Junkyard Ford Flathead Becomes A Classic Hot Rod V8 - Engine Power S1, E8

Transforming a junkyard Ford flathead into a classic hot rod V8 with prepping the block to handle a stroked rotating assembly.
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PARTS USED IN THIS EPISODE:
3M: Sanding Pad, Scotch-Brite, Nylon, Gray, 9 in. Length, 6 in. Width, Ultra Fine, Set of 20
More Info: pntv.us/pn_pt_363
Dupli-Color: Paint, Engine, Enamel with Ceramic Resin, Flat Gray Primer, 12 oz., Aerosol, Each
More Info: pntv.us/pn_pt_361
Dupli-Color: Paint, Engine, Enamel with Ceramic Resin, Gloss, Red, 12 oz., Aerosol, Each
More Info: pntv.us/pn_pt_359
Summit Racing: Engine Re-Ring, 4.000 in. Bore, Standard Rod, Standard Main, Chevy, Kit
More Info: pntv.us/pn_pt_364
Summit Racing: R2C Performance - Air Cleaner Base Plate, Race System, Black Nylon, 14 in. Diameter, 5 1/8 in. Inlet, Dropped 1.375 in.,Each
More Info: pntv.us/pn_pt_366
Goodson Shop Supplies: Bearing Scraper
Goodson Shop Supplies: Manual Valve Spring Compressor for Small Engines
Matco Tools: SMCOL122 - 12 Piece Dual Offset Combo Wrench
SMCOL122 - 12 Piece Dual Offset Combo Wrench: The Industrial Depot - Fasteners, Hardware and Shop Supplies
WD-40: WD-40 300004 Specialist Rust Release Penetrant Spray, 11 oz.
WD-40: WD-40 300042 Specialist Rust Remover Soak, 1 Gallon
WD-40: WD-40 Big Blast Can

[@bobby6121]

This is giving me early 2000s television vibes. Straight forward, to the point and very informative!

[@salvadorayala3860]

Yes!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Actually the Ford flathead V8 was still being made into like the 1980's in Europe for trucks...

[@graemecatty9921]

One of the best instructional videos on engine rebuilds. No waffle and loud background music, just clear descriptions.

[@redneckrules5812]

"that was pretty dirty" Diesel mechanics: "first time?"

[@deborahchesser7375]

No shit, they look like coal miners with all that soot.

[@darryladams519]

If a diesel is clean it ain't been ran yet.

[@stuartadair]

What makes this brilliant is that they haven't ruined it with a needless stupid music overlay. So many great video's are ruined with overlays so well done to these guys for making a brilliantly entertaining video.

[@kennyheinbaugh2966]

That’s the main reason to watch these guys not only do they use the actually sounds not bologna overlay and they explain everything they’re doing been watching since I was 5 on spike TV

[@maverick4582]

Amen!

[@codykenyon8783]

@Lassi Kinnunen 81 p

[@AirCargoHeavy]

Good point, and the music they play is abrasive and obnoxious beyond irritation.

[@elslick]

Yes 100 percent agree. They have a perfect blend of music discussion and audio of the actual work.

[@lawrencefoster2120]

I am 56 and my dad was a mechanic and I didn't realize that the flathead was such a cool motor. The United States must have the most car parts in the world.

[@bmstylee]

I can't speak for the rest of the world but the US has a huge automotive culture. Classics, hotrods, muscle cars, Euros, JDM, trucks, we have it all.

[@karaDee2363]

It's good to see some guys that actually know what they're doing

[@madzen112]

Some youtubers makes things look easy, you make them look hard. I like that.

[@MerlinOpeth]

Love the fact that you guys keep the classics alive.

[@erajkordestani9309]

مینا احدی

[@danoakes8680]

Oh the old 8ba block. This was the very first engine I ever disassembled. I was 12 years old in 1956. I never stopped fixing things. Thanks for the video. The old school guy.

[@xsniperprox1]

would be interesting to see an old flathead get a turbo build.

[@clarkhull7546]

never thought about that

[@jackbritt2424]

Old heads would go ape shit.

[@70_Torino_Guy]

I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR IT RUMBLE!

