What To Look For When Buying and Building A Ford Flathead - Hot Rod Engines 101

[@dallasblair5939]

Matt, as a school Principal for 20 years, I would have hired you in a heart beat to teach in my building,,,I am an old man,,,,but I recognize a good person and a good teacher,,,,Thanks for your presentations, You are smart and are a kind person to all people,,,,The world needs more Matts in the world...Thanks,

[@andrewevans1658]

As a machine shop owner I totally agree with you Matt!! Thanks for pointing out out the cracked oil pan rails, typically easy to fix but often overlooked. The only thing I would add is if the main caps are missing(on any core block) walk away! That is just another costly repair. I would also recommend that people carry a caliper with them to check bore size to make sure it hasn't already been bored several times, because 8 sleeves & installation is also spendy.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Great tips Andrew! I knew I’d forget some stuff!

[@mattkaustickomments]

Your words of advice on “Don’t buy into the myth” holds true across all types of collector cars and especially performance cars. In the Classic Cougar and Mustang world, there’s always some dumbass trying to tell you/ sell you that his car has a ‘Boss 302’ when it’s a run-of-the-mill 302. It’s also so easy to buy scoops, spoilers and decals to make your standard coupe into some hot model. A running joke in the Camaro world is how there are more SS’s today than Chevy originally built back in the day! But most scammers are too lazy to go the extra mile. For instance, real Cougar Eliminators have staggered rear shocks - nobody goes that extra mile when making a clone. Knowledge is Power! Thanks for educating folks in the flathead neck of the woods, Matt! Btw, I have no problem with clones and tribute cars, just as long as the owner is honest about it.

[@AndyGeesGarage]

Haha! Yep I had some mook argue with me that the finned aluminum valve covers on his basic 302 made it a Boss 🤦‍♂️

[@joegarage6132]

Ok, I'll date myself, in high school in the 70's, you could buy any SS, hood, trim to make a stock camaro anything you wanted, with GM parts. We all had z28's , ss and what ever with a 327, 307 motors. I laugh at the price of those cars because we beat them up, doing the cop move in reverse then flipping around was my a buddies best move in his z28 327 auto..lol always let the buyer beware

[@dalemarshall4878]

Or how every SBC is out of a Corvette. I imagine a junkyard full of engineless Vettes somewhere. 😏

[@joegarage6132]

@@dalemarshall4878 Funny you should say that, In 72 when I bought a 56 2door post the guy told me that the 327 was our of a corvette, so they have been doing that for a long time. It ran good, $400 running missing a hood, door window, front bumper, a little bit of fender damage, those were the days.

[@kristofftaylovoski60]

I suspect this is why those hated and maligned "ma and pa" "4 door with the post" shoe box Chevys with honest 283's are getting to be so damn respectable and unapproachable. All the two door stuff has been turded over so severely.

[@rustbucketranch]

As someone who finds flatheads very appealing yet is rather clueless about them, I find this very helpful!

[@frogman8591]

That was the best overview on flathead I have ever seen. In 1957 (I was 16 ) I bought a 1936 3 window cope for $25 and put a dual manifold with chrome carbs on it. It may have been a Weiland manifold. The carbs were not the desired Stromberg-s. The generator was in front of them. Not the better arrangement with the generator offset. It was not fast but sounded great when you floored it. My next car was a 1951 Ford convertible , white, contenentail kit, balanced engine, pressure plate and water pumps with a spotlight. It cost $320 in 1955 at the Miami, Florida dealers auction. For a while I had a 59AB engine, 3 3/8 x 4 1/4 (304 c.i. ? ). It was full race specs with a Zephyr geared 1939 floor shift trannie. I got my hands on a McCollugh supercharger for it but was missing the crankshaft pulley, it cost $50 and I got the engine for a 1954 ohv Ford v8 that I paid $25 for. I lost all that stuff when I joined the Army My next car was a 1953 Olds coup with a stick shift ( pretty rare )..I traded it for a project car, a 1953 Ford cope with a 1955 Chrysler 331 ci Hemi adapted to the Ford 3 speed trans. It was wicked fast and I have a million stories of racing it in Miami in 1960. Seven years later I had a 427, 1964 Galaxie that I don't remember racing at all.

