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Is there anywhere in the country to get a new stock 239 flathead? I cant pay $6000 for a built motor nor do I want one in my old truck!
Any help is appreciated,
Tim
I am in Augusta Georgia and would do a road trip to get one in a heartbeat!!
It's a myth that it costs $6k for a stock rebuild. $2500 most places, same as for a SBC or SBF. Check with "3Twinridges" for a shop nearby.
There is a place in KS or OK that sells flatheads on eBay, has a good rep. Most of what they sell on eBay is the doodie'd up versions, aluminum heads, tri-carbs, etc. but they do stock too. Their shipping is cheaper than the cost of you driving there.
When I was looking to get my flathead rebuilt a few years back, the local engine shop here in TN wound up with an estimate in the $4500 range. Check with Josh Masden and see if his buddy Roger is still building them, that's where I got mine and the shipping was very reasonable.
I just don't know why those shops are that much. Boring a flathead is the same as boring a SBC, etc.; if you go with adjustable lifters, the valve job is the same. Grinding a flat crank is no different. Here's what mine cost in 2013. You could skip the balance job ($200, wasn't needed) and that will pay for the lifters. I had them assemble the short block, $475, due to a misunderstanding (I thought he said it was 4 hours labor charges), and you'd be under $2000. And that includes pulling the sludge traps, new aluminum cam gear, drilling the lifter bosses for adjustable lifters, Clevite bearings, and Egge pistons. Nothing fancy, but perfect for the street. If your engine has a bunch of bad valves, guides, etc. the price can certainly go up, but $2K - $3K??
We have one that was rebuilt about 7 years ago, truck was wrecked and has been stored for 6 years. I can get some better pictures. It turns over but didn’t try starting it.
I can get a price for you if interested. Located near Dallas Texas.
We just took the truck apart last week. Points look good as well.
Philip, that is interesting. Was talking to someone here the other day, and he was telling me that Jasper was doing flathead rebuilds. Guy owns a repair shop, so he would likely know.
As far as price for a rebuild, it is all over the place. All depends on the condition of your block. The shop I am contemplating using said that on average, the "found in a field sitting for the last 40 years" flathead can pretty easily run into $4K. The shop owner also said the majority of flatties he gets in anymore are such specimens. Boring, possible sleeving, crack repair, new cam, crank at least ground, all valves replaced, seats, possibly heads. Can run up there pretty quick.
However. If you have an engine that runs, smokes, leaks, not cracked, but just needs a quality rebuild, price is about $2500. This would entail all new bearings, crank polish, cam polish, some valves, a bore, pistons, pins, etc.
As Ross said, about like a small block Ford or Chevy.
Is there anywhere in the country to get a new stock 239 flathead? I cant pay $6000 for a built motor nor do I want one in my old truck!
Any help is appreciated,
Tim
I am in Augusta Georgia and would do a road trip to get one in a heartbeat!!
Bob's link to H & H Flatheads is an excellent source but I have heard that they are very busy.
The only "new" engines would be French flatheads but they have a few differences over the original 8BA like the starter.
Overall most of those sources could probably get you a rebuilt engine that is as good if not better than new. But I wouldn't trust that to just anybody as these old block, although rugged, need to be thoroughly checked for cracks, etc. Not everybody has the equipment or skills to do that properly. The sources above have been very reputable in the past.
If I were doing this I would contact Motor City Speed Equipment that is in Dundee, Michigan. They specialize in flatheads. Also this is where one of Chrysler's main engine plants is located and not far from the Toledo Jeep Plant so there are plenty of skilled workers available. Also just a days drive up I-75 from Atlanta right on the Ohio-Michigan border.
I just don't know why those shops are that much. Boring a flathead is the same as boring a SBC, etc.; if you go with adjustable lifters, the valve job is the same. Grinding a flat crank is no different. Here's what mine cost in 2013. You could skip the balance job ($200, wasn't needed) and that will pay for the lifters. I had them assemble the short block, $475, due to a misunderstanding (I thought he said it was 4 hours labor charges), and you'd be under $2000. And that includes pulling the sludge traps, new aluminum cam gear, drilling the lifter bosses for adjustable lifters, Clevite bearings, and Egge pistons. Nothing fancy, but perfect for the street. If your engine has a bunch of bad valves, guides, etc. the price can certainly go up, but $2K - $3K??
The list for my rebuild in 2016 came out to 3 pages long. Bake and shake block, bore cylinders, fix a crack, install hardened valve seats, sleeve one cylinder, magnaflux, pressure test, new pistons, new valves, guides, springs and keepers, turn the crank and cam, new bearings, new oil pump, rebuild carb, adjustable lifters, etc. etc. etc. I also had the shop completely assemble and test run it. Cost alot more too.
Bottom line-rebuild cost depends upon the condition of the motor and the hourly shop rate of the rebuilder. And how much of the assembly you want to do yourself.
Absolutely! (Tongue-in-cheek) - Just think how cheap it would be if you owned all the right equipment, paid wholesale for all the parts, had a perfect core block, had no overhead or operating costs, and was skilled enough to do all the labor yourself.
