rebuilding the flathead engine

sanborn

sanborn

Senior Member
A few days ago, someone was looking for info about rebuilding a flathead. I finally found that Flathead Jack still sells a book written by Ron Bishop entitled "Rebuilding The Famous Ford Flathead". It is a very good book---I have had my copy for about 40 years and still refer to it.
 
I just purchased that book from Chapters, although the information in it is very informative, there is a lot to be desired for the print quality, numbers and text in the diagrams are difficult to read. keep in mind that it only covers the flathead 8 cyl. motor
 
RE: Ron Bishops "Rebuilding the Famous Ford Flathead.
On page 69 the last two "Firing Order" for the 1946-48 and 1949-53 are incorrect.
Should be 15486372, NOT 15846372.
 
I found Ron Holleran's book "Nostalgia" and John W. Lawson's book "Flathead Facts" to be very informative.
Ron draws on his years of experience building street and race flatheads and in a straight forward writing style describes the build process. He explains the changes in the engine through the years, what works together, what don't, what processes are necessary, which are superfluous.
John starts with a basic flathead "mule" engine and as he makes changes and modifications, dyno tests the engine to see if there's gains, or in some cases, losses for each change.
Each of these books could save time and money because of the trials these gentlemen have put the flathead engine through.
Check the Swap Meet for availability.
Howard
 
I saw this morning that there is a used one (Ron Holleran's book "Nostalgia) for sale on Amazon for $75.00
 
Two of the books that have helped me quite a bit are Ford Motor Company repair manuals. The engine manual is form 3666-47G dated July 7,1947.It is titled Repair manual Ford Mercury & Truck engines 1937 to 1947. The other one that was most helpfull for transmission repair is form 3697-47 dated June 17.1947 titled Repair manual transmissions,clutches,overdrives,and power takeoffss 1932-1947.These two should be the first books bought.Most other repair rebuild books printed like Bishop's or even the newly printed transmission repair manual have used these manuals as a basis or actually just copied them.
 
Once again with permission of the Author Ron Holleran aka Ol'Ron I have his

book Flathead book "Nostalgia" in stock. This is a printed copy same as the

original except spiral wound.

Cost including postage is
$28.00 to USA ,
$24.25 to Canada and
$35.25 to the rest of the world.
paypal to me email address is fine but do not forget your postal address is needed as well. I will be shipping once a week. If using a postal money order it must be the ORANGE one. The green one is no good outside USA. Please contact me by email before sending any money.
For info please email me at billboomer@accesscomm.ca

JWL's book Flathead Facts can be purchased at
http://www.flatheadv8.org/jwl.htm
 
If you do an advanced search on the H.A.M.B. there is a scanned copy of the 3666-48D "Repair Manual Ford and Mercury V8 Engines"
 
I need to rebuild a 1947 59 engine and with so many of these around is there a newer connecting rod that's uses 49 8ba insert bearing. i don't care about horsepower just want the lower end to holdup under normal driving.
 
Mike. Wish I had moved. Too cold up here. Away from home for two weeks and will ship books when I get back.
 
George/Maine said:
I need to rebuild a 1947 59 engine and with so many of these around is there a newer connecting rod that's uses 49 8ba insert bearing. i don't care about horsepower just want the lower end to holdup under normal driving.
Click to expand...

There is no difference in rod strength but the earlier bearings actually have greater load capacity. You would have to change to the later crank to use the later rods.
 
George, stick with the floating bearings! I ran my motor with a rod knock for several years, I don't think it would have lasted a week with insert bearings.
Ol'Ron's book covers the instal on gloating bearings.
Also Barnfind08 is a great source for NOS floating bearings.
 
Thanks for the info.
I now have a better understand of the difference between the engines.
I do have a replacement engine 8rt 1953,when I get the 47 engine out will see if I can fix it.
 
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