[@radtek2]

I am a real old hotrodder almost 76 now. Flatheads hold a special place in my heart. My Dad owned a Wrecking yard/Garage as we called them out west and then sold that and had a 2 bay garage/service station. I worked and learned from him from 14 years old till I left for the service at 19. Flatheads are where I first started as they were everywhere and cheap. They are like your first girl friend, ya never forget them. I started just mildly hot-rodding them to going as far as a kid (17) could do at the time (my last Flathead) a 286 cu in, Isky cam, Eldelbrock Heads, Mag spark ign. Dual Carbs etc, the usual stuff then, put in a 49 Ford Coupe....I miss those early days. The advice you gave here is very good stuff especially today with the rareness of the flatties. It not like in my day where you could go into any junk yard and sort through dozen of them till you found a good one for $25.

[@killroywashere1254]

I am one of those old hotrodder. 80 years old!! Ever hear of a TEMPLE FLAT HEAD??

[@radtek2]

@@killroywashere1254 I have heard of a Noel Temple read about him somewhere and that he built some really fast flatheads in his day. Back when I was doing flatheads it was around 1961 to 63 and only knew the local guys here in Tacoma WA.

[@Fjant]

Wow this video came just about right in time. I’m off to pick up my first flathead V8 tomorrow. And yes it is a complete running engine. It will be fitted in my first hot rod, a T-bodied model A. I have watched your videos ever since you started the coupe build at the Eastwood Chanel and you are an big inspiration! Thanks from sweden.

[@tonycarter669]

Very well done love it I'm 53 years old was raised by an old hot rodder and you did a fantastic job

[@HansFormerlyTraffer]

Perhaps your best video to date. Thanks for helping out budding flathead-philes. You are expanding the hobby.

[@wayneforbes7671]

Good job Matt. Hit the nail on the head. This series is exactly what is needed to get us newbies, read me, going. Thanks in advance for all your doing and going to do for this hobby. Wayno

[@craigcaggiano431]

Thanks Matt, one of your best videos to help us out when trying to figure out what flat-head engine to purchase

[@charlesherrick7400]

Good start on what sounds like a great series coming.

[@richs7362]

I ran into the buying a flathead dilemma when the flatty in my 40 spun a bearing with the associated carnage on the freeway. Still ran though just very rough & noisy. The motor was not really rebuildable, shopped around found a lot of those ran great when pulled stories and ... cracks!...I don't think so comments. Ended up getting a short block built for me from H&H Flatheads. Easy no worries got the engine added a full flow oil system and ccv system bolted my old parts on and I was on my way! Zero problems!

[@hotrodmyk]

Great tutorial on the basics. A good review for some of us and a good intro for others. Thanks!

[@geofo60]

That was an amazing intro’ to flatheads Matt. You had my attention from beginning to end. Look forward to seeing & hearing more. Regards from the U.K. 🇬🇧

[@michaelyergin2437]

Such a great video! I also cant get over how photogenic this garage is. Literally every wall is a work of art.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thank you!!

[@ninobeans51]

I bought the Nostalgia book by Ron Holleran a few years ago and you can really easily get overwhelmed with all if the information, old crazy secrets, and 'folklore' surrounding these engines. Thanks for the video Matt!

[@AwkwardFarmer]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my Dad's '39 Ford Deluxe Fordor. Running when parked in the late 60's early 70's and kept intact and mostly under cover since. This is very helpful. I liked the 1939 Forgotten Hot Rod series too. Thank you!

[@deuceman32]

Kudos for this. That was a lot of great info jammed into 28 minutes, not an easy task.

[@672egalaxie6]

Excellent job Matt. Thanks fer takin' us along...

[@johnelliott7375]

I am in love with the lady car from Michigan and you're customizing it back to traditional way. Thanks for your time and help with this video!

[@rayk9315]

Hey Matt: Even tho you just brushed the surface ,there was a lot of good information for us to take in.Looking forward to the next video.

[@martinlinning5022]

Wow Matt just always the best content. Thanks for keeping me motivated. 👍🏼

[@robertstuhr5436]

Really great video with outstanding information. I'm looking at putting a flathead with '39 trans into my model A coupe for a build I will be starting soon and this is very timely info. Thanks !

[@stephenjones1833]

You're a great communicator, Matt! I like your realism and good humor. Carry on, sir.