[@bmstylee]

Only as long as we see the project it went in which was Banana Split

[@stevedingman474]

My wife’s grandfather was a hot Rodder I so wanna honor him by building his first great grandson… I met Larry after I proposed too his princess grand daughter . At first it was scratchy but as soon as we both figured out we had military service that really broke the ice he was a helicopter mechanic and I was in supply . A great man ! I enjoyed the monthly visits home to her grand parents after we were married . But we spent hours talking about hot Rodding back in the day . He drew me pictures on how fast he could replace valves . And many many more hints and tricks and how 50 mercs and 50 fords were perfect bodies for making a fast car .

[@user-rh8hc9gy7d]

That was the revolutionary engine! That motor started the new age in car industry.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Not really... Chevy OHV 6 always made more HP...

[@markspeir6805]

i wish they would add the second part to this i want to hear this thing run

[@pmcm5362]

WOW ! Very nice to watch a video put together by people who knows what they are talking about. My first Car had a flat head. I learned something here, 1952 Ford Customline

[@jamesmay6075]

When I couldn't even reach into the engine compartment (had to climb in there) my Dad taught me how to work on flat heads. This meant I had to do most of the dirty work; he told me it would build character. I'm still waiting on the character thing but so far no banana.

[@nathanrice1796]

Pretty good flathead rebuild video. I especially enjoyed the metal cutting part of it.

[@johnalarcon5006]

You guys definitely know you stuff!!!!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

I rebuild these engines for a living, if anyone is watching this video for education, my whole channel is about flatheads 👍🏼

[@zozo_letsplayz850]

do you do anything with hercules flathead 4cyls?

[@jg5001]

I'm a Ford guy, but found a beautiful '63 Cadillac Fleetwood I wouldn't mind restoring. That said, you think I should put in a Ford block for fun?

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@@zozo_letsplayz850 I’m sorry I’ve never worked on one of those before

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@@jg5001 I guess if you wanted to get rid of the big block lol you could put a small block Ford in it

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@BURNOUTS AND DONUTS that’s badass!

[@sro1020]

Love y'all's vids! Reminds me of the old school hot rod tv videos very informative and entertaining !

[@davewallace8219]

I've seen these flathead installed in motor cycle frames!! they sound great!!

[@HarisridinatTN57]

I can't wait to hear this Flathead Sound.

[@kingstondouglas3488]

i realize it is kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good website to watch newly released movies online?

[@jazielsage845]

@Kingston Douglas I would suggest flixzone. Just google for it :)

[@alonsorayan2195]

@Kingston Douglas I use FlixZone. You can find it on google :)

[@HarisridinatTN57]

Pirate it

[@reginaldbyrd8073]

That engine is very old, but watching someone bringing it back to life lives on forever.

[@johnbehneman1546]

GREAT VIDEO AND BUILD!!!!! I WOULD LOVE TO BUILD A FORD FLATHEAD IN THE FUTURE!!!!! SO MUCH FUN!!!

[@Atlas.X9X]

I never saw these Flathead episodes. Pretty awesome.

[@jessetruman5788]

I love watching hing all the cool engine rebuilds. And I love the extra engine ypu guys give this time about the flathead engines. I wish I had enough money to rebuild something

[@michaelwelch557]

Great video....Im not a mechanic and will never rebuild a Flat Head....but your video and the guys detailed and effective communication is also great. Thumbs up!!

[@joeschlotthauer840]

I really enjoy the engine machining videos...

[@aurktman1106]

I have 3 of them to rebuild, this is some serious inspiration!

[@dougherbert7899]

Open the wallet, lol. They are awesome, but about 3x the rebuild cost of a SBC for 1/3 the power.

[@aurktman1106]

@@dougherbert7899 not really that much, two are complete in good shape, one is a rust bucket. They are comparable in price to rebuild as a good rebuild on a SBC if you have all of the major parts in good shape.

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Thanks I'm hooked on this kind of engine

[@ajw6715]

Easiest way to remove rusty stuck pistons is to put about 1" of diesel fuel in the cylinders a lite it with a propane torch and let it burn until it goes out then tap the piston with a block of wood and hammer. The pistons will come out no problem.

[@mikecurtis2585]

Love those flat head ford's. Thanks 😊!!

