Ford Flathead vs small block chevy debate!

I fell in love with the ‘Hot Rod’ passion at the early age of 13. By the time I was 15, a Model A coupe was in my backyard, and that was it. By the time I was 16, the project was well under way, and that $15.00 purchase for ’47 netted me the engine, trans gears, rear end and all of the brake components. Having that drive shaft & tube cut to the proper length was a nightmare for me…..leaving all of my money at the machine shop to get this done. Then it happened….found a 283 from a scraped ’58 station wagon and got it for $150.00. Wow, was that an experience, because I actually thought it was a 265. Immediately ordered an adapter from Honest Charley….this was 1961, and checking the mail everyday in anticipation of receiving it. The ’47 flathead was tossed under the workbench, but did not stay there long. My ’35 Tudor was in need of that motor, and in it went. We drove the living daylights out of that car. And my Hot Rod project…well, the now tri-carbed 283 ran super, but tore the hell out of the ’39 box. It did not take long for the T-10 to be installed along with a ’58 Chev rear end. Welded the Ford rear spring hangers on, kept the original ’32 spring as the Model A coupe now had a $15.00 ’32 frame. A few years went by, and oh yea, the muscle cars were beating up my 283…..so…a 327 solved that problem. I was back in action. Long story short….still have that car that I built at 15 years young…..it’s a family member and it has seen a lot of enjoyable miles. This is what most of us did back then and today, we are back to our original roots….that darn Flathead…..I have a ’32 Roadster, a ’35 3W, and a ’39 Coupe….all running flatmotors, and no other engines will take their place. Been there, done that. Love my Flatheads with the speed goodies. Robert
 

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As a teen ager in the 60s the chevy engine was small and more powerful then the Ford flathead.There was this 37 Ford in town the fastest car around not counting the big 427 ford.The chevy engine fit well and most all problem fitting were done.
The 55 chevy engine same size as a 1995 350,so as the car needed replacement engine they fit did,nt have to think.They do fit better and get good power for the effert.
 
I have nothing against an SBC, but when I see one under the hood of a Ford it just takes away the feeling of nostalgia. It has just become too "bellybutton".

If it's a Buick Nailhead, old Cadillac, or vintage Hemi, then it's cool because it combines performance and rarity.

Still prefer a clean Flattie overall.
 
If cheap is your main criterion, get you a used Kia and cruise the boulevards. If you want a little more than that in your hobby...fill in the blank.
 
In the early 1960s chevy engine cost more then i could afford.Flatheads were $50.
Kids going to high school did,nt have much money,and the well of drove dads cadilack. It all in the years you were playing with cars.
The best years I think were the years 1959-1964 then maybe a stsrtup again in the late 80s.The only thing I can say is build it the way you want,cut out this peroid correct crap.There is more money spent on air bags today.
Lost in the 1960s
 
At the risk of making some mad, Why are we giving so much attention to SBC's? This is a flathead site, let's talk about flatheads! If you want SBC, go to the HAMB for that. If myou want to power your car that way, do it. It's your car. I don't like seeing that done, but to each his own.............
 
stiring the pot, bought 2 barn finds a few years ago,34 cabriolet and a 34 roadster,worked on the cabrio. today, put 302 w/83 4sp od. trans 9'' rear, about ready for paint.. got the roadster back couple weeks ago ,body work done, will have a 55 331cu in cadillac eng, ford hd t85 od colum shift trans, 57 9'' rear, my dream car sence 50's, cbrio is wifes, rdst mine.. also having my 40 coupe worked on that i started in 1979, HO 5.0 eng, aod trans, 9'' rear. HEY i love flatheads, have rdst pu w/53 merc eng 26t linc trans w4.44 grs in columbia od. got my 27 T cpe back befor the rdst, chopped 5'',will have 36 21std eng, linc gearbox, columbia od 4.11 grs. 2 model A's, built,balanced eng, v-8 clutch and borg warner od on both...NO SBC, all FORD,
 
There is something else that comes to mind. The discussion here is all about the motors. Does anyone complain about putting a GM column in an old Ford or maybe disc brakes with GM parts? Haven't heard anything on that. Keep the hobby sane and just have fun how you like. :)
 
Flatheads aren't gonna be overruled or silenced by progress. :) It's like on oil burners where I'm a member the 7.3 IDI diesel will be running after the 6.7 and all others are dead. :) just sayin
 
They both are significant in the history of the automobile.
Both are outstanding in their own right, yet, very different from each other.
I don't see a debate as much as identifying each of their contributions/strengths.
Where would our hobby/passion be without either of them?
If I need yet more information on the SBC, I'll look for it on a Chevrolet site.
 
This IS the Ford Barn and this is the Early V8 (1932-53) forum
There is a fourm for Hot Rods - Other engines (Non-Ford) can be discussed there
That way those of us that want to talk about Flatehead Fords won't get our noses bent out of joint.
Of course trollers and bad boys will always be here cause their outlaws
 
Ol' Ron said:
Small block chebbys were designed for the poor stupid people that can't afford, or are not smart enough to build a Flathead
Click to expand...

While I respect everyones opinon on this, I don't think I'm stupid, and I think I can build a flathead if I really wanted to, but I don't. I put a sbc in my 40 Coupe so I could drive the sharpest looking car ford ever made on the freeways and across county at 70 mph all day long. Not many flatheads can do that. And yes they are cheaper than ford parts and I didn't have to cut my firewall.
 
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