Flathead V8 swap? Decisions, decisions

S

Sedona48F1

Junior Member
This has been asked before, but not in this way, I don’t believe.

I’m at a point where the flathead six is burning a ton of oil and could be nearing its end.

Someone I know is selling a completely restored frame and complete drivetrain with a flathead V-8. Originally I thought it was another flat head six and a straight swap could be a just a body swap and done! It has everything except the body (he wants that to hot rod!) and is driveable if you put a bucket where the seat would be

I really like how the truck is now, but it’s nearing decision time.

Hot rod this thing, or convert it to the flathead V-8.

The guy who is keeping the body to hot Rod it suggests to hot Rod mine now so I don’t regret putting a ton of money and time into the V8 conversion

Would love some input from anybody who has been at this crossroads please.

Thanks
 
Shouldn't be much of a conversion with a complete frame and drive train. Can't you just move the body over?
 
I would not move the body as your ownership certificate will not match the number on the frame. Most likely the guy who is selling the chassis is keeping the ownership certificate with that number on it. I would just move the drivetrain itself to your frame to keep all the numbers straight. The big question is how much is the running gear? And have you heard the motor run?
 
JSeery said:
Shouldn't be much of a conversion with a complete frame and drive train. Can't you just move the body over?
Click to expand...

YES

I have researched that there are some changes to be made that are minor but several in number

I’m a purist at heart, so it’s hard to even imagine a V8 and not a 6!
 
The Ford flathead 6 is a pretty darn good engine, BUT it's hard
to beat the sound of a good running Ford flathead V/8 engine.
They have a distinct sound, all their own...;)




.
 
Not sure what year we are talking here...but if the 6 cyl is running strong with goood oilpressure maybe just some valveguides and a set of rings will get it going for a lot of years.
The swap means you have to either change or adapt the wiring harness.
I´ve done a few swaps when people wanted a v8 and there´s some work involved...having a complete running drivetrain is great.
If your friend gives you a good price on it maybe it´s a cost effective solution.
 
just about complete with a 6 to V8 engine swap in a 49 F1. You will need a V8 Radiator, move the bracket to the v8 holes already there, horn needs to move to a set of holes already there, rad pan in front of radiator will also need to move back, holes already there, hood will work, swap 6 to 8 battery box (ds to ps) and a little wiring
 
TJ said:
I would not move the body as your ownership certificate will not match the number on the frame. Most likely the guy who is selling the chassis is keeping the ownership certificate with that number on it. I would just move the drivetrain itself to your frame to keep all the numbers straight. The big question is how much is the running gear? And have you heard the motor run?
Click to expand...

TJ said:
I would not move the body as your ownership certificate will not match the number on the frame. Most likely the guy who is selling the chassis is keeping the ownership certificate with that number on it. I would just move the drivetrain itself to your frame to keep all the numbers straight. The big question is how much is the running gear? And have you heard the motor run?
Click to expand...

I hear ya there. In Arizona it’s simple to get a title. I have mine for the running truck I have now from the glovebox and firewall matching numbers. I’m sure he would keep the title on the other body. I guess I’m not sure what you mean about the owner ship certificate Beyond that?

The motor and everything attached to the frame is $2500. One of my ideas is to bolt my body onto it rebuild my motor and reinstall my motor into the original frame. Then I could move the body back and move everything onto my frame with the original engine, just selling the V8 engine and transmission from the other non-original engine

I have heard it run in a video. I’m going to hear it run this week in person. The person I’m buying it from is going to help me do the swap as well. All the body mounts are brand new and should be very very straightforward and easy to remove for the swap
 
If the guy is going street rod with an aftermarket chassis I would bet it will need a constructed title. Can't see how the original frame serial numbers, once removed from the vehicle, are of any value as far as a street rod title goes. Same would go for the transmission number.
 
Dave Castle said:
Rebuild the 6.
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Absolutely

I love a 6! All my old Jeeps were 6ers and one went for 310,000 miles and rams as good as the day I bought it (141,000) to the day I sold it

I will rebuild it while the running gear from the V8 is in there.

Mine has the 4 and I LOVE the 4 speed challenge. Can someone tell me what the model number is for that four-speed transmission please?
 
alanwoodieman said:
just about complete with a 6 to V8 engine swap in a 49 F1. You will need a V8 Radiator, move the bracket to the v8 holes already there, horn needs to move to a set of holes already there, rad pan in front of radiator will also need to move back, holes already there, hood will work, swap 6 to 8 battery box (ds to ps) and a little wiring
Click to expand...


WOW

What a coincidence

This is great information thank you.

Are you doing a write up?

The running body has everything complete except the battery box that I can pull out of the body that was supposed to go on the complete frame assembly. The guy that I’m buying the complete frame assembly motor drivetrain etc. only wants the body but he said I can pull anything off the body I need and as mentioned is helping me do the swap. So that is great news
 
I know the entire body swap sounds crazy since I’m planning to reinstall the original motor, radiator, transmission etc, but I LOVE this thing and don’t want any down time during a rebuild.

Also, the expense to rebuild myself will be much less and taking my time and having fun with it, instead of rushing sounds great. Then I can sell the non-original motor, transmission.

I may change my mind on this stuff, so that’s why I posted and appreciate all the feedback
 
flatheadmurre said:
Not sure what year we are talking here...but if the 6 cyl is running strong with goood oilpressure maybe just some valveguides and a set of rings will get it going for a lot of years.
The swap means you have to either change or adapt the wiring harness.
I´ve done a few swaps when people wanted a v8 and there´s some work involved...having a complete running drivetrain is great.
If your friend gives you a good price on it maybe it´s a cost effective solution.
Click to expand...

Not only is it burning oil, it is leaking from every seal and the valve cover has a portion that is bubbling out tiny bubbles and seeping oil there too

Fully operational chassis and drivetrain

Yeah. I think more cost effective at the moment and very little drivetrain

My truck was just re-wired for 12 volt and should be easy enough to re-wire but:

I’m wide open for any input please and thanks!!!
 
The wiring is so basic and simple on these things it shouldn't be much of an issue with you 12v harness.
 
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