Hot Rods JUST HOW RELIABLE IS A FLATHEAD TODAY

HRP - have you got it home yet ?……

 

My Buddy has the Flathead out of my ‘48 Truck in his A Truck , he’s running an S10 5 Speed , S10 rear , not one issue to date . I think as best as I can recall it has 3.23 Rear Axle ratio . My engine had been rebuilt sometime in the past . It was punched .030 over stock . He installed , Offy heads and 2 , 94s on it also.

The only issue that is always in the back of ones mind is , or at least mine would be if she breaks where do you get a part to keep her alive for the return trip home .

If you think about it , my ‘32 is running a SB Ford , point ign., and a carb . What’s much difference with this and a Flathead ? They are both antiques from different eras . Parts are not usually stocked for either anymore at the big parts stores . A set of points and a condenser , and maybe a pump for a long trip and I would not look back .

 

Things to keep in the trunk if you're running a flathead - Lh and Rh waterpumps, distrubutor, 1 94 carb for when the 97 puke, 2 top and 2 bottom water hoses, fan belts, spare generator, at least 1 headgasket, spare dist and points and condensers, coil, starter and solenoid, spare heater hose, 2 thermostats, a radiator and finally a spare "U" joint. Now you'll be set to travel.

 

Dad had a Flathead in his 51 Vicky. Drove it for 35 years. It had the stock overdrive with the stock rear end. He had a 3 carb setup but only ran one. He drove like no one was following him. You had to have a little horsepower to catch up to him in heavy traffic. Went to Minnesota to a show. The guy following us asked what he had in it. Flathead. The guy goes ********. So dad opens the hood. The guy was shocked. He still talks about it to this day.

 

I see no reason it to use the flat motor. I been driving my 39 ford since the late 1990s. Country driving and big city driving. Never need to worry. Still as dependable today as when I first built it

 

I just realised it is your car that she is "excited" about.

 

They're good for about 50,000 Mi. before they are dead tired. I'd go for a Nailhead Buick engine, they go 300,000 Mi.

 

Very reliable. Over 50,000 miles in last ten years, only 1 issue; switched out distributor while on a 3 day 800 mile reliability run (took 10 minutes), never overheats and runs all day long at 70mph.
1948-59ab: 286 ci, Stromberg 48’s, 3-71 blower: 6lbs boost, Harman-Collins 1400 distributor, t10 five speed: 2.95 1st; 70 overdrive, Ford 8” rear: 4:11 trac-lok.

 

Shoot; might as well stay home or tow a spare car