Got to ride in a '32 Ford Duece Coupe w/ I think the guy said a 239 cid Mercury flathed w/ Edelbrock heads and Duece Carburetors. Are these motors so popular simply because the nostalgia? A '60s or newer V8 even the smoged mid '70s ones would kill one of these. Even if it's worth less, I would take one with a 289,302,351W any day over a flathead.

 

Flatheads need more work than a later model to be able to keep up. A lot of it has to do with nostalgia. I'm putting a flathead in one of my '46 pickups because they are a great looking motor, not because they are fast. I'm not building this truck to go fast or anything. For my go fast truck, I'm dropping in a Ford small block and AOD. When the Chevy V8 hit the market in the mid 50's the flathead died as the favorite, the Chevy V8 was able to perform better, run faster, and make more power. Flatheads are cool, unique looking motors, especially in the field today filled with the usual Chevy 350/350 combo (boy I'm tired of seeing those things), but fact is, most later overheads will outperform a flattie.

 

The real question is what is fast? Or what is underpowered? I do top out at about 50mph in my 48 F-5 dump weighing in at almost 7000lbs. I think a car should do 70 with ease, does everyone take their old car at run around at 70+mph all the time? Most of the time I see most of these vehicles sitting in garage, trailer, or at a show, which always makes me laugh at the "necessity" of the 350/350 combo for driving....when there isn't a lot of driving going on....

 

If you have to ask, you'll probably never understand.

 

"If you have to ask, you'll probably never understand"

Prexactly what Tim said!!!

 

Amen Tim! ...Terry

 

My mistake, I missed the post where you regularly drag race your $30,000+ restoration 1932 Ford Victoria....

 

It ain't a Vickie, but
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthre...=&fpart=3&vc=1

 

The flathead experience is the sight, the sound, and the smell. I love it because I grew up with it, and it reminds me of my father. a 289, 302, or 351 do none of that for me.

If I bolted in a Gen VI crate engine, I could scoff at all the 289, 302, and 351 powered trucks, asking "who would want to run that obsolete junk?"

The flatheads can be made to go fast. There is an 8.8 second flathead dragster closing on ebay today: 2488098111

 

This is a hard core flatheader (FORD in a CHEVY)

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=52780&width=1

 

I spotted an Ardun flathead built on a 59 AB block on ebay. Bidding is currently at $25K. Auction: 2488465030 Check out the photos.

 

I just picked up a 50 Mercury w/the ole Flat 8 in it. Its pretty much all original, and the first thing my buddy told me to do was drop in a 350 or 351. I lauged, he told me its all about RPM's etc etc, how could anyone want an all original old car. I let him go on and on, laughed and shrugged it off. I think "If you have to ask, you'll probably never understand", states it perfectly.

 

Keep them Flat.

I'm over in Erie, PA, bunch of us Flatmotor Geezers/Gearheads are tryin to put something together for late next summer. If your interested send me an e-mail and I'll put ya on the list.

 

Did you ever get my email?