I am a complete Flathead newbie, so...

[havi]

this is where I present my self as a proud owner of a flathead...finally. First thing I'd like to do is see if the engine will rotate. Which direction should I spin the crank? The PO says he filled the whole engine up with oil 14 years ago. It is an 8BA. I want to keep the engine original looking, yet run it 12v neg. ground. Is there an alternator that looks identical to the generator? would my local NAPA carry a rebuild gasket set? Is there any books out there that are good for rebuilding these things? Does the Pertronix ignitor work well on these?

[mtflat]

Congratulations on seeing the light and welcome to the brotherhood! Ask away - if we don't know the answer we know where to find it.

Rotation is the same as other Ford engines - clockwise when standing at the front.

I run mine on 12V but with a generator. Google for alternators in generator cases or ask on the various flathead forums.

http://fordbarn.com/ - many of the guys lean toward restorations

http://groups.msn.com/FordFlathead19...pgmarket=en-us - restorations/customs/cars/trucks/oddities are all welcome as long as the power is flathead


NAPA carries all the gaskets you'll need.

Rebuilding book that most like is available on ebay or amazon - Frank Oddo's "Ford Flathead V8 Builder's Handbook 1932-1953"

I still run the stock ignition, but Pertronix would be my 1st choice based on what I've read, followed by the MSD system for more bucks.

[havi]

Thanks a bunch. I joined the msn flathead forum last night, so... Waiting on a little better weather now.

[mtflat]

I think you'll like the msn flathead forum. It's my favorite and the info you'll get there is top notch without attitudes. I've been hanging out with that bunch of guys for as long as I've been around FTE. I've also had the privilege of meeting several of them in person and each one is super.

There's also a Yahoo flathead group run by Bill Boogaart. It's pretty good too.

Weather? It's been snowing here almost every day for the past month. I needed 6 more months of summer to get caught up - but didn't make it.

Enjoy that flathead - the first time it fires up you'll get a big stupid grin on your face that won't go away..........
Tim

[Mo52Merc]

Seems to me that I saw a setup somewhere that would convert the generator to an alternator by removing/replacing the guts with new parts that all fit inside the housing and still looked stock. Let me see if I can find the magazine.

[Mo52Merc]

Well I found a "power converter" in obsolete ford parts magazine which I think is now called classic auto parts or something but I can't seem to find the thing I was looking for. I'm sure someone else can help you though.

[Kazoo]

Try Speedway for your alternater. Believe it was there I saw an Alternater that looked like a stock generater. The price was quite high if I remember correctly.

[Snowking]

Am I the only one curious to plans if this motor is runable once again?

[rcav8or]

Originally Posted by Snowking

Am I the only one curious to plans if this motor is runable once again?

Does it matter, as long as it doesn't go in a Chubby??



Knowing Havi, it's going to be very strangely wierd, no matter WHAT it is!

Welcome to the "Light Side", Havi! We don' need no stinkin' cookies, we gots cake!!

R

[havi]

Thanks guys.

I got the title transferred today (yippee). Nothing too dramatic here. The engine will stay in the current truck...................................For now.

[rcav8or]

Wow, and pics, already!!! Gotta love it!

"Once you've gone flat, you'll never go back!!"

Oh yeah, PERFECT hood!!

R

[havi]

Originally Posted by rcav8or

Wow, and pics, already!!! Gotta love it!

"Once you've gone flat, you'll never go back!!"

Oh yeah, PERFECT hood!!

R

LOL. I'm going to the JY the day I get out of work on time. (These shift and halfs are starting to wear me out). But the local yard has about 3 or 4 trucks of the 48-52 era. Also a couple 53's and the '56 I posted in my darksider gallery. I'll have to look through those pics again and see if they have a good hood, now that I think of it.....nope, no hoods in the pics.

[55 f350]

you guys were supposed to tell him that they're troublesome pains in the posterior and get him to divulge the location so one of us could go get it ! geez . welcome havi you're gonna love that lil flatty .

[rcav8or]

Originally Posted by havi

I'll have to look through those pics again and see if they have a good hood, now that I think of it.....nope, no hoods in the pics.

Havi - I was funnin' you! Poking fun at the "far-from-perfect" hood! Especially since the threads on "worth" - you ought to get a gazillion dollars for that one on ebay! "Slight imperfections"...





R

[havi]

I know, lol. I'm gonna stand the hood on end and find the balance point. Then I'll weld a little block at that point on the bottom to hold it there. Then sell it as art. make millions.

I went to the JY, they had 1 1949 that's pretty well stripped clean with the rest of it totally rusted away. The 1951/52 is still out back, but no rear bumper or bed....hood is different of course, and there's a 1953 and 1955 both without beds sitting together, and the 1956 with the chrome grill is still there buried under the structural steel that fell on it. Everything else of these years is gone. He's been on a crushing spree again. He still hangs onto the older iron, though, so if there's anything anyone is looking for, I can look.....some of which I know off the top of my head what's still there. Still a few 50's and 60's cars, but this is Northeastern MN, so rust is imminent (sp).