Hopping Up A Flathead For the 1939 Mercury Coupe!!

In the last update on the 1939 Mercury Coupe, Matt spent wayyy to much time trying to get the engine broken free. We have given up on that plan and have pulled what we thought to be a good candidate for swap. This 1941 Ford flathead appeared to be extremely clean, and it had an oil pressure gauge installed into the block. After putting the engine onto the run stand we had it running in a matter of less then an hour. Nothing quite like taking a perfectly good running engine and pulling it apart!! Time for a Winfield Cam, Fenton Heads and Intake, and a pair of Stromberg Carbs!! Hopefully we can make this thing run!!!
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[@alseidel5622]

Matt a tip for you. Next time you use the magnet to get at the rust cover the magnet with a small piece of thin cloth. Secure it with a rubber band. Grab the rust and then remove the cloth. Rust falls away and the magnet stays clean. Nice job on the rebuild.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Good idea for sure!

[@michaelguinn5736]

Morning Matt, Mike & Steve, does Mike need a new belt?? I will be happy to donate a new one!!! Matt, the look on your face is priceless!!! You look like you are having a ball!! Be safe, God Bless!!!

[@johnjenkins8782]

Crack Kills!

[@briangardner5764]

Maybe some suspenders for that plumbers crack! I'm surprised Mike didn't blur that out when editing.

[@elcaptindelmuerte]

Hahaha Mike edits these videos how does he not notice or is that his thing?

[@rickkyriakopoulos1103]

Nothing like the sound of a flathead ! ! Sweet !

[@2pugman]

The early flatheads had the distributor down in the front and a PITA to work on. Plus, it goes on 180* out ! The '49 thru to the OHV were easier to work on.

[@richball9576]

Dang Mike! You need to invest in some suspenders! Lmao

[@leonardwalters154]

Dang! That old flatty sounds great 👍, can't wait to see it in the merc and hear it running in it

[@ronaldheit196]

Man does Matt have a huge library of knowledge in his head. The magnet and compressed air cleaning trick 8d have never thought of had I not seen him describing and doing it here. Absolutely brilliant. That's why he da boss at the Iron Trap Garage.

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

Old hot rodders & mechanics have been doing this for years. It's better to turn it up side down in the engine stand so the big shit falls out then roll it over with the deck level & fill it full of 50% Muriatic acid & water then let it soak for a bit. Flush & repeat as Necessary on each bank.

[@dougzera1487]

I just love the sound of a flat head , but a hopped up one 💪👍

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

My grandfather and his brothers raced these way back in the day on the local dirt tracks (Silver Springs, WilliamsGrove). My pappy did all kinds of craziness to get them to run wild. He had an old hotrod rag it was called something like the poor man's hop up. He said they would pack the heads with asbestos to raise the compression. They would double up and sometimes triple up the valve springs. He said they would get them to run on the edge of blowing up. When something broke it was over there was no saving it. This reminded me of stories with my pappy in the old racing days some 70 years ago.

[@dylanjones1286]

Could you elaborate on the "packing the heads with asbestos for compression" ?

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

@@dylanjones1286 I would love to if I could. He passed away about 22 years ago. My guess would be that they would make a slurry like the plumbers did when doing pipe insulation. Then lather it on the head. Asbestos is indestructible so it surely didn't burn or anything. I don't know for sure. When he told us those old racing stories I was a little kid and never questioned it. I heard many times that he shimmed the valve springs that tight he would turn over 7500 rpm. If he dropped a valve it was game over, have to go shopping for a new block.

[@ksingleton101]

At 63 years old I have seen a lot of old cars that now with the ability to understand more about them I wish I had the same opportunities again, buying some of those cars I was afraid to touch.

[@gordhildreth4630]

Rust is ongoing rust is ongoing rust. Best to boil the interior of the block a couple of times, then GLYPTOL the water jackets. Make panels to contain the Glyptol and then rotate the block to distribute.

[@trevorcalhoun4530]

What a great sounding engine! I love the sound of a flathead Ford V8!!!

[@jackphilly338]

Great job guys boy does that sound sweet.👍👍

[@danoakes8680]

Very nostalgic. My first engine tear down and rebuild. I was 12 in 1956 The old school guy.

[@ericargo9157]

Being a long time Harley guy and the iconic sound that they make, a Flathead has the same combustion sounding coolness. They are truly unique and totally unmistakable.

[@kurtludwig6962]

Sounds like a lot hotter Engine than the “stock “ when you first

[@hdvette64]

The sound came out really good, you can’t beat the sound of a flathead. Cam lopes just right.

