I'm a bit of a newby on flathead stuff, but since finding my Merc, I've developed more of an interest in them than I ever had. Most of my engine experience has been on 60's and 70's vintage small and large block stuff. So I really don't know what goes into building a good flattie, but I'm sure it's not cheap. So, my question is, is this engine on ebay, at $2800, a good deal, average, or should look elsewhere? Not that I'm going to be buying this one. Not really into shipping across country. But like I said, my curiosity is piqued and want to learn more. Thanks.

FORD FLATHEAD V8 1949-1953 8BA : eBay Motors (item 230430854557 end time Feb-05-10 15:31:26 PST)

 

sounds a bit high for me . hades i paid 2700 for my 53 and it ran . as far as what goes into a good flatty build shiete there seems to be as many opinions as you know whats out there . i like you had only messed with the small and large blocks until i got the 53 . ( now im frustrating and having fun tinkering with the 4.6 in my bird ) . mine is just out and out stock i think . previous owner claims it has a " small cam " , and she's got headers, and it's an 8ba . i had three early flatties , 2 24 studs and a 37 21 stud sitting here going to hades and i let 'em go to a fella really cheap to see 'em get used . i also had a 49 f4 that ran i had maybe 1000 in and sold it and it had an 8rt . be patient and i'd be pretty sure you'll find one reasonable . there's a fella here got all kinds of flatty stuff as he was going to build a traditional roadster or some such thing , now he's going to run a 429 as he's getting po'd trying to figure the flatty out . there so simple it seems to confuse peeps !!! if i see him i can ask what he's doing with 'em . as a side note i am pursuing a lead on a partially disassembled 50 with a running 8rt in it hiding in a garage somewhere around riverton for 900 bucks . the stuff is out there . drooll factor , reds headers and speed equipment , flathead jacks , uncommon engineeering ( this place made my privates tingle !!!!!!!!!!!! ) ,h&h , and speedway carries a lot of stuff for them . later , and don't let anyone give you any guff bout 'em not being reliable as i drove and will again , mine every dain day in all weather !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wayne,

Good machine work and engine building ain't cheap. You can typically expect to add 50% to the pricetag for a flattie - IF you can find a machinist that is familiar with them and their peculiarities. I'd always ask for references before pulling the trigger on something like that, but it certainly appears that the seller knew what he was doing and he went to the trouble to do all the typical flattie upgrades. IMHO, given that it's a long block, $2800 is a good deal for that engine.

Just for reference, I had $1000 worth of machine work done to the short block of a very mild 5.0L I built last spring. The only parts that included were the bearings. By the time I bought the rest of the parts, I had at least $1750 in just the short block - and that was with a lot of shopping, searching for deals, and doing the assembly myself. If I'd have paid retail on all the parts, it would have been $2000 easily. That flattie is already assembled and is complete with the valvetrain, heads, and manifold for an extra $800. If I was looking for a flattie, that one would be heading for my garage. IL is right next door for me, though. Shipping makes it a different animal.

 

About five years ago I bought what I was told was a completely rebuilt engine and chassis for $1500. From what I could tell the seller told me the truth and the truck runs great. When I told my neighbor what I paid for it he almost flipped because he was in the process of rebuilding the flattie in his '51 and had just paid $1500 just for the machining, he had $1000+ of the new parts in his garage waiting for him to assemble it. I think the $2800 is probably a pretty good deal, I'd do some thorough communication with the seller before handing over the money but this seller has good feedback. If I needed a flattie and had the bucks I'd jump on this. The guy is only about 1½ from my house.

 

I was thinking about doing a flathead in my truck at one time so i went to a guy who had been in engine rebuilding buisness for 30 years that was really good and reputable. He told me that the last "STOCK" rebuild on a flathead he did was 2500 bucks....stock. He even reused the same stock camshaft (regrinded it).

 

Some others for comparison:
276 Ford Flathead w/ Mercury crank Reman Engine : eBay Motors (item 170392608816 end time Feb-06-10 09:43:35 PST)


Ford Flathead 239 Reman Engine 1949-1953 : eBay Motors (item 170411401657 end time Feb-22-10 09:35:01 PST)

The ones here are by a known (to others, not me) reputable and experienced (like 40+ yrs) shop in KS. I'd say all these prices are not going to be beat unless you own a boring machine, etc. There are no cheap rebuilds any more, if you want OEM quality parts, for ANY engine -- price out the cost of a reman Honda 4-banger, or Toyota, ....

 

It's easy to drop 8500 to 20K on a custom built flatty so 2800 seems very resonable and another 500 for shipping and you still have a good deal. OR
you can buy my running 51 flathead for 500.

 

I would ask him for receipts for work or some type of warranty for it. Maybe something like 6 months just to be safe. Seems like a fairish price for something done and already collected.

With flatheads since the valves are in the block it makes it harder to find good blocks. You can buy a running flathead get it apart and find cracks. So for ease and a drop in deal I think its fair. Now if you want to hunt and try finding a motor and rebuilding it yourself that is an option to but you have to normally ship it off to a re builder who knows flatheads, wait for the block to be cleaned up, then assemble or have it assembled. The upside is you pick the parts and price can be lower or higher depending on how you go. So its all in what you want to do and what you are trying to do.

Flatheads are awesome though and have a very unique sounds just dont expect high horsepower lol.

 

Thanks for your input, guys!

Tell me if I've gone crazy. My Merc is very complete, but the engine has had the heads removed and sitting for who knows how many years. Probably at least 30+. The PO didn't know why the heads were taken off, so there's no way to know if what's left is even salvagable without a complete teardown. It's definitely seized good.

Now I've never been a big stocker kind of guy, but it seems like replacing the engine with another flattie might be an easier and quicker way to have something fun to drive, rather than doing a full drivetrain swap. The thing still rolls easy, the transmission (3 on the tree) shifts well when sitting, the clutch holds it on a hill.

I've been around enough to know they always need more than they seem, and maybe I'm just dreaming, but I can't help but think with a new engine, a little wiring (OK, a lot of wiring), some new fluids, brake & fuel system redo, I just could have a summer driver. Hmmmmm.....

 

You don't need a fully rebuilt flatty if you aren't going to depend on it for the daily grind. I took mine all apart to determine its condition, found some wear (cylinders tapered .009") but basically sound; good enough oil pressure, bearings good, some valves have more clearance than they should. With all new gaskets and all the gunk cleaned out, it does quite well. It has served me well for quite a while. HD74's $500 engine may be the compromise position -- get it on the road, see how you like it!

 

Quite true. I have no intention on making it a daily driver. Plus, play funds are a bit limited right now. I did send HD74 a PM already, though.

All I know is, the poor girl looks like she needs some serious love. Kinda like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. ;-)

 

I don't think I would give someone 2700 for an engine from e-bay, you should be able to get a running flathead for under 1000 and then start tinkering, as long as you are lucky enough to get one with a good block.
I spent over 3000 on mine at a local shop and then another 1500 on new parts to replace the poor quality parts he put in and countless hours working and cursing on it after it was suppose to be ready to go, you need to know exacly what is inside if you spend that kind of money. Then you add the carbs, headers and other accessories and I have stopped counting.

But look at what you end up with

 

I'm with Ross on this one, buy the $500 engine from HD74 and get the truck running.

Get some enjoyment into it. later on you can decide to either rebuild your original engine or rebuild the runner.

Enjoy the ride
Bobby

 

Hey 52 Merc, returned your PM. Thanks

 

+1 I always look at ebay with a grain of salt.