[@mattsommer1243]

Nice overview, Matt. Great job de-bunking the myth of “flathead gold” that you always hear when buying these things

[@BigTex347]

Great video - and very timely! I bought a running flathead for my 1931 Model A Roadster. I hope to have this project done this summer. Thanks for all the information in this video - It helped me in knowing what to look for before I bough this engine.

[@richardt2k1]

This may just be one of my favorite videos. Thank you Matt. A+. 👍

[@michaelvanwinkle7919]

I share your fondness for the Ford Flathead. Thank You for doing a video on them.

[@timothynewkirk2654]

Important series TY! I think the Blackie Car is over the top RAD! Have fun Matt! ...Newk from Kentucky

[@lawrencecarberry1399]

good job matt iam running a48 ford f1 with a 255cubic merc cant beat the sound of a good running flathead

[@Jddvs]

Great information and hot rod history. Thanks for posting!

[@ervingoertzen7233]

Back in the day my dad had flathead powered rods, always preferred 49, or early 50 Merc engines . Said they were the best !

[@markmccabe934]

I had the pleasure of meeting Andy Granatelli at Bonneville... {1999 or 2000?} I told him I had a set of Grancor heads and tri-carb but I questioned the originality because of poor quality but he assured me that they were more than likely original because of the lack of speed parts in the Midwest that they made molds from other aftermarket parts with their own modifications to sell under the Grancor name! He shared with me that "They weren't the best quality but they were available and worked good at a reasonable cost" and that They had issues with porous castings and that they got pretty thin if you polished them up! I did sell them for a lot of money to a builder in Wisconsin and replaced those parts with better quality Offenhauser parts!

[@steves8014]

Great info, and nice to see a younger guy dedicated to flatheads. I'm looking for a 1947 pickup and these are so different I don't know what I don't know--passion without knowledge is dangerous. I've also discovered someone knowledgeable an easy day trip away. Back in the last price mania I met a guy at Carlisle who asked how to tell a real LT1 Corvette. I rattled off a list of dead giveaways, and he moaned that he just paid cash for one, the guy left, and he's sure it's not a real one. Thanks for educating!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Happy to help. Thanks for watching!

[@_Peremalfait]

The Free-T's flathead is one of the most beautiful engines I've seen. There's something about the looks of a flathead that you can't get from any other engine.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Flatheads look perfect was dressed up!!

[@jamessheets9205]

One word HEMI. :D

[@michaelwillette5738]

Great info Matt. You mention the water pump positions but not why. Knowing this is not a tell all on these engines. I might add that an issue, especially out west was the pump locations tended to create a low pressure inside the block and heads Ford being from the Midwest was more concerned with getting heat into not out of the engine. Overheating was always an issue. Moving the pumps to the bottom (50-53?) reduced but never totally solved this. All because Ford adapted the model A four cylinder design hense the split cooling system and exhaust routing. This might be of use to someone looking to drive distances out west.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Great info thanks for sharing!

[@motorv8N]

Fantastic session Matt - thanks a ton. You’ve dispelled some of the myths and confusion I’ve been trying to wade through. Thinking of a flathead swap in my ‘49 Willys CJ3a...... Sounds nuts but if you think about it...a dirt simple platform, no doors or a roof, leaf springs front and back, came with a flathead four-banger....the thing is 90 percent hot rod already. 😜 Just need an overdrive and a vintage motor that can get out of its own way. Seems to me shoe-horning in a little Ford from the same era with some speed goodies bolted on top would be tons of fun in a light little tin can like the Willys. 😎

[@IronTrapGarage]

That sounds like a hoot to drive; we approve! Thanks for watching!

[@frankjamann5671]

Love that knowledge, thanks Matt for the video

[@dougwebb6193]

This series is a super idea!!

[@mick_1949]

Thats great knowledge matt. Very cool 👍

[@TheMot616]

This was a premium information video. Great job.

[@chrishay8385]

Great craftsmanship a great looking T nailed the proportions! Lovely job matt

[@robertjean659]

Great video, lot of interesting info. Look forward to this series.

[@frogman8591]

I collected flathead speed equipment in Miami in around 1958. You could get a dual carb or a 4 barrel manifold for $25 including the carb or carbs. Used aluminum heads were $25 too, but they were always eroded inside even then. For $20 I got a column shift Lasalle trance with an adaptor to mount on an ohv Ford V8. I only put one of the manifolds to use but I took them to Tennessee in my trunk to show off on my summer vacation.

