Going rate for a flathead rebuild?

I have the chance of picking up a 59ab for $50. ***uming the motor is a typical flattie with lots of miles, how much are you guys spending on a rebuild, ***uming you do most of the work yourself?

I'm a decent wrench, but I'd farm out the machine work, and do the diss***embly and ***embly myself. This motor is the first step toward a model a coupe. Is there a good place online for engine parts?

Also, what should I check for when inspecting the motor before buying it? Obviously whether it'll turn over by hand, but anything else? Does this motor have a tendency to have a cracked block in a certain place? Head problems?
Anything like that?

Thanks for any input!

 

Cracks-cracks and more cracks. All Ford flaties have a crack someplace, some you don't do anything with, most are fixable for not to much expence. The cracks in the valve area can get a little costly and the cracks that are in the cylinder area, get pretty costly. Have it cleaned and maged if you don't see anything with the naked eye.

 

depends on how you build it...if you run finned heads and a cam and multi carbs,etc.,expect a few thousand or better


and lift alot of weights cause they are heavy

 

Joe Moto! What's up mah brudda?

You buying more rusty ****? Move back out here and I'll give you a modelA frame for that project. You know you want to.

I know **** about flatheads other than a cracked one is worth about $50.

Why don't you ask these ****s about that screwy lifter in your truck instead?

see you next month Mijo.
R

 

Broham!

Yeah, can't wait to get out there. I might take you up on the A frame, but I get first pick.

I got the lifter fixed, but the valve clatter is still too loud. Gonna replace the valve cover gaskets and readjust all the valves. I've take the covers off so much I wore out the gaskets! Well, they don't seal as well anymore.

Turned out the "59ab" was a '39. He had 2 extra sets of heads, 59ab and 8cm. Wish he had the 8cm motor, I coulda gone for a Merc flattie!!!

Gonna go talk to a local guy about an A coupe. Sellin some junk to fund it. Just waitin to get cash in hand before I approach him.

Later

 

Flatties are expensive to build if you have to re-machine it and such.

Better to shell out a few hundred for a runner and start w/ that. still, theres no guarantees on having to rebuild...I say get a runner, go till it quits and fix it then.