Found a Mercury flat head engine- Green- year

First of all, I do balance race engines. Second in my area balancing goes for 250 and they don't balance the rods properly. Second, you might just have to wait a month or two to get your assy back. Last. I keep the rods and crank together, so the factory balance is still there and the weight of the pistons has little affect on the engine balance, especially in an engine that rarely sees 4K.
 
Part of the fun for me is getting the machine shop to let me help run the balancer!! Balancing is somewhat dependent on the engine your building. Some leave the factory in better shape than others. The beloved SBC is one that can sometimes be way off. As Ron says, balance is geared more toward high RPM racing applications. As I stated, to me it is cheap insurance that everything is OK before an engine is assembled. They run smoother and last longer, but the difference may not be noticeable to a lot of people. I tend to modify engine components that end up requiring a rebalance anyway!
 
I've been looking at the OP's pictures, and I can't seem to make out the code on the heads (probably these old eyes), and also see it has a manifold for a 3 bolt carb. The guy who put it in the truck probably swapped on the original carb and manifold, but it's something to note. (OP : what does it say one heads? "8BA", "8RT", "8CM", ""EAB", "EAC" or something like that.) Also, the guy has had it only 28 years; I'll bet a LOT had happened with that engine before 1988!

Ron, I hear what you're saying about time. That's why I took my parts to the shop, made sure they were on the right track, and left for Florida for 6 months.
 
I cant see anything saying its a merc engine from start.
No merc clutch/flywheel.
Pumps, pan, timingcover all being same colour more indicates a 52-53 truck engine.
So make sure you get the pan off checking the crank before paying big money for a 4" motor.
 
Many years ago I bought a 302 crate engine froim a Texas re builder. I spected flat top pistons and no cam. I asked if it was balanced. He said"for 600 bucks you want it balanced" Bought a Crane cam, did my own heads and the engine is still running strong 20 years later.
 
Thanks for everyone's help. learned a lot in a short time about buying and what to look for in a Ford flat head engine,and finding out it is a EXPENSIVE engine to build to stay old school -- Thanks to every one again
 
38 Conv said:
Thanks for everyone's help. learned a lot in a short time about buying and what to look for in a Ford flat head engine,and finding out it is a EXPENSIVE engine to build to stay old school -- Thanks to every one again
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Now don't give up on us! :D We want everybody to build and enjoy the wonderful experience of a Flathead Ford . . . we're just trying to help you set your own expectations and help you strike a reasonable deal. After all of this, heck . . . we expect you to be building a flathead! (this one or another).

Take care,

B&S
 
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