Best flathead motor ?

R

ROCKITV8

Junior Member
Hi, I am new to flatheads and want to build a old replica car of my dads stock car what are the better motors (year & model numbers) for performance use, also any to stay away from ?
 
I love old stock cars, I belong to 2 Vintage stock car clubs. What's the best flathead? This is my opion. The best engine is the 8BA style 49-53, they have better cooling, all kinds of speed equipment for them. If you want the same thing as dad had, what was the year of his car? How hard are you going to drive this vintage stock car. The 46-48 59AB engine is the next chose. Tell us what you looking for, this site will give you all the answers. Walt
 
I always looked for a 39 or 40 like my dads but that will be hard to find on limited funds, I did find a old original running stock car (not his year, but cool) might get it ????? If you are on Facebook send me (Harvey Crowley)a friend request and then you can see a bunch of flathead pics and my dads car as well.
 
The one motor that has the best parts would be the 49-53 Mercury. 8CM, ICM, etc. Can't ignore that 4" crank!
 
All Flatheads are good!

From the second pic it looks like they had a bunch of pre war motors ready to go, I'm thinking I see a three bolt timing cover on the end motor?
 
...click on pic for whole album. Great old shots! Too bad so many nice coupes went that way though. Little did we know then........
 
If anyone can tell me anything about any of the motors pictured, I would appreciate it. I know NOTHING about these engines but want to learn.
 
"If anyone can tell me anything about any of the motors pictured, I would appreciate it. I know NOTHING about these engines but want to learn. "


All look like they are pre-49, they are all running single carbs, but the headers suggest that some engine mods have been done for performance. Maybe someone else will spot something to narrow the years down.
 
Great bunch of pictures. Looks like several are from the old track on Daytona Beach. Picture 27 & 29 with the lighthouse in the background appears to be the south end of the track and the lighthouse is the Ponce Inlet light house. Thanks for posting.
 
It's time to buy some books, Mine started with the 39-41 and goes up. JWL's book covers modifications and their results in torque readings. There a bunch of em.
 
Great PIctures!!..I like the 49-53 8ba and 1cm mercurys....building a 51 merc as I write this....ford made a super-fast flathead in 1953....bought a ranch wagon locally hauled up the freeway with my father in law in tow...scared the hell out of him when an old lady tried to merge in the slow lane....got to town 20 miles away and he signaled pull over....he swithched spark plug wires and it ran!!.....drove to my place...paid a 100 bucks for it!!
 
flathead4rd said:
Great bunch of pictures. Looks like several are from the old track on Daytona Beach. Picture 27 & 29 with the lighthouse in the background appears to be the south end of the track and the lighthouse is the Ponce Inlet light house. Thanks for posting.
Click to expand...
Yes, my dad took these when they went down to Daytona.
 
Ralph Moore said:
All Flatheads are good!

From the second pic it looks like they had a bunch of pre war motors ready to go, I'm thinking I see a three bolt timing cover on the end motor?
Click to expand...

I concur, the older you get the more 'pensive so if you get a late motor napa can get you most of the stuff at a fraction of the cost, bearings, gaskets, etc...
Cast iron soaks up sound so tube headers make the voice. They can be really sick & still run be reliable.

Some day will do the ba & rt motors but for cool, I want to finish the 59 first... Head pumps & center outlets ...There are no uncool flat motors.
 
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