[@steveanderson5888]

To Matt and everybody else at the shop it looks like a shop old-time cars running extra engine beefed up and running you guys are learning a lot and I appreciate it

[@karlpechotsch9769]

The sweet sound of a V8 flathead love it thank you for sharing.

[@shadow-gt8wg]

Another awesome day at ITG school. Always something interesting and useful to learn from the master. I think you could add ITG suspenders to your online store. Mike could be your first customer. LOL

[@Hungry_Hunter]

This is what I really enjoy . First hand real work. No BS and dumb catch phrase "I'll be Dipped" rubbish great work.

[@ryanmonahan7912]

VGG is far better than this channel , hour long vids, build series, half the content on this channel is basically videos of the parts they flip. They are making money off the hot rod community, Derek is producing vids on his dime

[@IronTrapGarage]

We’re making money off the community? What the hell do you think speedway is doing? Or jegs or summit or or? We work WAY harder than any of those businesses you shop with to salvage these cars and parts and put them back out into the world. And the “dime” much larger channels are making their videos on is the money they make off of their KZbin videos…

[@Hungry_Hunter]

Strange reply to my comment. .I'm a fan and I reckon your doing very good work educating us about your passion for old V8 Ford hot rods . Might have been commenting on a different post maybe. Everyone needs to make a profit to survive and live. I'd much rather see someone make a few bucks and redistribute these vintage parts to people who enjoy the art of restoration. It's a lot of work building cars .

[@maxbrouggy3126]

Gotta love a cammy idle

[@danielkeel9265]

Great stuff! Nice to see some engine work too. Looking forward to the Mercury vid/s. She doesn't look like she needs much more then a recommision once that pretty motor goes in. Loved the way it started and idled so smoothly before you even got started! It's always a kick when something just works for you!

[@jrweis5174]

I had to stop and back up the video several times and listen to that flathead sing. Like music to my ears!

[@pennypincher6730]

A hopped up flatty has a wonderful sound

[@garymatulis8367]

Very cool Matt... Flatheads bring back so many great memories for me!! The looks and the sounds are so unique and it is great that you are one of the few that cares so much about this era in hot rod history. Thanks!!!!

[@oldtown6240]

I like your approach to these project builds. I wish I was so similarly situated. The Mercury is something that even in the day, I didn't see many and certainly few, if any, were hotrodded. The 34 Ford and 40 Fords are what many of us lusted after, but had to be content with driving our father's cars. Memorable names of the past: Fenton, Stromberg, Winfield. Thanks for the videos.

[@walkerr.woodle8444]

Seems that you guys are living the dream! I’m learning a lot.

[@Issueforth]

Thanks, Guys! Love your work as usual, thank you for your time and knowledge. So cool to see the fruits of labor successful.

[@kyleforeman4543]

Aww,the sounds of a hot 🔥 flathead, tks guys for sharing

[@terryeustice5399]

Looking forward to engine being put on the old Mercury . Thank you for sharing!

[@25vrd48]

The old Flatty sounds so Cool man . Makes me want another Merc flat head . Great video .

[@danothemano1]

I just can’t help but smile when I hear a flatty run. Can’t wait to build my own.

[@jpalberthoward9]

I personally love flatheads, you guys do awesome work, and that engine is a real good one, however.....

[@stephenfrost2272]

Just what the Mercury needed. It'll make it a nice straight full fendered street rod - maybe lowered just a leetle bit? That car is so straight it will be a head turner when parked and, with a hopped up engine, when running, too. Keep us all up to date with progress on all your projects - we all appreciate the videos.

[@jongolliher5121]

Hey Matt. I'm sure that you know that back in the day that merc would be a tail dragger with fender skirts. My first car was a 39 merc 2 door sedan with long spring shackles and skirts and I loved that car. It was a real treat to ever see a 39 coupe because there just wasn't many around. Man, you always find the choice cars! : ) ........and even a very suitable motor for that one! I built an A V8 that I took to several car shows in the early 2000s. I spent lots of time starting my full race motor for folks to hear run . Also as you know , like lots of old timers on here, how great they sound! Looking forward to seeing this project because I was always partial to them, even over that year fords because of many small differences in the design. Also first year for juice brakes on fords and mercs. Good luck!

