Register now to get rid of these ads!

What's a flathead worth?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by tdoty, Jun 26, 2006.

  1. tdoty
    Joined: Jun 21, 2006
    Posts: 821

    tdoty
    Member

    Okay, been asked probably a hundred times, but I'll go out on a limb here...........

    Found a '49-51 Merc in a local junkyard today. It's a 2-door Merc, I know that much, but I'm not up on the subtle (or not so subtle) differences in the years. I don't have room for the whole car, and it's missing the front fenders anyway, but it does have a stock 8CM sitting there. I'm going back tomorrow for some more parts, and want to ask about the engine and ****** from the car (betting on it being stuck anyway) and would just like to have a ballpark idea of how much is too much. I already know how much is too much for me :) .

    Also, since I mentioned it, anyone have a shopping list that they would like for me to shop from on this Merc? No front fenders and no interior (well, it has a steering wheel, a dash and door handles), but complete and ok enough to make it painful for me to see it sitting in a 'yard.

    Got some other goodies to shop for too, since I was too dumb to ask today. Amazing what farmers will turn into wagons :) !

    Tim D.
     
  2. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,404

    19Fordy
    Member

    $100 max. It's a gamble. Folks are gonna tell you how much the 4" crank is worth,but in the end you have to decide what it's all worth to you and your time and effort.
     
  3. 31ACoupe
    Joined: Nov 14, 2005
    Posts: 1,416

    31ACoupe
    Member

    Well, it is a matter of opinion on the value. I would not go more than $250-300 for the motor and trans. (if it is o/drive that is worth more). If you are talking the whole car then $500 sight unseen ***uming there are going to be some rear fenders, quarters, interior window moldings, stainless trim, ****** cover, is there a radio?, what kind of shape the dash is in, etc.. Also consider the time and energy to strip and prep the parts for sale + shipping which is a pain in the a_ _ most of the time. People are always looking for floor pan metal, 49-50 back window frames, etc.. Good luck and if you feel good about it just do it...

    31acoupe:cool:

    (I have four 50-51 mercs-1 project and 3 parts cars)
     
  4. That Merc motor is worth $2500. Get down there right now and buy it.
    On the other hand, how many times in one week does this question get asked?
     
  5. Hey I'm close so if you p*** on it let me know where it is. One can never have enough flatheads!

    Bill
     
  6. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,397

    Automotive Stud
    Member

  7. tdoty
    Joined: Jun 21, 2006
    Posts: 821

    tdoty
    Member

    I'll get some pics tomorrow. Thought about grabbing some with my phone today, but that'd almost be a waste of bandwidth :eek: .

    Thanks for the replies so far. If I p***, Bill, you'll be near the top of the list of people who know it ......... and I'll tell ya where it is too :) .

    Tim D.
     
  8. nrfleming
    Joined: Nov 17, 2005
    Posts: 387

    nrfleming
    Member

    i paid $500 for this one. it came with a truck
     
  9. nrfleming
    Joined: Nov 17, 2005
    Posts: 387

    nrfleming
    Member

    oops
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Jim Marlett
    Joined: Aug 12, 2003
    Posts: 869

    Jim Marlett
    Member

    I paid $200 for a Merc with the heads still on that turned over. I figured that was what a Merc crank was worth if it did, indeed, have a Merc crank. It turned out to actually have a Merc crank that had never been turned and magnafluxed good, but the block had more bad cracks than anything I have ever seen before or since. They're always a pig in a poke.
     
  11. Mad-Lad
    Joined: Jul 2, 2005
    Posts: 734

    Mad-Lad
    Member
    from California

    I payed $300 on my Mercury and I thought it was a good deal cause it was complete from carb to pan and turned over smooth.

    After inspection I had to pay another $600 for a brand new **** crank cause the original was cracked!:mad: :mad: :mad:
    Although I was verry lucky cause the block was cherry.

    They are only worth what you are willing to pay.
    That being said, I only spent a hundred on the next one.
    To much of a gamble to spend alot on.
     