[@TruckingShooter]

im glad i stumbled on this, i loved this show back when i was a young man

[@tankgunner32]

I would’ve love to have Seen some classic offenhauser parts on the flat head

[@larryhutchens7593]

A little tip on cam bearings that you may or may not be aware of. On V-8 engines I always install the #1 & #5 first then check for fit. if they are tight do the gray scotch brite thing to scuff up the bearing a bit. Re-install the cam & rotate a few times. Remove cam & inspect the bearing. The high spots will be shiny & you can easily see where you need to work on them to get a good fit. After these 2 bearings are fitted properly install the remaining bearings one at a time repeating the proceedure. I also run a hone through the bearing bore slightly before installing the bearings to remove any nicks or high spots. Saves a lot of grief. I'll be watching to see how this critter performs.

[@doughibbard8462]

Also pay close attention to #5 bearing. The big hole must line up in order for the mechanical fuel pump to work.

[@larryhutchens7593]

@@bigboreracing356 Explain please. Some MoPar big blocks can be a pain on the cam bearings.

[@AndieBlack13]

A 53 Ford sedan came into our shop one day in fully stock form...the guy left it idling as we looked under-hood. Listening to this engine it was suprisingly quiet....no valve-train sounds whatsoever...utterly silent!

[@johnkidd1226]

They run so quiet and smooth, old time mechanis told me stories of sticking their hands near the fan, not realizing the engine was running. I once watched my friend balance a nickel on its edge on the air cleaner after tuning up the flathead in his 52 Ford pickup.

[@kweeks10045]

My Dad and I built an 8BA several years back. Great running engine.

[@jonathansparks7558]

Is this an older episode???? If not, so happy to see Mike Galley back in front of the camera

[@ShishaPaule]

it is an old episode. Mike is gone :/

[@jonathansparks7558]

@@ShishaPaule damn that sux

[@tuckercole1531]

@@ShishaPaule what happened to him

[@ShishaPaule]

@@tuckercole1531 that's a good question, i don't know for sure. at the end of last season there was a short promotional video. Mike said in the video that powernation is looking for new employees. I never even thought that Mike would leave Engine Power. there was no more information, no statement, no farewell, there was absolutely nothing ... there is no information on the internet either.

[@Guns_N_Gears]

True to form, PN has rotated folks in and out over the years. Some were good moves, but most were not.

[@andrewfyakim525]

You guys are brilliant!

[@jimenz6548]

I agree with one comment, that there is no wild and very loud music!!! So many you tubers think everyone likes their lousy music. So thanks for not including that crap. I've forgotten so much over the last 50 years of working on the old flatheads. I remember that using the very early Chrysler hemi intake valves for the intake and the exhaust in the flatheads. They are so close, but work fine. I still collect the racing parts for these engines when I can find them. I have one of the original cast Edelbrock Slingshot manifolds. plus many others. Camshafts, Harmon and Collins mags, etc.......I got on the tail end of these parts being scrapped. The local junkyard would save all that stuff for me. Then the supply ran out.....Had a lot of fun with the flatheads!!!! If I remember right, I put the left exhaust manifold on the right and the right on the left,so the exit pointed front, and had mufflers out front under the radiator!!!

[@jandkwhite6459]

Flatheads are damn near the best looking engine ever made...sucks that they loved to overheat and not make a lot of power

[@closertothetruth9209]

Do you know why they overheated, i was thinking maybe undersized radiators back in the day.

[@AcesNtheEND]

I like the Chevy 409 W motors look best

[@keithusace4352]

@@closertothetruth9209 do to the torque of the engine and the dual water pumps being a part of the engine mounting system they had a tendency to fail on one of the pumps and could cause an engine to over heat without the pump leaking. That's from an experience I had back in 68 with my 51 F1

[@bigassfordsd]

@@mikec9112 The first chrysler hemi, started design in 1941, and was built in 1944. It was an aircraft engine. The Ardun heads didn't come about until 1947. Maybe they copied, maybe they didn't.

[@slick-px4pq]

@@closertothetruth9209 inefficient water pumps was part of the problem. Better pumps are available now along with much better radiators.

