little about them, I now have a 31 roadster with a late model connected to a c4 rebuilt the engine had Charlie in ny build a couple 94's used a early offenhouser that I had and I'm here to tell ya it's a ball to cruise,



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They would already be in my shop.

 

Take all 4 and move three along. You'll double your money and make 3 new friends.


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As far as dependability , put in an electronic ignition , and run 12 volt. new pumps, and keep valves adjusted, and you should be fine. I drive them all over. but I do carry certain spare parts and tools "just in case"

 

I have several. I just finished a McCullough powered 8ba sounds like a hopped up small block! It's a bad dude...

 

Mine is an 8RT motor with earlier heads and pumps. Easy to do. The 4" cranks came in the 8CM motors. Though you might get lucky since who knows what they were rebuilt with. Mine came with a nice set of Johnson adjustable lifters which I had Pete1 rebuild. If someone offered me 4 core motors I would be over there with a trailer in a heart beat.

--louis

 

I've got one for my Model A Vic as that is the way I always planned to build a Model A.

If you have room to stick them in dry storage until you or someone else figures out what to to with them grab them. Trading material at worse case basis for a project at best case. Mine came because one of my buddies knew that I was looking for one and one of his buddies got one with a project that ran good but he didn't want.

 

One of them was running. It was in a bare frame, but the tarp blew off. Now, the condition is unknown.

 

You're killing me .....



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How are you going to ever face your inner hoarder if you turn offers like that down...

 

I am a hoarder, that is part of the problem.......trying to get you guys to talk me out of it.

 

Wrong forum.

--louis

 

Probably so....

 

Get them, save some money and build them up to drive. They are pretty here's a pic of mine that might inspsire you.