kinda new guy, looking for thoughts/ opinions

klicker

klicker

Senior Member
I'm fairly new here, been lurking for several months though. Couple questions... I bought my first stock FH Ford last fall...I have been thinking 2x2 intake, and aluminum heads mostly for looks. Would that make any sense to use the heads if I stayed with a stock intake and carb, maybe with a dress-up air cleaner for looks? Also I am thinking fenton headers and duals. I would like the car to have a mellow sound, not loud and raspy like some glass packs. Any idea as to mufflers to use?

I could probably be convinced to leave it stock under the hood. It runs very nicely now. But... I do need to get the front end down a couple inches, and the rear down an inch or so. I'm used to owning street rods that are super low...as in floor jacks don't fit under the front. This is my first flat motor Ford (I had a beautiful 40 with a 351 Cleveland a few years ago).

my coupe is really too nice to hot rod (as in late motors, trans and 9" etc.)

So, what I am thinking is dropped axle with stock spring in front, and reversed eye spring in the rear. I have 6.00-16s all around and don't want to get into new tires, wheels, brakes etc.

I have some good solid advice from Ken CT to just leave it as it is. (Thanks Ken!)

Your thoughts? Thanks in advance!
 
I agree with Ken. Keep it as it is. For sweet sound, just a simple gutted muffler is the best thing you can do for the sound of a flathead.
 
The easiest thing to do, of all the things you mentioned, is to install a set of headers (I use Red's Headers and Brockman Mellow-Tone Steel packed mufflers on most of our Flatheads, stock or modified). You can easily convert back to stock if you ever want to. Have fun.
 
Like the guys said just gut the mufflers to give it some noise. This will have you revving away from stop lights at every chance because it sounds so good. You will rev much higher than normal before shifting and you will probably be putting some black streaks on the pavement too. After a season of this the motor will be shot and you will now have a good reason and a lot of support here to build it the way you wanted to begin with. Yes, this is sarcasm. But admit it there is some truth.
 
Before you make any engine modifications, I suggest you get a copy of JWL book "Flathead facts" this book contains dozens of dyno tests on modifications, such as heads and intakes, carbs and exhaust systems and the pitfall of same.
Did you know that adding a set of headers and dual exhaust does not increase the power output of the stock exhaust system. Read on.
 
Adding aluminum parts would probably be fine but listen to Ol Ron...do your homework first I am having a 51 mercury motor built going with machined stock heads and a dual carb intake with ford 94 carbs....I personally like the look of the stock heads w/acorn nuts....as for the exhaust I would try straight pipes w/ no mufflers and see how that sounds then add steel packs to acquire the deep mellow sound !! have some fun with your car!
 
Ol' Ron said:
Before you make any engine modifications, I suggest you get a copy of JWL book "Flathead facts" this book contains dozens of dyno tests on modifications, such as heads and intakes, carbs and exhaust systems and the pitfall of same.
Did you know that adding a set of headers and dual exhaust does not increase the power output of the stock exhaust system. Read on.
Click to expand...


Ol' Ron, I'm sure you know that not everyone who owns a Flathead is interested in achieving low ET's at the drag strip or trying to squeeze out every ounce of power and gas millage. What I've garnered from being involved with Flatheads and the people that own and drive them (for over 40 years) is that most of them wax nostalgic with their Flathead and want all the "eye candy" that they couldn't afford when they first got involved with Flatheads. For me, cruising down the highway, around town, and at auto related events is what it's all about. My complements to those that want to race Flatheads but I doubt that they are in the majority. Few can argue that a "dressed" Flathead is not among the best looking engines ever built and the sound of a "warm" Flathead is music unlike any other. You see it at car shows all the time, a nicely detailed Flathead under the hood will generate a lot of comments and most won't be questions like "how fast will it go" or "what was, is, or has been your best time at the drag strip?” Just my opinion.:)
 
I was not referring to racing, I was just forwarding information to a new commer to our hobby. As they say, Knowledge is power. and it can also save you money. A well informed person can buy the right part the first time, instead of saying, "That was a mistake, shouldn't have done that". I had a fellow call me the other day to ask about his engine. He told me he had bought a set of Barron heads. I told hin these hi flow heads are low compression. You can order them with a smaller combustion chamber.
He didn't know that, Tony would probably exchange them, but he bought them used.
Now you're smarter too.
 
Thanks all.... good advice! I think I will leave well enough alone, save money to boot!

When I figure out how to post pictures I will...

Another Q... there is a small capped tube (maybe 2") on the firewall, and a hinged ball onder the dash... exhaust heat? I was thinking of adding a (hot water) heater so my wife can join me on road trips. Should I just leave her at home?
 
That is a good looking '39!

You could go with a reverse eye spring in front to bring it down a little, and switch to some big and little tires. There's no need to change the wheels.

Do you want vintage heads and intake or new? You could always do the intake but leave the stock heads.
 
I'm with Ron, get a copy of JWL's book... From my own experience, I can now wish that my 1952 Harley was in the same configuration that it was when I bought it in 1969... But Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper had just rode the silver screen, and I had a pair of pliers... Karl
 
Klicker, it seems that you have part of a hot air heater. These show up occasionally on E-Bay and work very well as long as the "stove" and right exhaust pipe are in good condition. When you open your hood with the hot air heater, you will see a lot of interest in the contraption.

Hot water heaters are available also, but if you install one, you should remove all traces of the hot air heater, including filling in the hole in the firewall.

In reply to your original question, the more that you modify your car, the more problems you will have. Lowering a Ford, changes the handling characteristics (not always for the better), dual carbs can give problems with flooding and poor performance. Aluminum heads look great, but you must be religious about keeping coolant with fresh corrosion inhibitors.

IMHO any one with enough $$$$$ can make a hot rod out of a nice Ford, but if you want to enjoy driving the car, not fixing it, leave it stock.
 
Karl Wolf said:
I'm with Ron, get a copy of JWL's book... From my own experience, I can now wish that my 1952 Harley was in the same configuration that it was when I bought it in 1969... But Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper had just rode the silver screen, and I had a pair of pliers... Karl
Click to expand...

Karl, I had to laugh. I loved Easy Rider when I was in high school. Now the bikes (particularly Fonda's) look a little silly.

TomO said:
IMHO any one with enough $$$$$ can make a hot rod out of a nice Ford, but if you want to enjoy driving the car, not fixing it, leave it stock.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Tom. I have to remember why I sold my 40. It was a gorgeous dark blue rust free coupe with a 351 Cleveland, one of the fastest cars I ever owned. But wasn't terribly reliable. And the ride was a little stiff since it was lowered so much.


Thanks again everyone for good advice.

Roger:)
 
Klicker, I know how you feel, and I'll go against what the majority are saying here. I have built a 39 Deluxe Tudor and building a 40 Standard Tudor right now.Both are too nice to turn into a street rod but I'm an old hot rodder and just can't seem to keep things stock! The 39 I just added a dropped axle, big and little tires and duel carbs, exhaust. The 40 is a bit farther with the motor in my avitar. Both cases swapping the axles and intakes ( the 40 I could put the stock motor back in) and the cars are still original. No cutting, no modifications that don't bolt on. I love driving the 39 (runs and drive great) and hope soon I feel the same about my 40. The hot rodder in me is happy and I don't feel like I've molested any nice old Fords!
I will admit I probably tinker with carbs and such more then a stocker but then I find that enjoyable.
 
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