[@johnsmith-qz4bv]

cool build i never thought it could be saved

[@SiriusC1024]

This was great to watch. John did really good work. I do wish they had used a mirror instead of that channel stock to deck the block.

[@tomrobards7753]

Loved the video , can't wait to see the finished flatty build and test run , , just a question this is the first video I've seen in sometime ??? On KZbin. ??????

[@ez6301]

Awesome...Long live the Flathead!!

[@wayneg5296]

I drove a 52 Ford with a "Flat Head", I liked it, it ran quietly, but eventually needed major repairs! I remember seeing these flatheads being sold as power units on a base complete with radiator.

[@topcthepainclan2004]

Love this show

[@jhonjairopereagonzalez2558]

You're professional.... congratulations

[@JamesCouch777]

I knew a guy who put one of those in a Ford 9N tractor. Really upped the performance 😁👍

[@RK-ml2ns]

Epic video!

[@4speed3pedals]

Setting the block on the flywheel surface enables installation of the camshaft using gravity to work for you and not mark up the cam bearings - just have a good handle for the end of the camshaft to grasp before lowering into the block. A long bolt through a piece of flat bar steel makes an excellent handle.

[@ragemadd6340]

Ahh, some new thing building on old things, nice👍

[@ronwade2206]

The problem with all flat head engines was the heads. They ALL Cracked!

[@JAAB9296]

Flatheads are really cool. One of the biggest problems is they only have 3 main bearings. Anyway, they can make some power, no, not like a LS engine but still fast considering how old the technology is. Besides, they sound cool, look really neat in a 3 or 5 window coup.

[@fordnut4914]

I know these Ain't as strong and reliable as modern engines but they got a cool factor today's engines probably will never have.

[@randysrestoration]

Gotta love a good Flathead! My last one was in a 1946 Ford coupe and was the 110 hp 239 out of a Mercury. Unreal how smooth those old flatties run

[@jeromebreeding3302]

I'm surprised no one is reproducing a new block for flatties. The French made new ones into the nineties. Let's do it before the Chinese !

[@skipabrams3809]

@@jeromebreeding3302 ---- Totally agree! Repop Flathead V8s would be a small niche market and they'd be as expensive as hell, but at least they'd be available. If guys are willing to pony up $15,000 for a brand new 1969 Camaro body from Dynacorn, then certainly us old Ford fanatics wouldn't mind shelling out $5,000 for a Flathead fresh out of the foundry!

[@jeromebreeding3302]

@@skipabrams3809 Perhaps the molds and processes the French used for decades could be aquired for a cast-iron re-pop. That could make them less expensive.

[@tedstriker754]

That flathead has a lot of parts, such as the valves and springs, that are a lot harder to install than the engines I've overhauled.

[@philipdunn7538]

Those original intake valves are so cool and should be mounted somewhere as a cool feature.

[@BiggusDickus2]

Like in the scrap bin.

[@jerrytalley337]

I think at 4:30 he meant the Mercury had a longer stroke. 256 cubes for the Merc and 239 for the Ford. Also a dead giveaway to it being a late model (49-53) flat head is the distributor coming out of the top right front of the motor. These are much easier to service than the earlier ones mounted down in front and driven directly off the front of the cam. The last rebuild on this motor also included Johnson adjustable lifters. Stock valve clearance had to be set by grinding the stem length (after the valve and seat was ground) to set the proper clearance. Very time consuming but once done, lasted quite a long time. Good video. Look forward to seeing complete rebuild.

[@skipabrams3809]

Lincoln had its own Flathead V8 that came to 337 cubic inches. They look nearly the same as the Ford / Merc engines. So you and the video are both right.

[@burlpage5260]

I saw a Ford video some years ago ,showing the assembly lines, from back in the day , but the most interesting part of the video , was the part where they showed a hill side out behind the building where Ford cast the Flathead blocks , and the whole hill side for as far as you could see where Flathead blocks laying on the ground in rust , the narrator said they guesstimated there were over a million Flatheads up on that hillside , They were trying to have them lay out in the weather for 10 yrs, before they brought them back in and cleaned them back up to assemble and use ! Narrator said they did this because the rust actually strengthened the block's !

