A very HARD decision

Didja torque/re-torque the heads? Sounds like the head(s) may not be torqued properly. Especially if it's been sitting for a while.
 
NEVER trust a new rebuilt engine by someone else! I can remember back when flathead and A engines were in junk yards and they all were just rebuilt before the trans went out or the car was wrecked! A 85 engine will pull that little car down the Istate right on with a 3/78 gear and trun lots of heads. If you want cool comfort, buy a T bird for those times and use the 34 for fun, my two cents worth.
 
Stick with the flat motors - like others said, NEVER trust a supposedly rebuilt falttie - always do the obvious checks.

Like others have said, sleep on it, take care of the ore important issues, and fix things later on. I've hd the motor and trans combo in and out of my avatar 7 times in 3 years - frustration is my middle name. But, now that I have the problems straightened out, it's all the more sweeter and I'm driving it to Bonneville Speed Trials this summer.

Hang in there!!
 
Ditto on keep the flathead. You will have to change MUCH more then just the engine. Reliable flatheads abound. If they are built correctly with the right parts there is no reason it can't be as reliable as anything else you put in there.
Hope the fire doesn't get anywhere near you. Every time there is a fire/flood/tornado/hurricane I wonder how many old Fords perished. Of course, not as important as human life but I do think about that.
 
First, I pray you and your family are safe.

As for your engine, sometimes it helps to walk away from a project for awhile. I know. Even though you are discouraged, give it lots of thought before you swap out the flathead, especially if you are making irreversible changes.
 
i don't know....guess you just didn't want to run a flathead at all....maybe pull the piston to see if a ring is broken....or forgotten??....might be a simple fix with a little time to figure out what is wrong.....other than fabbing all the mounts, etc. for the SBF....maybe cutting the firewall, etc.....good luck....Mike
 
Early Cadillac Engines in the Model 40 are the best transplants :D. But a good point is made about an OH with low compression in one cylinder. If you can fix what you have it's alot shorter path. But if you are tired of an F-head (that's ok to admit) then pull it, sell it and go Cad/Olds/Buick. Tons of torque and waaaay cooler than a 302.

Tim
 
HELLO
i HAD A SIMILAR START UP SITUATION THAT WAS RESOLVED BY A CAN OF "JUSTISE BROTHERS" STOP LEAK. WITH IN 3 MINUTES OF RUNNING ALL LEAKS STOPPED. THIS WAS DONE AFTER THE HEADS WERE PROPERLY TORQUED.
CHRIS
 
If you really want a 'turnpike cruiser' Why not sell yours and buy an already done car?
Look at the sold cars on ebay and you will see that it would be cheaper and someone else could enjoy your car with a flathead.
 
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