New to flatheads
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New User
Joined: Aug 2014
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New to flatheads
Hey I just bought what I believe is a 46 pickup w/ a flatty,I guess major questions are I'm converting to 12v and dual carbs will stock distributor work, starter and a coil. From other posts I've read sounds like you guys know your shtuff and advice is greatly appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 138
From: Orcas Island Wa.
Welcome to the madness! The stock starter will be fine as is. You will need a 12 volt coil and some kind of resistor for your dash gauges. You will also need to switch all the lighting over to 12 volt bulbs. Don't know much about dual carbs. Never felt the need and they run so well as they are. There is a lot of info out there on the flathead v8, and a heck of a lot to learn about them. They are a very cool powerplant, and you'll have fun with all that goes along with them. (Well, almost everything). 
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,927
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From: Houston
Why are you converting to 12V? Flathead Fords work well on either 6V or 12V.
Dual carbs are troublesome. Depending on which year your engine is, dual carbs can be opening a real can of worms.
Please post pictures of your truck and engine.
Dual carbs are troublesome. Depending on which year your engine is, dual carbs can be opening a real can of worms.
Please post pictures of your truck and engine.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2014
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The truck is more or less a barn find but motor body and frame pretty solid. No interior or dash to speak of. Switching to 12v just for ease of getting parts. My plan is to do a clean mostly era correct rat truck. The head is stamped 59A and with VIN on frame I gather it's a 1946 with the 239 100hp flat. GB said starter is still kosher and need 12v coil which I knew but still wondering about distributor. From what I've read if you are going to run multiple carbs electronic ignition is way to go. Plan on duel stroms on offy super duel intake. I guess another question would be can stock mechanical fuel pump handle that, love the look of them. I will post some pics very soon.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 138
From: Orcas Island Wa.
I have owned and ran them on 6 and 12 volts. I daily drove a '38 tonner for ten years in the 80s-90s. It was 6 volts for 5 years, then 12. I installed a 59 ab with '42 style crab distributor. Currently I have a '37 1 1/2 ton and a '47 2 ton. Both have 8ba engines. The '37 is 6 volt and the '47 is 12. If all is good and clean and everything is dry etc, the 6 is just fine. If it's sat for two months in a damp shed and cables corroded, fuel evaporated from the carb and a bit neglected like mine get when I'm real busy with work or whatever, I prefer the 12 volt system and a gm one wire alternator to boot. I don't convert the '38 because other than the later engine, all else is very original and intact. I also never wanted one with dual carbs. Looks like trouble and I don't think you'd have that same beautiful low idle. If I need to climb a long hill, I downshift! 
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