I am starting my first flathead project. I bought 40 merc engine with edlebrock heads (hasen't run in years tho) used to run on the drag strip in Ft. Smith in the 60's. Should I try to remove the heads after all these years? The intake has been changed back to a 2 bbl. I want to run a 2 duce that I have. Some of the intakes I have are for 49 - 53. Will I need to do anything to run the newer one, or should I use the old style? Thanks ,I know I'll get the stright poop here.
Depends on what your intentions are for it. Where was it stored? Does it turn over freely? If you are going through it you will need to take the heads off. As for the newer intakes I know some guys on here can help you with that they are different but I am not sure if it is the newer or older style that you have to block off something but these guys are great help. good luck.
Thanks, It was running about 2 yrs ago when I got it. The guy was making a streetrod out of the 40 coupe, and sold me all the running gear. I heard it run a few min. the gas tank wasn't hooked up so it ran about a pint of gas trhu it.
I was in the same boat. I had no idea how long it sat. Once I got the frame all mocked up, I got it running. It seemed to run fine and didn't smoke so I went for it. That was 11 years ago. I don't put a lot of miles on it but it's still tickin' The early and late intakes will interchange. There are some extra holes on one of the designs. The stock fuel pump could cause a problem with the right length fuel pump push rod to match your intake. I run an electric pump and don't worry about it. We once got a flatty to run that had been parked outside for 15 years just to see if we could. We had to unstick a few valves but it ran ok. We never did anything with the motor so it could have been full of cracks but it ran ok.
A later intake will fit onto the older engine fine. While your at it. Install a pcv system explained in the tech files here. Its one of the best things you can do for it. It also eliminates any oily smell and film from the breather during operation. Check your compression. It should at least be 100-120 psi or higher and the books say all cylinders should be within 10% of one another. A leakdown test is also a good choice if you dont plan to pull the heads right away. While its still setting around before installation, pour some Marvel mystery oil down each sparkplug hole and turn it over everyday. In order for the cylinder to hold the fluid it must be at the compression stroke to let soak. Otherwise it'll just run through. You 'll have to rotate the engine to soak all the cylinders. It will loosen up any stuck valve and clean it up.
Yes, just what I did to my 53 8BA. You will need to make provisions for your road draft tube in the oil gally. If you check out the PCV flathead tech thread there are ways of doing this. The 8BA block for some reason doesnt have the same number of intake holes, but an earlier intake will fasten down just fine and be happy doing it.
The Jalopy Journal
