flat head advice

rhphotord

rhphotord

Senior Member
I want to build a conventional, 40's era correct, 30 roadster hot rod. These are my questions.
I have a complete (less cam) 42 Flattie that has been magnafluxed clean for rebuild. Has two minor cracks from two head bolt to water jacket so I assume that is not a problem. The crank looks good and I have checked and it was never turned. Seven of the cylinders are within factory tolerance with virtually no ridge. One cylinder needs a sleeve.
Is it advisable to upgrade to another crankshaft using insert bearings or stay with the crankshaft I have? Go the over bore route and sleeve one cylinder?
Is it worth while even rebuilding this engine or should I continue looking for a later 59ab or 8ba ?
Posted an ad looking for a runner and had several responses but a bit concerned about buying another engine not knowing its history. Really want to do a flat head but after pricing Crank, camshaft, adjustable lifters, pistons, bearings etc. Costs really start to accelerate quickly. And that doesn't include machining.
Tradition has its price I guess but the reality is I can do a late model O.H.much cheaper.
Any sage advise from those having gone this path before?
 
Flatheads are not cheap. First thing I would do is have your 42 block pressure tested, magnafluxe is OK but only tells you so much, it needs to be pressure tested.
 
From my prospective, it's great fun to think back about how things were in the so called "good ole days", we clabbered cars together out of parts from the junk yard, giving very little thought to safety or longevity.
Fast forwarding to how things are now; engines are very expensive to build, especially the Ford flat-heads, which can hit the 5.k plus mark to do correctly. The building of a safe reliable car can be in the 25K plus range, and that does not include paint and upholstery.
The choice to use a SBC engine over a traditional well built flat-head is a personal thing, for my money the SBC is "a Belly Button", everybody has one.
If you decide to go the flat-head route have it completely checked out, by a reliable engine builder..
 
My 2 cents....
Flatheads as well as Nailheads and Olds Rockets and early Hemi's ect are all really cool engines but they are also expensive to rebuild.
I know all about the "Belly Button" aspect of a SBC and given your build era it won't really fit in will it?.
So you have some choices. 1.Start the build knowing that you will use a flathead and set it up for such while rebuilding what you have as your budget affords it.
2. Keep looking for a running Flathead that you can afford. Set an amount that you won't go over and try to find one that you can hear run and do some routine checks on. They are out there. No point in spending what amounts to the same $$$$ for an unproven 'Running" one as you would to rebuild one and know that it is done right.
Or just revamp your build era to a mid 50's and go with a SB that is "dressed up" to look like an early one. A 265 or a nice 283 with a generator and ram horn exhaust manifolds and multiple carbs.
JMO......
Torchie
 
Your project also includes a car, and altho building to look like an early rod can pose more problems with running gear and suspension. I suggest you buy a coupla books on engines like JWL's also the 42 Ford block and crang may have the large journals and can be bored to 3 3/16 and use 8BA rods to reduce the cost of a rebuild. Be nice if you could find a flathead machanic near by.
 
I agree with Torchie on this one , Here in Northern Michigan there are non running flatty's everywhere in the $400-650 price range . Having been through one rebuild on these things , the last time I gladly paid a grand [ complete w/ rad and trans] for one I could hear run , see oil pressure, see that it does not over heat , see it move the car and check compression .... I am still WAY ahead .
I do buy "non running" flatheads that the owner said ran , but only if the clues are there , the last one I only paid $300 complete and I found out independently later that it ran .

One other thing I would look for is a flatty out of a "big " truck it is most likely a 337cuand heavier duty , I believe they were also in the 49-51 Lincoln cars as well.

My 2 penny's
Oldog
 
I have spoken to a "seasoned" rebuilder that specializes in Flat heads here.Without inspecting my block, etc he indicates the block assembly budget should be in the $3000 range. Other rebuilders quotes run as high as $5000.
Of course that assumes all goes as expected and there aren't any unforeseen costs. Knowing that is a base line I know I need a cam assembly, possible head clean up and accessories. Thinking $4000 is more realistic. Now the original rebuilder has a rebuilt 42 truck engine that is the 100 hp version that will run $4000 also. Leaning toward the engine already done. Maybe I can swing a deal for a core swap for my engine? So unless I can find a running engine I can inspect thoroughly I might take the plunge. Of course after I buy the new engine runners will be falling out of the trees!
 
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