[@raylarkin5004]

Matt! you were always at least one step ahead of my idea!👍🏼 This is precisely what i was talking about in my comments in your last post and you said that was what the free t was.😊 this is like i was following your idea in posts you didnt have up yet. Incredible brother! Just one of the many reasons i so enjoy you and Iron trap garage! This engine rejuvenation is excellent. Thank you, I will only guess this Merc is gonna be old school magic. 😊

[@ryand.8176]

Sweeeeet! It may not be a car you see that bad boy all the time, but when they hear it burbling like that through straight pipes, they are gonna make you pop the hood to see it!😁

[@davidhofman4341]

My dad was service manager at a Lebanon County Ford dealership 50's early 60's. I remember him complaining about mechanics using gasket shellac on engine heads. Many of the heads were broken to get them off. Yours came off easy.

[@slowshop]

Hey that thing sounds SAWEET!!!

[@stevenkarnisky411]

Always liked the look of flatheads! Like the sound of this one!

[@robertgrisham2611]

Engine sounds beautiful to my ears.

[@daviddaniels6473]

Sounds like a good time waiting to happen!!

[@usmclee65]

Lee here, that motor is in great condition and you didn't even know it, someone knew what they were doing to!

[@glenncampbell9126]

Sounds great.

[@tomfreebern2556]

Love the sound of an open pipe flatty

[@GarysMetalDetecting]

I love our hobby.

[@pitstopranch1422]

"...so we have a perfectly good running engine to replace the stuck one in the car, so we are going to tear it down and do a bunch of work to it..." ...that checks. Keep up the good work my friends!

[@mikedavis8165]

When I was a little kid my dad had a 49 Ford coupe with a hopped up Flathead in it and it would burn rubber for a city block 😎👍

[@cmintsurfer]

That cam!!! I enjoyed watching the process.

[@Ecosse57]

man that engine was a score! and i learned some stuff about flatheads today and it sounds sweet. very cool video guys. also, thanks mike for listing the music you use. some of it's pretty rad.

[@oldtimer3385]

Sounds just beautiful

[@bavariabearfan]

Please get Mike some extra long t-shirts! Not what I want to see on a Friday Morning! Nice motor though and in great condition.

[@MichaelMBarnes-f7b]

Sounds sweet

[@henryg683]

Matt fantastic job on the motor!!!!!

[@kennybrown1977]

Great video guys. I never worked on a flathead V8. Very interesting to me. Thanks

[@ryanlargo921]

Is there a donation fund to get Mike longer shirts or tighter belts.?.?.? #crackkills

[@gconant01]

Offenhauser 4 barrel manifold and quadrajet. Blueprint the carb not just rebuild it. Smoother running and more power than even 3 deuces

[@kenimhoff6475]

A cammed flathead made my day!

[@dionrau5580]

Purring like a Kitty! Heck yeah throw a bunch of the old time speed Goody's you been collecting for year's!

[@squidgameisaliarisawnosqui5341]

There yah go!!!!! To cool great video I needed that ty Steve

[@frankm8533]

I could sleep to that sound 👍

[@ldnwholesale8552]

All that rust will block the rad, you will need fliters, or a sock in the top hoses[s] to catch it. Not pretty but totally required. Back in the 70s I used an engine, then about 12 years old that was rusty and I had two radiators, one for 6 lap heats and another for 8 lap finals [2km laps] Never thought of a filter!! Lucky I had a radiator shop as a sponsor! I have seen the classis stockcar guys do similar with flattys and they are using Landcruiser radiators! And using a used cam and non matching lifters?? I hope it survives. And always use moly cam lube. On the lobes. You MAY get away with it because not much lift or spring presure on those engines. I have seen new cams wipe a lobe in about a minute, even then a mild race cam in a Chev

[@markcors949]

Will you do a water flush of the cooling system to get the rest of the crud outta the block? I like that you have the engine stand to work and run on, has to be super helpful.

[@motorv8N]

Oh whadda glorious sound. Nice work. 😎

[@jpalberthoward9]

Say "NO" to crack! 6:15-6:45 pull up the gangster butt pants, or get some one piece long drawers. If I want to see the moon, I'll wait till it gets dark and go stand in the yard. Good Lord!!!

[@_randombob]

Crying at how easy that first head came off

[@richardanderson7211]

After watching and listening to the end result all Iron Trap Garage cars must have hopped up motors!

[@garretlee83]

More engine vids but less crack!!!! Jk mike. It’s fantastic!! Lmao.

[@Johnshaft1970]

Maaaaaaaan Listen To The Ol' Dude Woof !!!!!!!!!!! FORD POOOOWWWWAAAA

[@jeffsnyder2051]

sounds great, thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bradeastham5494]

Love the sound of a flatty! I need to get one.😂

[@thomasst.martin3308]

Not sure what kind of oil pressure you have, but I am guessing it is just ok. Back in the day we modified the oil pump with a heavy spring to increase the oil pressure. A few years ago I rebuilt a '48 Lincoln 12, which were notorious for low oil pressure. The stock pump was replaced with a Melling Hi Volume oil pump. Wow. What a difference. I had enough oil pressure that I could sub-lease some of it to other flatheads. Melling sells them in two flavors, Hi Pressure and Hi Volume. They are a little bit pricey, but the piece of mind was well worth it to me.

