I love my Flathead, and with the fenton headers and Smitty mufflers 41phord is exactly right....it is WAY cool !! Here's a photo during the original build. Obviously the 12 Volt swap (alternator), the MSD Ignition etc. The build of this motor setup was expensive because to accomodate the MSD distributor I had to locate truck water pumps as they had the extended pulleys to allow the fan belt clearance etc. Basically, if you're going to go this way on a flatty. Plan for extra expense.



On the other hand, now I'm cutting out the original front cross member, I have to cut the original firewall out and install (in my case) a 4" recessed firewall to accomadate the 302 (most say a 2" recess is enough). The I'm putting in a new front cross member, IFS and power rack and pinion.

So either way you go....It's not cheap.

And YES....the flatty, drop axle, split wishbones, C-4 and rearend are Pink. And the new 302 will be .....Pink !

 

While the 302 will out rev the flatty V8, the flatty has and can generate an incredible amount of torque.that on the street will blow the doors off of most "modern engines". In terms of reliability, they were designed like tanks...they can run literally on kerosene if you had too. In terms of capabilities, back in 1949 my dad built and ran a 1948 merc flatty at El Mirage....149 mph in a coupe, in 1955 the same engine was run in a belly tank streamliner (Stecker Brothers) and turned 211 mph....he had another one that in the late 40's turned 134 at Lion's drag (1/4 mile)......

He still has one of his coupes with the fast flatty (detuned) in it, I will say this.....having driven and work on them (for the past 40+ years), they are/can be brutally fast no matter what any book writer expert will say, they are driven different because the hp is typically lower by comparision but the tq is incredible.....means the gears need to be tall by comparison (dad use to run 3:55's for the 1/4 mile as an example)...and he is running 3:55's presently.......in terms of accel, (now mind you his is hopped up) there is not difference between 1st & 2nd gear (running a 3 speed with High Zepher gears)...and 3rd, well, you could take off from a stop if you wanted too, downshifting, never required.....

 

After hearing from several members, I've decided, for now, that I will try to go with a 49 and later flathead, since ther is an aftermarket bell housing available to mount a T-5 to it. I like the style of the old flattie, painted, with aluminum heads, then sanded so the fins show as polished. I'll probably go with the MSD ignition, and I've seen a kit to mount power steering to it. Since one of the trucks is missing the front suspension anyway, I will probably go with an IFS kit. I know some members will consider this "dark side", but I think it really does come down to personal choice. And, after all, the one truck is missing some of the parts anyway, so that would be a good time to upgrade. I will, however, be saving all the parts I don't use, so that if a "purist" comes along and wants to save one more example, I would be more than happy to defer to one whose restoration skills would be better than mine. I know these parts are kind of rare, and would hate to throw anything useful away! At any rate, this will all be down the road a ways, probably after the kids are out of the house.

 

My 1940 had a flathead needing a rebuild. It would cost about $6,000.00 to do that, way too expensive. A new edelbrock intake alone costs 1500, for that price I got a 1968 mustang 302 and a c4 rebuilt.

also, I found speedway motors has engine mounts and bumpers that work well, they mount to front heads in exact same location which allows you to use the flathead original mounting locations. no welding.

Also got an alternator bracket from march ($60) and a 90 degree water neck ($12, oreilly), with an a/c bracket ($90) from nostalgic air parts, and a cvf racing wp pulley ($80), summit electric fuel pump ($70) and you have a modern setup.

used a 1968 mustang radiator to match, etc... 2 bbl carb off ebay ($75).. parts on ebay are plentiful.

the only way I would keep the flathead is if it was already running well or you had a VERY original car.. once you add up all the extra flathead upgrades it is not worth it for twice as much money and half the power.

best of luck,
mpr