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 bullshit. 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