Hey everyone- I've been asking others for input regarding their experiences of daily driving a flathead in today's environment. I have an older Ford 1/2 ton, with a flathead, and have been wondering about several issues:

Does overheating tend to be an issue in city traffic?
Is there enough horsepower and acceleration to not be a hazard in traffic? What about fuel mileage?
Does the flathead require a lot of maintenance to keep it running?
Are there aftermarket kits that will mount things like power-steering or A/C compressors?

Basically, tell me about how your flathead behaves on a daily/weekly basis. Thanks for the info. Any help is appreciated!

 

overheating ??? nope i sat inline in many a show parade and parades with my 53 with a leaking head gasket and the flatty ran perfect while lot's 'o' six figure cars were being pushed out of the way from it . fuel mileage ... in my truck (the 53 ) IT SUCKED !!! 8-8.5 average , but it has a hellacious set of gears in it . the 52 customline . 20 in town , and a little more than that on the road , due to it having a mid 3 gear and a standard 3 speed , no overdrive . kits for ac and such exist just check some of the rod shop sites , mid fifties etc. acceleration . more than acceptable and it's even better in the 52 over the 53 , dunno why but it is . my 53 gave my son in laws 2000 gmc 1/2 ton a run for it's money through 2nd and 3rd ( heavy 4 speed don't use 1st unless yer moving a planet or something simialar ) until i hit 4th and watched him disappear . in both cases in daily , and i abuse them daily when running , they do quite well and your not driving a sheoplemobile .after you get all the bugs worked out associated with a 60 plus year old vehicle there good to go . suggestion , lose the oe carb , go with electronic ignition too . working on 'em is easy . you ever work on a briggs 3.5 horse mower ??? you have 8 cylinders instead of 1 that's the only difference .

 

During the show season, my truck gets driven many times a week. If you can afford the fuel, the engine has never given me issues. Once you get all the quirks out of the 60 year old vehicle, the matinence is not to bad for a daily driver.

 

I used to drive my truck to work, but usually not at peak rush hour. I avoided a road that was a nightmare, speed limit 60 and jam-packed, but that meant taking a secondary road that was speed limit 35 and packed, long lines at lights, etc. Even in 90 deg. weather I've never had temperature problems, but I had my radiator rebuilt before driving it, and I cleaned out the block very thoroughly, too. I also run a shroud, but have the 3-blade fan off a car.

Not having a synchro 1st can be an issue at times in stop'n'go traffic. Gas mileage about 13 - 15 under those circumstances.

With 12v electrics, and electronic ignition, I have not done anything but oil changes for 4 years. My engine is pretty tired, and will get a rebuild soon.

If you want to use it for commuting, go thru the whole drivetrain FIRST -- brakes, clutch, etc.

 

never a issue with mine drive it just about everyday weather permiting nothing starts like a good running flatty

 

My 53 f100 is mostly stock (planning on a t5 soon) with a flathead and I have had no issues. With overheating just get your radiator checked and make sure you thermostats and water pumps are working is the only thing to check. Also like a regular vehicle regular oil changes, tune ups, and stuff of that related nature you should be fine.

The only downside is the top speed of 60-65 mph which an overdrive can fix the top speed and get better mpg.

 

I'm also thinking a T-5 is the way to go. I see that Speedway Motors sells a bellhousing kit to adapt one to the flathead. I'm guessing that the overall length is increased, so the shifter will require the use of bucket seats instead of the bench. Does anyone know if the shift lever can be changed out for one that fits different?

 

If you use a t-5 out of an s-10 the shifter is far enough forward that it will clear the bench seat.

 

my 54 flatty has helped feed me by working for her keep ..plowed snow ..for2 days .. hauled gravel ..and sand .. runs to the garbage dump ..still all stock points ..and a carb fixed with J-B weld ..you will be fine .. enjoy ..

 

Agreed, I drove mine to death for 10 years, with only minor repairs, gas, tires, oil, brakes, points etc, ie normal wear items. If everything is mechanically like it should be you can take them anywhere up to about 55 -60mph in the stock condition. I also have a bone stock Ford Model A and I drive it also with out any problems. My 52 F1 drives like a high powered Cadillac by comparison.

My Flat head finalyl let go so I now have the truck torn apart for a full body off restoration, going with disc brakes, 302, AOD, A/C but keeping stock suspension and steering. I figured since I was spending the money I would update it some. I guess I have been listening to to many "Dark Siders" However I like and appreciate both sides of the argument.

 

I forgot to include I have almost daily driven my 53 flathead 2 years out of 3 years ownership.

 

Drove them as daily drivers back when. I drove my carbed and cammed 52 Mercury HT without a fan with no overheating problems. Of course, we did not have traffic jams then and I timed my stops.

 

If you get all the bugs worked out they are great running engines. But sometimes if you don't know what your doing or you get ahold of a flat head that has had someone working on it that didn't then that if can turn into a very BIG IF!!

 

well think about it this way theres stock flatheads still runing 60 years later that sounds pretty reliable to me and if they do bust you can fix them yourself with out a it degree