[@09roushsupercharged26]

Ive been restoring my 46 Merc. Thnxs for all the great info!

[@txrick4879]

Always wanted to build a flathead . The have a sweet mellow sound .

[@joemiller6278]

I had one out of my 51 F1. Took me all of two weeks everyday after work to get it apart!

[@robertdelalande7734]

The flathead V8 is very sophisticated casting compared to earlier V8’s. Prior to the Ford, side valve V engines had the had the exhaust ports in the centre of the V. Ford managed to rout the exhaust through the block to exit on the outside. Easy with an OHV engine but not with a side valve engine.

[@jimlandreth555]

FLATHEADS FOREVER !

[@wolfeman6380]

Where's part 2??? Love this show can't wait to see this beast finished

[@2loco]

Yes I'm desperately looking for episodes 2.

[@Shane-Singleton]

Nothing sounds like a flathead. Can't wait to hear you guys fire this thing up. What was that "red insulating varnish" you used in the lifter valley? I've seen a lot of back and fourth about the viability/durability of glyptal so was curious about this product.

[@police428]

I believe that is exactly what it is, or a variant of such. In my years of engine refreshing and rebuilding Chevy,Mopar and Ford engines. I saw no noticeable difference in oiling. But if doesn’t really hurt it either. So it’s really up to your opinion and your beliefs.

[@fredericksullivan7925]

Was hoping to see it finished, never mind was interesting.

[@vijaywaingankar8352]

Goodwork

[@colinevans7134]

Love your video

[@randombuilds8336]

The French did use the flathead in military trucks until the 90s, so even into the 2000s you could sometimes find a brand new 60 flathead in a crate.

[@trentonberry105]

That's pretty slick!

[@rwdplz1]

Love a good engine build

[@gentlemanzackp6591]

i was chillin with a friend, eric who owns a machine shop he had a lightbulb go off in his head and told me that he has a flathead in the back, so we both went, I havent really seen a flathead up close. its mind blowing how "backwards" cylinder heads were and. This one was from a 1933 Ford. Eric said by time hes done cleaning up, and flatening everything. the engine builder will try to make 230-250 out of this stock crate. of course, Eric had to balance crankshaft thoroughly for performance. (wasnt a standard thing in factory in 1933)

[@jaivette]

Engine power and muscle car best shows.

[@orlandostead8703]

Top tip for seized pistons is to pour boiling engine oil in the bores.

[@professorx7398]

Dear ole dad used to used gasoline mixed with transmission fluid to loose seized engines. You have to soak and incrementally turn it until it is free 👍💪😎

[@davidrobinson5943]

One of my favorite shows

[@lawrenceveinotte]

I'm building a 29 A pickup i'm planning to run a Merc crank flathead, i'm lucky i have a good friend with close to 100 flathead v8's, he pulls apart a couple a month, some can be saved, some can not, i'm not planning to do much work to the block and run stock heads, i'm having plates cnc cut to pressure test blocks this week, i'm thinking of running a turbo so it will breath fine, for a trans i have a 4l60 i'm building my own adapter for, should make a nice little daily driver, i work at a body shop but i'm leaving the body in rust with boiled linseed oil..lol

[@packingten]

I rode many miles in a flathead powered vehicle. Dad had a 49 Ford car 58/1959,We also had 1950 1-1/2 ton Ford truck. A 1953 Ford station wagon as a Family car. Not fast maybe but very reliable!.

[@jamesdorrill9933]

I’ve got one of those flathead V8 Ford engine’s it’s been under the shop for 40+ years still turns through

[@larryhutchens7593]

Always like watching an old engine being brought back from the dead. After WWII my dad drove trucks to haul grain from farm to the grainery. He said that the Chevy 261 & Jimmy 270 & 310 was a much better engine. The flathead would always overheat while going up a grade, the Chevy & Jimmy wouldn't. When the Chrysler Corp put the little 241 Hemi in the 54 Dodge it kind of put the final nail in the flathead * at Bonneville. It ran in the same class as the flathead, 239 ci. The hot flatheads would strain their guts out just trying to keep up with the modestly modified Hemi. They, the flatheads are interesting though.

[@glennd11r]

What a load of garbage.

