million dollar question? ha ha :)

Flathead man2

Flathead man2

Senior Member
This will make it simpler to understand what I wanna do here. What was the HP of the typical Flathead in the 40's and 50's that everybody used in the 32's? I mean for what I want is just a good running 32 roadster, I'd want a reliable driver but some kick. (what would be good for a flatty in todays HP but not to much)?

The new block from motor city equipment is what I was gonna go with and Gollers hot rods is who I was gonna go with through the rebuild process, 1. they're in ohio witch is right next door to me and 2. I dont wanna screw up anything, This new redesigned block is really a big improvement over stock, if you look at the page at motor city they explain it to you.
 
There is nothing wrong with using the Ford block. Many of us would prefer it. If money and Ford base stock are unimportant the sky is the limit.

I suggest you get some books, and read them, to add to your knowledge level before setting off to spend your money.
 
I ment enough for a flathead to run 70 mph and not get run over. :) That and I didnt say it but longevity, I'd like to run all day long. I'm just tryin to understand from your view and tryin to get the myths out of my head, that they'll overheat witch take car of with 160* thermostats. Ignition upgrade to 12 volt system for the fire.
 
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JWL said:
There is nothing wrong with using the Ford block. Many of us would prefer it. If money and Ford base stock are unimportant the sky is the limit.

I suggest you get some books, and read them, to add to your knowledge level before setting off to spend your money.
Click to expand...
I'm fine with stock blocks but most I seen and I remebered these two engines but I also remebered seeing them with no air cleaner witch told me water got in and rusted everything out. :(
 
my boss said why spend 10,000 on an engine thats gonna be unreliable and break down on ya, and I told him not if you take your time and do it right. I read on one flathead site you could get one done for 25 to 3100. I guess what I gotta do is just get it together and go scavenger hunting for a factory block and pray it's not rusty inside or bored to much. :)
 
Flathead man2 said:
The new block from motor city equipment is what I was gonna go with


...I'm fine with stock blocks but most I seen and I remebered these two engines but I also remebered seeing them with no air cleaner witch told me water got in and rusted everything out.

...
I guess what I gotta do is just get it together and go scavenger hunting for a factory block and pray it's not rusty inside or bored to much.

:(
Click to expand...


My avatar has no air cleaner (or intake manifold), but it is not rusty on the inside. That engine is for a 1932 project down the road. When I discovered how much it was going to cost to build a car, I wisely purchased an old original Ford with stock flathead. If my avatar (1952-53 Ford EAB) ends up in a car --great; the future is uncertain. Maybe some day.

Why don't you start with a flathead that already runs? Then rebuild as needed or whatever. If you were gonna spend a ton of money$$$ on a custom aftermarket flathead engine, then buyng a semi stock flathead that actually runs should not be that big a deal. ???

And just because something sits for 20 or 30 years does not mean it is automatically cooked. I started my 1937 Ford after it sat for 23 years. You tube is full of Barn Find First Starts of cars that sat for decades.

Good luck with your project.
 
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I just gotta go out for it and scavenger hunt huh and just see. I'm sorry for posting this but I just re remembered the one I said had no air cleaner, well turns out fuzzy memory is wrong it did and the hood was still there so I'm deffintley gonna take a look at this one. :) keep fingers crossed its not the 337. :)
 
I think you're missing the point on the flathead engine. Its old technology, the very dawn of the v8 engine, and that is what makes it cool. The feeling of history and nostalgia, the feeling that although the modern ways may be more advanced but the older ways have some charm to them. When I think of driving my flathead I think of a warm spring day driving with the windows down and just cruising the two lane roads, getting a thumbs-up from the people as I pass by.
When I think of driving 70 mph on the freeway and not worrying about being run over I think of a modern fuel injected computer controlled engine like the Ford coyote.
Get your head on straight about what you want, otherwise you may be very disappointed with the price you've paid and what you ended up with.
 
I'm not gonna do interstate I was thinking that but after lookin at what I want me and you are in the same ally, see I was thinking if i want to go on I-64 but the more I though on it lastnight I said nah I'll get as many looks on rt 60 (the long way around). :) I'm set straight now 32 ford, looks good and drives good just like a 32 should.
 
I suggest you buy JWL's book "Flathead Facts" This will eliminate allot of the myths. The average 276 I built cost aprox 4K and got 135 HP , most are still running, one had over 100K before it tossed a rod.
 
Horsepower is an elusive thing. Love to hear people argue about it. I have 2 vehicles. 1 has a 302 in it, factory rated at 140HP. The other has a flathead factory rated at 100HP.
The flathead is built up a lot. According to what I have read in the books it should have at least 140 HP. The 302 will run off and hide from the flathead as it should. I still love the flathead and accept it for what it is.
Don't get too carried away with HP. My flathead is much faster than stock. But........
Build it the way you want it, accept it for what it is, drive it and enjoy it.
 
I'm gonna order the book, and then the Flathead builders .If these two dont pan out I'll try to find a 276 and mod it with a cam and intake with headers, should be around 120-140 sounds right but I'll look and see. :) My main goal is to have something I can be proud to own and enjoy I will :) I'll check these two engines :) FYI people that say Flattys aren't up to snuff are liers, (My boss) is full of hot air, I rebuilt my jeep engine and it's L'head, and it runs all day without overheating, with the right stuff and care along with a GENTLE right foot a flatty will out last all of us. I'm not going trader on the Flathead no way.
 
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