Do I fit in

bcatcmc

bcatcmc

Member
Do I fit?

I just recently joined the Barn which I found more user friendly than the H.A.M.B. J / J so I thought I had better read the rules of engagement. Oh, do I belong here?

Heading into my seventies with a shed full of engineering gear I searched for a project, having always had an interest in flathead V8 `s I decided to bring back to life a rather sad, seized incomplete 1940 Mercury truck engine found upside down in the dirt floor of a farm shed. With that said I think of myself as a restorer.

As I have no vehicle to fit it to it will be a stand engine hopefully I can enjoy the sound and look at , with that in mind I decided to add some ‘bling ‘ does that now make me a hot rodder ?

As has been mentioned many times there is a blurry line between the two but as I think most of my posts will be of a technical nature I hope the restorer wins out.

John. North Qld. Australia
 
I hope so. I've got an engine sitting around as well. I bought it for my '41 PU which i sold a couple years ago, but just had to keep a flathead. The engine cam out of a ragged out 39 4-dr convertible. It has been fully rebuilt. It currently sits on a wheeled stand in my office so that I can look at it all day. I've never heard it run. I keep thinking; boat?, generator?, another car?, stationary power source?, or just as it is?

My good news is that I've just come on to a 1950 Mercury station wagon. That has a fine engine in it so no need to use the office decoration. I think the 50 has the AB flathead. I'm new to the Mercury point of view so I could be wrong.
 
Welcome John!

This group build flatheads of all sorts - from bone stock to highly modified street engines, to 100% race engines to ones with overhead conversions . . . we pretty much cover everything related to the various ways to build flatheads. This site also covers a lot of details related to Early Fords in general - from stock restorations to even a few quite modified ones.

We all strive to keep things civil; we discuss many ideas, debate a few of them and there is a good group of talented folks on the Barn.

We'll be happy to help you on your quest!
Looking forward to your posts.

B&S
 
Sounds to me like you fit in here just right! Let's face it, you keep a rebuilt flathead in your office just to look at and enjoy and I don't think any of us would consider that abnormal behavior. So yes you clearly fit in, and welcome!
 
This forum is glad to have you, and I think you'll find that you're at the right place! There are no such things as dumb questions, and be sure to keep us posted on your progress.
 
IMO you'll fit in just fine. There is a wide range of members from those who do 100 point restorations to those who just do what they can to keep their old Ford running safely. Welcome to the Barn and pictures, yes we like pictures.


Edit:
I see in your opening post you're from Australia. You might want to add that to your profile so members who read your future posts know at least your general location. Lots of members from down under here on the Barn. You never know help might be closer than you think.
 
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A couple old junk yards I knew of years ago stored some of the old engines up side down to preserve them in outside storage. this makes the oil pan into a roof, and hopefully saves the motor. Good luck with yours, welcome to the barn.
 
Welcome from a semi recent member . The knowledge here is unbelievable and offered freely .
 
Welcome to the "Barn". Since you are new to flatheads and want to build a "stand" engine you need to know that the flathead was not designed to be on a standard type engine stand that you would use for other engines. Mounting the motor from the bell housing bolts can result in some terrible results. There are threads on here that can show you how to make the proper supports for the flathead that bolt to the exhaust ports.
 
That was my original Idea just before COVID. Searched craigslist for a Ford Flathead and I found one, but it was in a 1952 Crestline and came with and extra engine and OD transmission.
 
Welcome to the Fordbarn. It's great your discovered a new hobby. Feel free to ask lots of questions. Lots of smart folks in the barn.
 
Welcome aboard. There is so much knowledge available on this site and the nice people willing to help you. I have been doing this for 40-years and I still learn new stuff almost daily.
 
Some people like to assemble things, and some people like to make things. But who cares, as long as their Flathead related. Welcome aboard.
Gramps 91+
 
Thanks for the welcome guys , I was planning to provide some photo`s
with my posts at times but before some comments come back ` I`ve seen this before somewhere` I have to confess to dropping some captioned still shots on to Youtube for the last couple of years under the alias of Flathead Fred.

I was trying to keep it low key , I consider that as a medium to get your message out it is lacking, people look and move on and the format doesn`t lend itself to asking questions or having a discussion about the subject unlike here at the Barn.

If anyone was to check it out I suggest you turn off the audio, its a distraction.

Thanks again. John
 
Looked at your Youtube postings. Very nice work. Post a video of it running when the time comes. And make no mistake, you definitely do fit in.
 
Welcome, Flathead Fred. On Utube it looks your having a lot of fun with flatheads. You Will fit in here just fine. As mentioned above there is a wealth of shared information on this site. Don't be afraid to ask. JP Lutz
 
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