I found a 49 Plymouth Special Deluxe a few minutes away from where I work, and it seems pretty reasonable. It has the original flat head 6 in it, and three on the tree. Everything looks really good on the car, needs some body work, but it's nothing I can't handle. It starts right up and drives with no problems. My question is this, since this is my first car with a flat head, what kinds of upgrades can be done to the motor, and where can I find them? I've searched online and I couldn't find too much info on the motor itself. I know there has to be guys or gals on here with experience with this motor... Thanks in advance
there have been a BUNCH of posts about hopping these up. My personal daily is a '50 Dodge with 230 motor. Currently Offy 2X1 intake and split manifold. Edgy head, cam, dual points coming SOON. Look at the weird intakes post for one cool flathead six.
pull the engine and trans and get rid of them. Do the same with the rear dif. You will be happier, and wealthier in the end. I think that engine makes around 70 hp stock, and if you throw a bunch of money at it you might get 100 out of 'er. Then you'll proly blow the rear out of it anyways. Go find a nice 250 chevy, or even a sbc, or even a sbf (need a rear sump tho)... also get a disc brake kit from plydo, or clip it, or just put it on an s10 chas. the stock brakes ****. having said all that... Its an ugly car, and needs a serious chop.
show us the pictures...i like those, great lines and kinda different...a great alternative to the shoebox.
Log onto P15 D24.com for info, go to the forum for questions and answers. there is stuff out there, a fellow in Pa who makes dual intakes and exhausts, and remans the carter B1B's to work as a pair. Engines respond well to higher compression through milling, decking. stock engine is 218 ci, 7 to 1 CR, 97 HP, run un unleaded no problem. Offy still making dual manifolds for them. Yer car do it yer way, but the flat 6 is a reliable quiet smooth running engine with good dose of torque. Only problem is rear end is usually 4.4 to 1 or 3.9 to 1, not happy at much over 65. Unusual Ujoints on drive shaft so any rear end swap will need new drivehaft. Jeep cherokee Dana 35 is a good easy swap as ar charger, satelite MOPAR 8.5 and of course Ford 9 inch.
Get the car do some mild custom stuff to it and just enjoy it as a cruiser. I'm starting a 51 plymouth concorde fastback in the spring. The engines are bullet proof and easy to work on. you can find split manifolds for the 230 and some other simple stuff. On mine i plan to change the rear end and also look for an overdrive. They are cool cars and you don't see many on the roadGood luck with yours. Gregg
Thanks for replies, guys. I've always wanted to have a nice cruiser with a flat head, but once I looked at this one, I suddenly realized I knew next to nothing about flat heads... I'm going to meet the seller tomorrow and hopefully test drive it, I will snap some shots if I find the camera. If I do get it though, it won't stay metallic brown for long...
Here's a pretty interesting one featured in R&C awhile back. Dig the carson top, and the front end treatment's pretty cool too. http://rodandcustommagazine.com/featuredvehicles/92099/index.html
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