[@richardbutterfoss2353]

Nice! RWB

[@timwarlick1565]

Love an old flaty

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid really enjoyed!!!!!!!!!

[@danterry6328]

Flatheads are just plain cool engines. Was Mike a plumber at one time?

[@charliebryson1285]

you need to get a tubing bender from ECI, perfect lines everytime

[@bigjarn]

Some guys should wear suspenders LOL

[@RichieCat4223]

Matt after doing your air/magnet thing, a quality chemical engine flush would help get a lot more out. 13:07 Did you buy that part from Speedway ?

[@AJStarch]

#notsponsored so he can’t confirm, deny or say that name in a video! 🤣

[@Racemojo]

Another awesome video Matt!! Man, I love those flatheads! I just can't get enough! It's an addiction. What's your plans with the engine you're pulling out if the Merc? Can't wait for the next video on this engine! Matt ~ Mojo Speed And Lounge

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks! Gonna keep that engine for a future project. Will be able to see what’s really causing it to be so stuck once out of the car. If it’s just really stuck lifters in the bore we may just clean it up and, reassemble and lightly hop up like this engine

[@rustyicepick8462]

To each his own but I think going to all the trouble to mount the engine in the run stand and risk breaking something or grinding dirt into a bearing is a waste of time if you're going to tear it down anyway. What if it didn't run? You'd tear it down then too, right? Maybe it makes sense if you're not doing a complete rebuild.

[@MajTom-wd2yt]

12:05 Disclaimer.....I've only got 45 or 50 years of buckle nusting.....but I've never lubricated a fastener before torquing. Clean & dry.....No?

[@DeweyCheatumNHoweLLC]

I have a couple sets of tubing benders I can send you, if you need them. 😁 I bent many a brake line like that, though.

[@SILVERHORSE347]

That's a nice car!

[@timlowery7156]

The old "flush and fill" kits used to be laying around everywhere for the driveway mechanic , why not do something similar?

[@tonyshoe3131]

nice !!!!!

[@markgriffin4888]

When does the chop & channel happen??????

[@Groucho57]

This thing sounds mean. Roughly how much power is a mild build like this good for? I know that's not the main goal here but I'm not very experienced with flatheads (yet) and I'm curious. Great video as always. 👍

[@mrnobody6573]

Are you going to paint & detail it before installation? Will this run better than the free T?

[@CapnBubbaa]

Firstly, I know it is not a real old school question, but did a flatty actually, put out more horsepower with 2 strombergs, vs a single 4 barrel intake, most saw ran the old square bolt pattern (ie: christmas tree Holley, or Carter wcfb)... just asking

[@giannirocco7492]

You guys have any videos showing how to rig up a full flow oil filter on the flat head Ford V8?

[@janyoung1633]

Aluminum cam gear is for quieting or some other purpose? Just curious.......Keep up the great videos and work!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Original was a fiber material and are prone to cracking/breaking

[@markthomas9604]

What did you use for fuel line? What’s the name of that button you had to order for the front of the new cam? Thanks.

[@malkie638]

the Ardun 33 suits you best

[@ThatGuyInOhio72]

Hey Matt, wheres an inexpensive place to find head studs for the edelbrock heads?

[@atticautos484]

Someone please get Mike a belt. lol

[@robertwilson9012]

Hello Matt !!!! Does it make any difference with aluminum heads - compared to the iron heads ???

[@paulcarr2207]

Quick question Matt. When fitting a crab dizzy on to my 1939 24 stud Flathead. Do I have to change the timing cover for the 2 bolt dizzy? I bought the 2-3 bolt adapter plate from Speedway However the distributor shaft doesn’t seem to reach the slot in the camshaft. Cheers Paul Carr

[@IronTrapGarage]

You also need the cam button that takes up that gap. I believe speedway sells them as well

[@paulcarr4435]

@@IronTrapGarage Thanks guys. Love your work.

[@markcors949]

How did the valve seats look? Were they also redone when the springs were done?

[@oldtin5059]

I thought copper gaskets were a no go on aluminium heads because electrolysis?

[@shotsrodder]

She sounds choppy 🥰😎

[@markstopkey4085]

Sounds rowdy