[@dougweink5860]

Great video, now you're breaking some sellers hearts haha

[@johnbehneman1546]

Great video Matt. I learned a lot!!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@jackphilly338]

Hey Matt very informative video on the flat head engines. 👍

[@dustinpenry132]

Good start for motor! You should try a banger motor build sometime... like a gow job project... while not as powerful as say a V8, the sound and economy are quite cool. There are replaceable bearing kits for the bangers.

[@paulpollack9262]

Just wondering, are the banger engines the same as were used in the Ford 8n tractors they built?

[@JamesDavis-to1hn]

I learned alot. Thanks for sharing. Great job!

[@XORBob]

Cool - this is so helpful. I'm thinking about buying a 32 truck. Its making me re-think the price as I don't really know much about the non-working engine. Thanks!

[@tonyshoe3131]

loved the video. I have a 1950 f1. i'm not much of a mechanic, but I did learn a lot of stuff in the last 28.29 minutes.

[@johnapel2856]

Another good basic primer. Thanks!

[@alterexistence483]

Answered my own question i asked on your last video by watching the flathead video 😂. Thank you Matt

[@jimsullivan2729]

Another great video Matt!

[@380.motorsports]

This is a great video and will be a great series. Like I told you the other day, your wealth of knowledge is of great interest to those of us who are just getting into these traditional hot rods. I may be old in years but am just a kid in flathead knowledge. The tip about pricing a flathead based on the parts attached to it is a great idea and one I never thought of. Makes sense. Thanks for this one (watched it twice already) and looking forward to future similar videos.

[@terrykeithley6183]

Thank you Matt very informative. I have 4 flatheads, an always looking for more. Stay safe regards to Kate an the kids, an Mike. Terry

[@kurtludwig4783]

Thanks Matt! Great series idea, enjoyed flathead facts!!

[@plumadore1]

Fantastic video! Thanks for taking the time to make and share it.

[@thomasst.martin3308]

Yes, it had something to do with what you talked about in buying used heads. I thought I could use more compression. Sometimes too much is too much. Expensive lesson.

[@836dmar]

Great info! Also there are some repro speed parts on the used market as well so not worth the same collector value. Bought an 8BA Eddie Meyer high rise with 2 Holleys. Looks killer but sure wish it was an original! Helps to know what has been repopped if “vintage” parts are baked into the sale or if a part was ever period-made for later engines, etc.

[@TrueNorthModels]

Great video and lot's of good information to get started. Cheers

[@mikesonneson2824]

I love no bullshite explanations of old school crap that is crap and caring less about the myths. Good honest opinions you put forth for those who weren't even a twinkle in their grandparents eyes yet. Enjoyed.

[@chevydyall7619]

Love your knowledge mate. The thing that always interested me in flathead was the aftermarket/speed equipment industry that popped up. Around heads or after market ohv conversion manifolds etc. Would love to see an episode on that. Surely im not the only one. Cheers

[@The46Ratrod]

Good lecture, professor Matt

[@grantfletcher3265]

Wow Thanks Man !!! That was AWESOME ...

[@davelewis2174]

I'm not a Flat head guy My Dad talked me out building one years ago " you'll spend a ton of money to make mabe 200 horsepower " He knew my need for speed .

[@MrJeep75]

Love the flat heads

[@steveratkaj6994]

Picked up my C59A flathead for CAN$100. It was in pieces, and I had no clue about how difficult it was to find one that was not a boat anchor. My machinist warned me about the cost to rebuild. I did a budget short block, and supplied most of parts. Still cost about CAN$3K for machine work. Long live the flathead!

[@willymccoy3427]

Great idea for a series! Any chance of one on the old big inline sixes that were ran in the 40s and 50s? The big GMCs and the like.

[@Paleoman52]

Good video Matt, very informative!

[@robertwayne2004]

Thanks for sharing a friend from Canada Rob ✌

[@johnsonsmywaygarage880]

I must’ve got lucky, just purchased about a month ago a crack free bare 8BA block. Now I am waiting a guy is going to clean his shop out and give me another cracked 8BA. That way I can get some of the standard parts off of that one. I call this flathead project “one piece at a time” I am just going to collect all the right stuff thru time as money allows.

