Ford Flathead vs small block chevy debate!

Marvin/TN said:
Flatheads were driven across country up and down this country

Yes they were and during that time Western Auto had Flat Head parts, find a Western Auto today let alone Flat head parts. I like Flat Heads also and like I said above I have one in my Stock 46 Coupe but that being said I wouldn't want to drive from here to CA and back with no parts availability, and Flat Heads do break down just like SBC or SBF's. If it's mechanical it will break, just a matter of when not if. I doubt that you could even buy a set of points at a parts store today. Yeah, you can order parts out on the road and while waiting you can cool your heals in maybe some 2 bit motel out in Podunk ID, or some where. Now thats not a slam against ID, so don't get your panties in a wad all you Guys from ID.
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Flathead parts are readily available how do we all build these engines ? Sure you may not find parts at kragens , but that's what planning and tool boxes are for. We continue to drive these engines across and up and down this country. I don't want a rice rocket I want tradition . I want to do it right, not easy I want to breath the history in I want to hear the history come to life I want to continue the tradition. I want the flathead.
 
Marvin/TN said:
Flatheads were driven across country up and down this country

Yes they were and during that time Western Auto had Flat Head parts, find a Western Auto today let alone Flat head parts. I like Flat Heads also and like I said above I have one in my Stock 46 Coupe but that being said I wouldn't want to drive from here to CA and back with no parts availability, and Flat Heads do break down just like SBC or SBF's. If it's mechanical it will break, just a matter of when not if. I doubt that you could even buy a set of points at a parts store today. Yeah, you can order parts out on the road and while waiting you can cool your heals in maybe some 2 bit motel out in Podunk ID, or some where. Now thats not a slam against ID, so don't get your panties in a wad all you Guys from ID.
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I can get anything i want for a flathead at the local parts store and as far as driving across the country ask the rolling bones guys they drive from upstat ny all over the country all in flatheads...something breaks you can fixit on the side of the road....all you have to do is plan take extra parts and youre good to go
 
I think its more of a affordability factor to use a chevy engine than flathead...around here its 300. to hot tank and extra to magnuflux...then the parts ie pistons and rods are more expensive.....you can purchase a good running small block for $400. but be into a flattie $4000.in no time....I am building a 51 mercury now! but I love the sound of the flathead and its the first engine I built as a young man....
 
:rolleyes: Flathead, fathead, big block, small block, 2, 4, 6, or more, hell there all neat and if it can run down the road it is neater and if it is yours it is the neatest.
 

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I find it very interesting how some people pick one of the most expensive hobby’s and say it’s to expensive when it comes time for a motor.


400 for a used sbc or 4 grand for a fresh V8 …. really? that’s a comparison?
 
296 V8 said:
I find it very interesting how some people pick one of the most expensive hobby’s and say it’s to expensive when it comes time for a motor.


400 for a used sbc or 4 grand for a fresh V8 …. really? that’s a comparison?
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I find the same thing funny honestly I build what I like and that's flatheads...just about everything I own has a flathead except for a couple ad chevy trucks(mu grandfathers had them so I wanted trucks like theirs) but I don't skimp on stuff especially when it comes to flatheads I plan on the average rebuild costing $4000 but the last one I build I'm in around $16000(yes u read that right)
 
My first car was a $150.00 10 year old 50 Ford. I loved it so much that I kept it even after I got my second car, a 58 Ford 4 years later. There is nothing like the sound and feel of a flathead. 40 years later I got my second 50, driving it is like I am 16 again. I smile every time I walk into the garage and grin every time I drive it. It sounds faster than it is but I do not want to drive as fast on old style suspention and brakes as I did 50 years ago. Bob
 
50fordbob said:
My first car was a $150.00 10 year old 50 Ford. I loved it so much that I kept it even after I got my second car, a 58 Ford 4 years later. There is nothing like the sound and feel of a flathead. 40 years later I got my second 50, driving it is like I am 16 again. I smile every time I walk into the garage and grin every time I drive it. It sounds faster than it is but I do not want to drive as fast on old style suspention and brakes as I did 50 years ago. Bob
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Awesome story bob im only 26 so I'm kind of new to the flathead game got my first one when I was 15 (1953 merc convertible) been a sickness ever since...I have 5 flathead powered cars...34 truck, 36 3-window, 40 Tudor, 40 sedan delivery, 53 merc convt..and a 337ci flathead powered industrial power plant...sickness yes but a good one.....I'm the same way everytime I go into the garage I can't help but smile...
 
I have a nice 32 V8 engine with stock aluminum pan , tall water pumps and heart shaped correct heads but no 32 car to put it in. A few of my close friends dared me to put it into a 62 Corvette. The car was offered to me and a body shop offered to paint the car at no charge. I really want to proceed with this to fight fire with fire but hate to offend Henry plus I would never dare drive it. Has anyone done something like this before ? if so I would like details. Huh....
 
Well I have driven flatheads all over the great USA without any trouble.So I prefer flatheads in the cars that had flatheads.How ever my dream is to some day get one of those plastic things they call a corvette say about 54-55 used piece of crap and put a flathead in it and then take it to
corvette shows.Now thats what I am talking about.-FUN-FUN-FUN

sp1ke
 
I wouldn't go to a Corvette show if it was across the street. ......... Those guys are pretty anal. I'll bet a flatmotor in one of those would drive them nuts:D
 
Straightpipes said:
I wouldn't go to a Corvette show if it was across the street. ......... Those guys are pretty anal. I'll bet a flatmotor in one of those would drive them nuts:D
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Do you know the difference between a cactus and a corvette?????

Cactus has the pricks on the outside!!!

Ronnie
 
It might not be as fast, BUT, there has NEVER been a better looking engine than our own FLATHEAD motor !
MIKE :)

PS.... This is fact, not just an opinion !
 
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