  12. Never Die
    Joined: Apr 22, 2006
    Posts: 174

    Never Die
    Member

    I paid 200 for a 4" stroke Merc, all there, 8CM heads (one has what I think is a casting mark, but it MIGHT be a crack, no big deal since I probably won't run them anyhow b/c of the REALLY low compression), that turned over very nice, only flaw is a burnt exhaust valve (no biggie since I'm gonna run adjustable lifters and will have to replace them anyhow). The heads were pulled and the carbon cleaned off; I was able to visually inspect for cracks (none), stroke, bore, and cylinder wall condition.
     
  13. uncle johnny
    Joined: Jun 5, 2006
    Posts: 349

    uncle johnny
    Member

    [​IMG] tim whats the eng. worth?

    johnny
     
  14. tdoty
    Joined: Jun 21, 2006
    Posts: 821

    tdoty
    Member

    Okay, no pics after all - can't find the cable for my camera :eek: . Got a pic with my phone, but not sure it would be worth the time to post it.

    The car turned out to be a '51. No floor, no front clip........... some of the other sheetmetal didn't look too bad. I just don't have space for it. Driver side door is just about ripped of from supporting a '64 Galaxie :( .

    Went back for the engine today. Would have done it earlier in the week, but I cut my knuckle the first day I was looking at the Merc ......... little tiny scratch that cost me the use of my right hand for 2 days :eek: . Swelled up and wouldn't even allow me to make a fist! I'm feeling much better now!

    So, what was the engine worth? Hunerd bucks! ******? Nuther $75 for that. So, '51 Merc 8CM with an overdrive ****** behind it (at least I think that's what that solenoid is for :D ) for $175 ........... had to pay $12 in tax cuz I wanted a receipt :confused: . Only thing missing is the distributor, got the carb and everything else though.

    Got $23 out of the 1100 pounds of s**** we loaded up in the truck to take to the junkyard too! Had to joke with my buddy about the fact that we were actually taking stuff there and not just bringing it home :p .

    Everything looks good, and the moss growing on the p***enger side of the engine is a nice touch too. If I can ever find that cable I'll post pics of the engine and ******, and of how my luck goes as I tear into this thing.

    Thanks for the advice guys!

    Tim D.
     
  15. Glad you saved it from the junk heap. What yard are you finding this at? All the yards around here (all 3 of them ) have 70's and new only now.

    Bill
     
  16. tdoty
    Joined: Jun 21, 2006
    Posts: 821

    tdoty
    Member

    Found this at G&D Salvage in Loda, Illinois. They get some old stuff dragged in from time to time.

    Attached is the ****py pic I took with my phone. Yes, that is a 64 Galaxie 500 being held up by the driver's door of the Merc :eek:

    I think I might do some cruising this weekend to see if I can find any 'yards between you and me ................ know of anything along Rt 9?

    Tim D.
     

    Attached Files:

    • 51-2.JPG
      51-2.JPG
      File size:
      40.2 KB
      Views:
      123
  17. hudsoncustom
    Joined: Oct 26, 2001
    Posts: 4,129

    hudsoncustom
    Member

    Damn, I can't beleive you didn't take the car!!!
     
  18. hiboy32
    Joined: Nov 7, 2001
    Posts: 2,797

    hiboy32
    Member
    from Omaha, NE

    You must get that merc for me!!!!! You can keep the flat head ,I'll find another, I just neeeed that merc!!!!

    let me know when you can get that home.

    jeff

     
  19. trey
    Joined: Sep 11, 2003
    Posts: 1,220

    trey
    Member

    odd. I got a merc flathead for free, runs too.
     
  20. hiboy32
    Joined: Nov 7, 2001
    Posts: 2,797

    hiboy32
    Member
    from Omaha, NE

    i still have to find a front clip for my new merc, and maybe a place to store it.
    jeff
     
  21. Tim there are no yards close to me with anything good in them....let me know if you find some!

    Bill
     
  22. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,404

    19Fordy
    Member

  23. Barz51
    Joined: Apr 12, 2004
    Posts: 716

    Barz51
    Member

    Would a merc clip fit the front of a ford from the same vintage? Has it been done? Anybody got any pics?
     
  24. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,404

    19Fordy
    Member

    I don't think so as the 49-51 merc and Ford frames are not the same size. They look the same,at first, but dimensions are different.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.