[@johnelliott7375]

Also I found My matching 1933 Pennsylvania plates! Just found them while I was listening and watching the video, while I was in the garage cleaning up some.

[@davidgourdie3691]

The flathead range carried on in the french Simca vedette after the US versions finished in the early fifties.Apparently a reproduction run of these french blocks happened only a few years ago.No doubt they went for serious coin.

[@garycamara9955]

The Simca was a V8 60. The New French blocks are an 8BA.

[@garycamara9955]

$3500 for a french block that has the machine work done to remove the governor lump on the back of the engine. S F Flatheads had them, talk to Joe Fazio.

[@glennnickerson8438]

Shout out to Edsel Ford... If it wasn't for him standing up to the old man there would have been no flathead or the iconic styling of the V8 Ford's! Matt's video would have been: Let's see if we can get 30 hp out of this 4 banger!!!

[@hopingforthebest1.9]

Apparently they tried to originally make an x8 engine, that would be interesting

[@gerrymilidantri6457]

Excellent Video Matt very informative

[@johngrepo9976]

Matt, a real good start to a successful series. I'm certain that other people here wouldn't mind you "rambling", information is coming out of your mouth not nonsense. You're rambling would feel more like a club gathering. Think about that..

[@BrunoWiebelt]

very good concept thx

[@robertwayne4373]

Have a great thanks for sharing a friend from Canada Rob 🇨🇦

[@shanewright6958]

Great job and Another great video 👍👍🇨🇱

[@kenbudd1438]

Great video as always. I wish this was up before I made a purchase this past week. Anyone need a boat anchor?

[@johnhennery8820]

Thank you for your information on the flat head engine this is really helpful to me I always wondering how to check one out I love the look and sound of the flaty sounds so cool but I know I'll never have one but I always wonted one anyway thanks again for your help really awesome video

[@billyjohnson4011]

This was great. I learned a lot, very informative, but so glad there wasn’t a test at the end.

[@satudave]

Excellent video and information 👍👍

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you for the interesting and informative article ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you maybe doing next ! Doing well here in Kansas .

[@kristofftaylovoski60]

Good work on expose of the issues one might run into with flatheads.

[@nickhale1937]

Your videos are great on informing and helping on getting into hotrodding, thanks man! 👍 Perhaps you can make a video on inline flatheads like 6,and especially 8s! in which I like to do for my 37 hudson. I'm always looking for ideas and thoughts from the hotrodding community.

[@chrishunwicks4611]

Hi Matt and Mike good info video 👍🇬🇧

[@kenmantel6056]

Thank you for sharing your incredible knowledge and perspective.

[@jameswulzen590]

289B,s 24 studs, 49 Merc is the most possible 59 stamp, yes. had a wonderful time in the 60's.

[@walkersgarage1635]

Thank you, good stuff.

[@waynehayes8237]

Wow so much information. Thanks

[@jasonrackawack9369]

That Pete Henderson roadster is spot on perfect. I had no idea it was in eastern PA.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Cool vid Matt !!!!!!!!!! 👍👍👍

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Thanks Matt I have a set of heads for the 60 that has two spark plugs per cylinder and no fins some name is stamped or engraved but I can't make out what it says. Central California watching

[@Mercmad]

I have seen V860 heads ,most were for speedway racers and ran high compression for alky, from different manufacturers. The coolest were a set of Allard finned heads. And the strangest were a set of bronze castings that were in two pieces for use on boats.

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

@@Mercmad My dad used to race hydroplane with the 60s on alki so maybe

[@IronTrapGarage]

Those are very rare! Definitely off something wild ! I’ve seen a couple of them before but never owned any. Rare stuff for sure!

[@jeffkalte2929]

Thanks Matt

[@garycamara9955]

I have 3 5/16 x 4 flathead with a Cyclone 3x2 intake, Navarro heads, Winfield 1A cam and lakes headers in my roadster. My Daughter has a V8 60 in her T roadster, her boyfriend has a McCullough supercharged flathead in his 27 T.

[@johnelliott7375]

That truck that you have up in the stash cubby above your head, I have two of those with the original paint and all the parts.

[@slowshop]

Good video Matt! I'm a 4-banger guy but those V8s sure look good.