The message below is one I posted on the 'Metalshapers' forum. One of the members suggested I 'get in touch' with you guys. This place sounds like what I'm looking for but if not, please suggest an alternative. Thanks, David Hello all, I'm not sure if this message is appropriate for this group but I obviously thought I would put it out there. If this is not the place, could you suggest one? I have a 'hot rod', the Little Monster, (so named by the local newspaper) that I got from my dad. He built it in the early '50's. I earned it by working for him one summer in his collision repair shop. (I'm 61 years old.) He started with a '37 Ford Tudor. He removed the top, grafted on '41 Chevrolet front fenders to the front and rear. I'm not sure what the rear deck is but the only original sheet metal pieces on it are the dash and the hood. The rear seat is positioned behind a second windshield as on a dual cowl phaeton. Access to the rear seat is by two steps in the RR fender. Getting to the point, the car has been sitting idle since I went into the Navy in 1968. The '41 Flathead that he installed has not been run since then. The car will require major restoration to all components as well as the sheet metal. Before I begin this project I would like to know if keeping it as he built it, with '37 running gear and the '41 Flathead is a viable option for a driver with an occasional road trip. If not, are there any modifications that might make it usable without changing its character. Believe me, it has lots of character! Thanks, David
Welcome, David... The flathead V8 was reliable then & still reliable today. Your challenge will likely be whether or not your particular flathead is frozen up or not. If not, you can probably get away with just some marvel mystery oil down the plug holes to hopefully help unseat any stuck rings. Even if it's frozen up, depending on how bad it is, many folks have unfrozen them & run them as-is. I'd post over on the main board & you'll get more and more detailed responses...
The Jalopy Journal
