Chucks363window
Junior Member
I am new to Ford flat head V8 s , i have heard they run hot? I have the stock radiator and so far it seems to run at what i would call a normal temp, what do you guys do to help it keep cool?
Ford 3 window coupe , rumble seat or trunk
- Thread starter Chucks363window
- Start date
Kube
Super Moderator
If they have been rebuilt correctly, the radiator in tip-top condition, you shouldn't have any issues.
A clean block is important as is a clean and well flowing radiator.
JayChicago
Well-known member
To the point made above:
A friend has two nearly identical ‘48 Chevies. One never overheats, the other easily does. Depends on the condition of the old car.
I can drive my survivor ‘40 flathead all day long in very hot weather with no fear of overheating. Maybe some time in its life this radiator was professionally cleaned/rodded.
A friend has two nearly identical ‘48 Chevies. One never overheats, the other easily does. Depends on the condition of the old car.
I can drive my survivor ‘40 flathead all day long in very hot weather with no fear of overheating. Maybe some time in its life this radiator was professionally cleaned/rodded.
Rumble or trunk...I've had two rumble seat cars, and now much prefer a trunk. With a rumble seat there is no room for even a light jacket on the cushions, any extra gear like tools or a cooler must go on the floor which is very hard to reach standing outside.
Mine, since it was seldom used, cars driven a lot, was always so dusty nobody would want to ride there anyway.
Mine, since it was seldom used, cars driven a lot, was always so dusty nobody would want to ride there anyway.
Seth Swoboda
Well-known member
Absolutely correct. When someone tells me flathead V8's run hot I instantly know that they know nothing about the engine. I drive them in 95+ degree weather and the engine does just fine.
If it were 95 degrees and you sat and let it idle for a long period of time you'll see the temps come up. For me I drive and don't sit in traffic.
Steve51
Member
I would agree. The stock 8ba in my 51 was recently rebuilt with a recondition OEM radiator. I ran it this summer in 90+ temps with no overheating issues. I think the problems can occur when the engine is modified or there are tuning/maintainence issues or worn out parts. Due to the engine design it does create more heat so maybe the "margin for error" is smaller.
tubman
Well-known member
When I had my '36 3-window, it had a rumble seat. Everybody loved it, especially when they learned that I could roll down the rear window. They all wanted a ride. The top cushion of the seat lifted up to allow access to the rumble area. I have never had one with a trunk, but I would think it would be easier to slip a few things into the limited area that way than through the trunk lid. Granted, I never had the opportunity to use a trunk, but the unique appeal of the rumble seat to people who had never seen one was a deciding factor for me.
JayChicago
Well-known member
Agree, the ruble seat has definite "cool factor".
Old Redneck
Well-known member
The first antique car I bought was a Model A Ford and it had a trunk. Well we had 3 Kids so I converted it to a Rumble Seat so the Kids could ride there. Great, then they grew up and left the nest then my Mother in law rode in the Rumble seat. It took a half an hour to get her in, then to get her out was some else. When I looked in the rear view mirror all I could see was her face. I throw the mirror away.Now after she pass away I don't need the Rumble Seat anymore. I need a trunk now just me and wife and the neighbor dog to travel now. See how simple life is.
Kube
Super Moderator
I could not agree with you more.
My three-window has the seat. I would find a trunk much more usable but yeah, the "cool factor" I suppose.
My wife loves riding in that seat. She says it's fun. It's probably because she is not so close to me
ford38v8
Well-known member
I take issue with the contention that you can't even put a light jacket between the cushions of a rumble seat. My wife and I have traveled all over these United States in our 1938 Convertible Coupe, and let me tell you, my wife never travels light. A full size hard suitcase between the rumble cushions with the lid closed , a seabag, a large duffle, and an assortment of carry-ons on the rumble floor. With the top up, the top well becomes available for overflow pf everything from handbags and kleenex boxes to antique store finds on the way home. Small tools and parts, flashlights, road flares, maps, V8 Club Rosters, the floor under the seat gets cluttered also. I'll say this, when it's time for a roadside repair, everything has to come out to get to the heavy box of tools and parts stashed down deep on the rumble floor.
Now for the really bad news about a rumble seat: I can think of no worse place to be in even a very minor fender bender. The front edge of a rumble, and all around both sides are solid, knife edged cold steel. Anyone riding back there is in terrible danger, even on a city street, let alone on a highway. Take a look at my avatar... The two small girls in the rumble were sitting on milk crates perched atop the rumble cushion. I didn't realize at the time...
Now for the really bad news about a rumble seat: I can think of no worse place to be in even a very minor fender bender. The front edge of a rumble, and all around both sides are solid, knife edged cold steel. Anyone riding back there is in terrible danger, even on a city street, let alone on a highway. Take a look at my avatar... The two small girls in the rumble were sitting on milk crates perched atop the rumble cushion. I didn't realize at the time...
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Seth Swoboda
Well-known member
Speaking of rumble seats. My youngest daughter is 9. She once told me that there was no way she would ever ride in a rumble seat. They are dangerous and if you hit a bump you could fly out of there and get killed. All of this from a 9 year old who formed that thought on her own. When she was done giving me the lecture, I asked her, "who are you Ralph Nader?" Her reply, "I don't know who that is."