Hello everyone,
I am rebuilding the engine to my 1950 F2. It's the original 8ba Flat Head. I just finished stripping the engine apart. I want to have it bored out to run on modern gas. When I take it to a machine shop, what should I ask to have done??? Any good recomendations for machine shops in Orange County, CA?

 

HNH Flatheads: Ford Flathead rebuilding specialist these guys are the best anywere

 

Just gave them a call, $3,500 for a complete rebuild. Is that a average price for a full rebuild?

 

What's a full rebuild? Depends what they include; new cam? valve job with original lifters, or with new adjustable lifters? All new valves or are some of them re-usable?

Boring cylinders doesn't have anything to do with modern gas, it is to address wear in the engine. Hardened valve seats may need to be replaced but nothing else has to do with gas.

I just had a good running, but worn, flat V8 engine rebuilt; bored, valve job, no new valves, new adjustable lifters, crankshaft ground and new bearings throughout, plus balancing. Cost was $2300. A shop that does a lot of flatheads did the work.

 

I haven't taken the block to them, but the quote was for all new parts.
<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="97%" align="center"><tbody><tr vAlign="top"><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">This is what was posted on their site.</td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="25%" align="left">


</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">LIFTER BOSS'S DRILLED</td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="25%" align="left">NEW RINGS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">BLOCK BORED & HONED</td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="25%" align="left">NEW ROD BEARINGS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">RESURFACE (3 SIDES)</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW MAIN BEARINGS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">VALVE SEATS - INTAKE & EXHAUST</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW CAM BEARINGS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">GRIND SEATS</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW PIN BUSHINGS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">MAIN BORE ALIGNMENT</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW ALUM. CAM GEAR</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">INSTALL NEW CAM BEARING

</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW CRANK GEAR</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">RESIZE CON RODS</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW MANLEY STAINLESS VALVES</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">PIN FIT CON RODS</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW ISKY SPRINGS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">ALIGN CON RODS</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW GUIDE RETAINERS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">REGRIND CRANKS</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW SPRING RETAINERS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">REGRIND CAM</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW KEEPERS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">R & R GALLEY PLUG</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW GUIDE SEALS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">LIFTER BORES HONED</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW ADJ. LIFTERS</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">PRESSURE TESTED & SEAL </td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">- HOLLOW BODY -</td></tr><tr><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="10" align="center"></td><td height="30" vAlign="top" width="75%">BALANCE ENGINE ASSEMBLY</td><td height="30" width="25%" align="left">NEW ARP ROD NUTS</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

That's what I'd expect for $3500. Most of that is not necessary for a street driven, everyday driver flathead (ARP rod nuts, reground cam, valve springs, etc) if it is in decent condition to begin with. Some of it may not be needed depending on the condition of the engine, but you can't say until you get it apart and mike it (connecting rod work especially, but also valves, valve seats, etc.). I would have to believe if you tell them what you're after, they'll drop the unnecessary stuff and you'll be back down in the low-$2000 range.

 

Looks like a really fair price. I've had three done over the years and the last one was almost five grand, but that was assembled. So now you got me wondering, since you say you don't know what you are doing, who is gonna assemble this fresh bunch of parts? There are some really good books about rebuilding flatheads, but since I'm over in oldebrushe's 'hood, I can't get to them to give you the titles. I've read them both cover to cover so many times during my 20 year flathead phase that I almost wore the ink off.....I still have an 8ba in my '37 and I hope I will Always own one. Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

And to think that I sold a 37-38 21 stud military fresh rebuild still in cosmoline for $500. It was a few years ago!

 

If the $3,500 is a good price if it also includes crack inspection (wet magnaflux), assembly of the engine, and some kind of warranty.

 

Did I miss Pistons?

 

Huh, they don't list them, but if you bore it, new rings (which are listed) won't do much good....

 

It includes assembly, and I think a paint job.... I'm going to go down there next week and show them what I am working with.