[@branon6565]

There's no such thing as Garbage Motors manufactured engine that's "better" in any way, they're all junk...

[@larryhutchens7593]

@@glennd11r What in particular is garbage? My dad did drive trucks part time after the war, some Fords, some GMs, some IH. Ford flatheads would overheat because a large part of the exhaust manifold was in the water jacket & exhaust manifolds will run near red hot on a long hard pull. Dodge did make a 241 ci hemi in 54 & 55 and an ohv hemi head IS more efficient than any L-head engine. GMC did have 300+ ci engine. Dodge L-head 6 engines were either 215 or 230 ci but some larger trucks used a Continental I-6. International used an L-head 6, ci unknown. Even with a 2 speed rear axle the old Dodges were limited to about 45 or 50 mph loaded. 60 empty but the engine would really complain. I had one with a 230 engine & that is a fact. The Ford flathead was design in 1932 with it's one piece block but still it is 1932 technology.

[@jeanlawson9133]

I've always used an OTC cam tool that pull's the bearings in do you not like this type tool and why.... I never had issues with 😎 it...... especially on SBC. Awesome job by the way those flathead engine are unique very quiet in stock form..... I used to drive a 50 Ford it was almost like electric was under the hood....

[@Nickwillfixit]

Careful how you go the Lincoln flathead is very different in so many ways not just stroke exhaust manifold engine mounts fuel pump position. So which river did you dredge this engine from, or was it an anchor for one of the great lake wrecks.

[@olronholleran1310]

To remove the seats, just run a bead of weld around the seat and it will fall out. good luck. Gramps

[@TheMark9013]

Fingers crossed I'm building mine next week got it back from the machine shop

[@bmstylee]

So how did it go?

[@TheMark9013]

@@bmstylee crank and rod bearing are impossible to get called 7 shops and was on hold for 4 hours till I found some just got them in the mail

[@bmstylee]

@@TheMark9013 sounds like trying to buy primers and powder to load some rifle ammo. Almost impossible to find.

[@TheMark9013]

@@bmstylee on that I thought ahead XD

[@johnblecker4206]

The first engine that I worked on was a 49 ford flathead which we put Merc heads on for more compression.

[@mannys9130]

A thoroughly old school American engine made just a few years post-WW2 being hauled to the machine shop in a Japanese truck. 😸 "Am I a joke to you?" -The Flatty

[@quantumx9924]

Awesome.

[@siccicey9479]

what happened to the two guys who started the video? easily my favorite two hosts without a doubt. especially the one who did the valve job and machining stuff he is excellent.

[@perotekku]

Don't even need the casting numbers for the late model flatheads, head bolts instead of studs, and the older ones had bellhousings cast into the block

[@alk3myst]

That dip was awesome stuff. You could pay $200+ for a shop to do that same basic job.

[@leonardgilbreath9004]

My dad's 47 f1 was a great truck and remember riding in the back with the tail gate down riding on ot .

[@martinmarley3372]

Where is part 2 I was feally enjoying watching this

[@jeramiebradford1]

Fortunately that guy didn't break the crankshaft when he was twisting it with his bare hands!

[@carlwhite8225]

This Flathead is going to be cool.

[@jonhill9564]

Good show gents

[@baronoflivonia.3512]

I think you meant Mercury as longer stroke. I have a 41 Super Deluxe with a V8, like your vids a lot.

[@doughibbard8462]

Lincoln had the longer stroke, Mercury had a bigger crank journals. Mercury crank reground to Ford journal size, but off set gives a 1/4 inch longer stroke.

[@radtek2]

@@doughibbard8462 1950 Ford = 239cu.in, 3.1875 x 3.750 100 HP, 6.80:1 Compression Ratio 1950 Mercury = 255cu.in, 3.1875 x 4.000, 110 HP, 6.80:1 Compression Ratio

[@tonyrich7011]

Molasses with water is a great rust converter 3 Kg to 15L water and five weeks soaking.

[@collinklitz7434]

Almost 1M subs!

[@The2000chief]

Ever do a 4 Port Riley Flat Head ??? Are you interested in bringing one to life again in an all steel Model A Pickup?

[@AndyFromm]

Nice 👍