I'm a total newbie and am wondering what are the best guides to rebuilding-hopping up a flatty... I would like to find a dvd that breaks one down and builds it up like you see for sale on ebay for the common SB 350's. I looked on ebay for any dvd's on building flatties and did not find any but found this new book... is this as good as it gets.. ? thanks... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JUST...Z6759QQitemZ7994677361QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
Actually that particular book skips most of the build process. They acknowledge that it would take a seperate book to cover it properly - and that there are several good books out there already.
what year flatheads are 59A's? the one i'm getting is a 60hp from sometime between 37 to 41 i believe... not sure yet.
Mike Davidson has done 3. Check flatattackracing.com Lots of analysis of techniques, heads inlets, cams etc.
ive got some of mikes books very helpful. nice guy too btw, i got to give him a ride in my RPU at b-ville couple of years ago. book by frank oddo is also quite good. get a factory shop manual as most all current books dont mention 60hp v8's and they are a differnt animal.
Yes, he's thorough. Apart from moving and setting up a new workshop his streamliner is coming along well also.
I've got "How to Build a Flathead Ford V-8" by George McNicholl. It has some pretty good info. The book also covers the builds of a blown flatty and an Ardun conversion.
I have done a few flatmotors and tend to like Frank Oddos book. It addresses most of the problems in a language most can understand. It has been revised several times so is fairly current.
59As are 1946 thru 1948 Ford and Mercury 239", 100 H.P. engines. The 60 H.P. is the 136" econo engine that's mostly good for midget racers or novelty. They make a minor improvement in performance in a Model A but generally they're not woth messing with.
I like the Oddo book, but it only really deals with 8BA style engines ('49-'53) There's not alot of difference between them and a 59A, but there are differences. Alot of the hop up books reprinted from "back in the day" deal with performance mods that there just aren't parts around for anymore (at least not easily findable/affordable ) You might have a challenge finding parts for a V8-60 rebuild, but this is the place to ask. Here and the Fordbarn. Good luck with your build, Flatman
found a 59a block engine so i will go with these guides, thanks for the tips.. you guys think there should be a special section for flatty threads only?
Here are a few links and sources. I need to update it a bit, but there are no big gaping holes. http://flatheaddrag.com/links.html
I found the McNicholl book, and Joe Abbin's flathead book very helpful in taking me step by step through the various rebuild processes.....there are cost estimations in mcNicholl's book too......it's big and colorful too.....really good photos... Brucie
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