Flat 337 Lincoln in a '39 CVS

KGS

KGS

Well-known member
Over time, I've seen a number of references to the conversion from a Ford Flathead to a Lincoln 337 motor. There was an article in an old EFV8 Mag about a '39 CV sedan that was done in the early Fifties. Since I'm not really up to speed on photo attaching, I sent the pics to Vic Piano to add them to this thread. Hopefully he'll be able to do it. The car was owned by Ken Austin from Oregon and he ran the car at Bonneville. I wonder if Austin is still around. KGS
 
Hi Ken,

Here are the photos you sent to me. I have a 337 in our '49 Cosmo Convert, but I've never seen a 337 in an earlier Ford:eek:, that's cool.:cool: I'd sure like to have that "three pot" intake manifold.:D
39337IMG.jpg

39337IMG_0002.jpg

39337IMG_0001.jpg
 
That manifold apparently was a "homade", designed and built by Austin while attending OSU. KGS
 
Austin...he was covered in one of the early small magazines while in school for a drag car with a completely homemade injection system on a Ford six. Injection was through a hole in the intake valve seat, pressure control had a lot of parts from an oil furnace!
More recently he has manufactured Ardun, 337, and Lincoln V-12 manifolds.
 
Given that 1952 was 60 years ago, there's a chance that he's not (with us anymore). Ken was probably about 20 when he built that first 337 tripower manifold and stuffed it all into that '39. That would put him around 80. He's had a website: KenAustin's Rodshop.com where all of his current products were shown but as I just moments ago tried it all I got was "Under construction". Try Googling and you'll get some neat stuff.

That article in HRM back in '52 has been an inspiration to me for all those years-that's why my '53 F-100 has a 337 in it.




KGS said:
Over time, I've seen a number of references to the conversion from a Ford Flathead to a Lincoln 337 motor. There was an article in an old EFV8 Mag about a '39 CV sedan that was done in the early Fifties. Since I'm not really up to speed on photo attaching, I sent the pics to Vic Piano to add them to this thread. Hopefully he'll be able to do it. The car was owned by Ken Austin from Oregon and he ran the car at Bonneville. I wonder if Austin is still around. KGS
Click to expand...
 
In 1952 a 337 might have been a good idea, but today parts are hard to come by. The engine is also very heavy and will cause handling problems. A SBC will add more go without the weight and a warmed up flathead will do the same thing.
 
But, if you did either of those (SBC or warmed up flathead), you wouldn't be able to say: "Yeah, it's a Ford Flathead alright, but it's the biggest one YOU ever saw".




V12Bill said:
In 1952 a 337 might have been a good idea, but today parts are hard to come by. The engine is also very heavy and will cause handling problems. A SBC will add more go without the weight and a warmed up flathead will do the same thing.
Click to expand...
 
V12Bill and Dale make good points. However, I posted this because this car is not the all to common, run of the mill SBC in a Ford (you pick the year). What I liked about this article is that it is "real Hot Rodding" from a guy back in the day. Wouldn't it be cool if that car still existed today with that engine. The article states that Austin bought it back but without the 337 engine. I wonder what changes he made to the suspension to make the car roadable. Back then, he had to design and make his own parts to accomplish his goal. No CE or Fatman to provide the "stuff" he needed. As Bruce said, he went on to other projects and even started manufacturing for others. Good ole American know how and Free Enterprise at work. I did Google his name and came up with a man of 93 years of age in the Portland area. Might be him. Anyway, that would be a cool car to replicate. Ken
 
I would have figured he found or had a heavier front spring made up for the 39. That big engine would likely have really taxed the original spring made for an 85 hp V8. Heavier load rated tires would have helped too.
 
The caption under the first photo above indicates that he did just that.




rotorwrench said:
I would have figured he found or had a heavier front spring made up for the 39. That big engine would likely have really taxed the original spring made for an 85 hp V8. Heavier load rated tires would have helped too.
Click to expand...
 
[Story said the engine was mounted on truck engine pads & a 3/4 ton truck front spring was installed.




QUOTE=Bruce Lancaster;511035]Austin...he was covered in one of the early small magazines while in school for a drag car with a completely homemade injection system on a Ford six. Injection was through a hole in the intake valve seat, pressure control had a lot of parts from an oil furnace!
More recently he has manufactured Ardun, 337, and Lincoln V-12 manifolds.[/QUOTE]
 
Yes indeed, Ken Austin is still around. He has a Dental equipment company ( A-dec) and still supplies special manifolds. I just got another 4 barrel Lincoln V12 manifold from him and he's running one of his 3 carb manifolds on his Zephyr powered hot hot.
 
Just saw an interesting thread over on the H.A.M.B. re Ken Austin. A guy who posts as "billjones" has created a site that consists of a virtual tour of Ken Austin's Museum/car collection. Not only confirms that he's still with us but showcases a collection of superb cars plus his product line which includes aftermarket heads and manifolds for 337s & Zephyr 12s.
 
Dale, I've poked around the HAMB but can't find the article. Can you post a link to it? Ken
 
[QUOTE:cool: I'd sure like to have that "three pot" intake manifold.:D Vic. /QUOTE]
Vic, Here's your chance to get one as it appears he's still doing them. Ken
 
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