37 Ford with non-original engine

Tom in SW VA

Tom in SW VA

Well-known member
I am considering buying a 37 Ford with a 24 bolt head instead of the original 21 bolt head. The engine is apparently post-37. How much does this take from the value of the car?

The price of the 37 Ford standard coupe is 24K.

I would appreciate your candid opinions.
 
Well Tom, In my opinion it doesn't neccessarily lessen the value of the car; possibly it could enhance the vehicle. Really depends on whether or not you're trying to acheive 100% originality, or you want a good reliable, classy driver. All flatheads are cool; at least it ain't one of those Chevvy things, that would really detract from the value in my opinion. Although I am personally a big fan of the little 21 studders, I can fully appreciate why someone would fit a later 239 motor or similar. For starters, parts for the later motors are easier to source and cheaper, so that plays a big part in the decision. Hot-roddy parts for the 24 studders are easier to find too; finned heads etc, if you wanted to dress it up. Brian
 
If you like the car buy it and enjoy it,mayby it originally had a 60 hp in it instead of 21 stud. I bought a non running 60 hp coupe with mechanical brakes in 2004 after looking a bit for a good 85 hp one,tough to find a 37 coupe without a Chevy engine and hot rodded in the seventies or eighties,lots easier to find a 39 or 40. I have always been a restorer pretty much sticking to V8 Club judging but knew the 60 hp wasn't going to be much fun ,got it running and stopping okay but very hard to pull out of my driveway onto a state route and get going,4:44 rear end, running hard at 50 mph, not as good as Model A. I had everything to change over,39 Ford 3:78 rear with Columbia,front end with hydraulics,39 rebuilt trans and a 59AB with a 4 " crank,all makes the car very enjoyable to drive,not a V8 Club quality car but the dual exhaust took it out of contention anyway. I would see if coupe you are interested in was a 60 and if it still has 4:44 rear or the 4:11 that would be more of a determent to me for paying top money,serial number will prefix with 54 if it was a sicky sixty 74 model and #18 if it was 85 hp 78 model. You can always look for good 37-38 21 stud 85 hp as you enjoy car. If it was a standard coupe chances are it was a 60hp. On my engine swap, at local shows or cruises most people are glad to see it is a flathead and not a Chevy engine,only have had one guy count the studs and make a point out of it and I told him to not look at it if it upset him so.
 
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Is it a coupe or sedan. that would make a big difference in price, the coupe being worth more. I like to have the original engine but to me the big thing is the condition of the body and fenders. Are there any patch panels. Most people will advertise a car saying no rust. Of course they do not tell you that they cut it all out and put in patch panels. What's under the paint job. Also is the frame solid and not rust with never being wrecked..
 
I guess the big question for you is; do you want to drive it or show it? If it doen't fit your agenda, I'd keep looking. JMO
 
Thanks to everyone for your comments! I really appreciate your candid opinions. I guess it really comes down to if I want to show or drive?? Of course, in the best of worlds, I would like to do both. :)
 
Grind the 59AB off the heads and drive it. In this day and time most people other than flathead folks will not know the difference. The extra compression and HP from that 100 hrs makes it run a lot better. I have a 100 hp in a 37 tudor that has been run lots of miles in all kind of conditions including interstate running,.
 
As long as you are not showing in high point judging, forget about the mismatch. The 24 studer will make a nicer driving car in todays world, and only a judge would care.
 
i,m in the middle of the mis matched numbers game myself ,and I just remember my dads favorite sayin IT,S A GO-A ,,NOT A SHOW-A :)
 
I have a '35 with a 24 stud flathead. Bought it a few years back and felt that the 24 stud motor was a plus over the 21. I bought mine to drive.

Neal
 
Do it. I never looked back. 8ba in this one. A noticeable difference in power.
 

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I am the second owner of a '37 flatback sedan with a 24 stud engine. The original owner told me a long time ago that his Ford dealer had a yound lad service the car for winter in 1939. It seems that he forgot to add anti-freeze to the radiator after flushing it. Of course, the 21 stud V8 froze and cracked the block. The original owner threw a fit and wanted a brand new engine from the dealer. They finally settled on installing an almost new 24 stud engine from a '39 Mercury that had been rear-ended in a collision. The engine runs great and still only has 41K miles on it. The first owner told me "Now you be careful with that car, that aint no 85, it's a 100 horsepower and it goes like scat!" He was right. Don't worry about the change to the 24 stud, you will be glad of it.
 
Thanks guys!! I have decided, thanks to your advice, to buy the 37 with the 24 stud engine. Will keep you posted on the car as time goes by.
 
Good luck on your new car! We'll all look forward to pictures and updates. Thanks for the update. Go get 'em! Al
 
storyteller said:
I am the second owner of a '37 flatback sedan with a 24 stud engine. The original owner told me a long time ago that his Ford dealer had a yound lad service the car for winter in 1939. It seems that he forgot to add anti-freeze to the radiator after flushing it. Of course, the 21 stud V8 froze and cracked the block. The original owner threw a fit and wanted a brand new engine from the dealer. They finally settled on installing an almost new 24 stud engine from a '39 Mercury that had been rear-ended in a collision. The engine runs great and still only has 41K miles on it. The first owner told me "Now you be careful with that car, that aint no 85, it's a 100 horsepower and it goes like scat!" He was right. Don't worry about the change to the 24 stud, you will be glad of it.
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Some years ago, Street Rodder had an article on a recently rodded, traditional style '32 highboy, that had been owned by the original owner up through the mid 1960s. The original owner wasn't a hot rodder, but when the original engine wore out, he had a '41 or '42 24-stud engine installed, so there's definitely historical precedent for the swap.

-Dave
 
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