I'm about to buy a flathead!

I came across a '40 flathead, complete pan to carb with the ******. The guy said it ran when he hooked it up to a batt and a can of gas. ANyway, he wants $900 for the engine and trans. Is that a pretty good deal? I think it is but I am debating on whether I should stick with my original plan to do the SBC/saginaw setup instead. I just can't decide

 

Does he know anything about it? If it known to be a good engine and transmission the price is fair.

 

I'm pretty sure he just knows that it runs.

 

if its not baked, blasted and magnafluxed, ***ume its full of cracks. because it probably is. just something to keep in mind.

 

if ya go sbc, i need that motor.

 

See if he will let you pull the heads. Offer to repalce the head gaskets if you don't like what you see.

 

Before I paid that much I would want to hear it run. Like it was said, ***ume that it is cracked because if it is, it's only worth what the accessories are....

I still think $900 is high. I just bought a Merc for $225 and a guy priced me a complete 59ab for $350 the other day(which I thought was high). Now, with that being said, I know these engines go for more in other areas. Around here, I know ole' fellas that will sell pretty cheap. So, my perspective is tainted. Aside frome mine and my grandpa's new motors, we've never paid more than $350 and it was a Merc too. Also, I won't buy one unless it's complete. I don't want one that someone ftook apart and forgot to mark the mains and rod caps. These engines aren't cheap to rebuild but the SBC is, but they are certainly not the same. All depends on what you're looking for.

Ask yourself this

What are you wanting; nostalgia and sound or power and saving $? I still wouldn't trade in my flatty, though! Nevertheless, a SBC done right looks great too. Do a search for making a SBC, late model, look vintage. There is a really cool orange SBC in a black hot rod.

Again, my view is tainted. We know a lot of ole' guys that have this stuff laying around. This is why I buy it up when it's cheap. I don't resale but will trade stuff. I will be needing this stuff when most have dropped by the way-side in 30 years.

 

Here it is... Man, I love that orange one!!!! I wouldn't kick the other one out of bed for eating crackers either!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43298&highlight=vintage+sbc

 

I agree with Flat, $900 is way high. For that kind of money I'd want to see it drive up running. If it was a late merc with 4" crank and running good with all accessaries I'd maybe get that high, the Merc crank's worth $400 and more in some places.

I found a guy wanting to put an sbc in his 49 Merc which was running great and I gave $700 for it 7 years ago. Keep looking, there's more guys out there doing that, just gotta be patient.
Good luck,