I have a chance to buy a running flathead with no known problems. It doesn't use oil, it doesn't run hot. It is 30 over. stock cam, crank is ground 10 and 10?
motor includes 2yr old edelbrock heads, no pumps, no intake (I already have both). I watched it run in the car tonight. He wants $900...... He also has an other motor that has been gone over... cleaned, magnafluxed, bored, balanced ect. it needs a cam, lifters, valves, pumps and intake but also comes with Edelbrock heads. He wants $2000. Due to some what of a budget i am leaning towards the one I saw running, or do I suck it up and pay the extra $ for the one that should be all but brand new. Either way I would like to go with an electronic ignition and or an isky cam. Or do I really suck it up and buy both and try to sell one for a little profit to cover the cost of finishing one of them. Please give me your opinions.

 

I would say it depends on what you really want, and what you want to do with it, but it seems to me the running engine with the edel heads for $900 is a good deal. That's almost like buying the heads and getting a good engine for free. That $2000 engine needs another grand thrown into it to make it a runner. You won't be able to get your money back out of that, I don't think.


my 2c.

 

You will also need to buy the two water pumps for trucks. The car water pumps mount different than the truck ones

 

Honestly, I don't think the extra ~20 HP the fancy engine would give you will make your truck a racer. If the one is running and is as you describe it, I think the $900 is a fair price.

Edit: I'm a little confused, are you saying it was running in the car with no water pumps? or is he keeping the WPs and intake? and if it includes Edelbrock heads for $900 that is a darn good deal.

 

The one for $900 and edelbrock heads sounds like a real good deal to me. How long ago was it rebuilt? (the running one).

PS: It would cost me $2500 for a "stock" rebuild on my flatty around where I live.

 

And a set of Edelbrock heads is near $600... with stud conversion even more.

 

thanks for the input. I bought the running motor with the edelbrock heads for $850. I will be using my water pumps, Fenton 2x2 intake, and Fenton headers.
Looking at a cam and electronic ignition. Any suggestions? The motor already has ajustable lifters, do I need to change those as well when I put the cam in?

 

Good deal! You're good with the adjustables on any cam, but why change it? For truck use not many coms will make a lot more power without a big gas penalty.

I can tell you from personal experience, if you use the stock steering column, Fentons WILL NOT clear the box, unless you do some dramatic machine work.

Heartily recommend you get an MSD ready-to-run dizzy. I'd use the money a cam would cost you for a gear-reduction starter, it's as big an improvement as an alternator is compared to a generator.

 

I have already modified my frame by moving the steering box out 3/8 of an inch. I already have run this set up but found a crack in my block over the weekend. Didn't think I would get this lucky to find a good replacement motor so fast. Do you really think a cam isn't worth putting in?

 

With a new cam, you always want to use new lifters. Lifters and lobes wear in together. Used lifters will eat up a new cam.

The best deal on a 8BA MSD dizzy is form this guy on ebay. I just picked up one for myself. His price is about $75-95 cheaper than any price I found.

MSD 8573 Read to run distributor 1949-53 Ford flathead | eBay

 

What 52 Merc said. You would have to buy new lifters with the new cam, which I can't think how much they are off the top of my head but I know they are not cheap. I'm thinking if the engine runs good the way it is now with the stock cam plus the heads and headers giving it a boost, it would be a fun driver. Something else to think about is with a bigger cam is it may require you to run a better cooling system maybe. What ever you choose, it will be sweet just because its a flathead.