Flathead V8=No Power
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
Flathead V8=No Power
Got to ride in a '32 Ford Duece Coupe w/ I think the guy said a 239 cid Mercury flathed w/ Edelbrock heads and Duece Carburetors. Are these motors so popular simply because the nostalgia? A '60s or newer V8 even the smoged mid '70s ones would kill one of these. Even if it's worth less, I would take one with a 289,302,351W any day over a flathead.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 35
From: Orange County, CA
Flatheads need more work than a later model to be able to keep up. A lot of it has to do with nostalgia. I'm putting a flathead in one of my '46 pickups because they are a great looking motor, not because they are fast. I'm not building this truck to go fast or anything. For my go fast truck, I'm dropping in a Ford small block and AOD. When the Chevy V8 hit the market in the mid 50's the flathead died as the favorite, the Chevy V8 was able to perform better, run faster, and make more power. Flatheads are cool, unique looking motors, especially in the field today filled with the usual Chevy 350/350 combo (boy I'm tired of seeing those things), but fact is, most later overheads will outperform a flattie.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
The real question is what is fast? Or what is underpowered? I do top out at about 50mph in my 48 F-5 dump weighing in at almost 7000lbs. I think a car should do 70 with ease, does everyone take their old car at run around at 70+mph all the time? Most of the time I see most of these vehicles sitting in garage, trailer, or at a show, which always makes me laugh at the "necessity" of the 350/350 combo for driving....when there isn't a lot of driving going on....
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
My mistake, I missed the post where you regularly drag race your $30,000+ restoration 1932 Ford Victoria....
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis
The flathead experience is the sight, the sound, and the smell. I love it because I grew up with it, and it reminds me of my father. a 289, 302, or 351 do none of that for me.
If I bolted in a Gen VI crate engine, I could scoff at all the 289, 302, and 351 powered trucks, asking "who would want to run that obsolete junk?"
The flatheads can be made to go fast. There is an 8.8 second flathead dragster closing on ebay today: 2488098111
If I bolted in a Gen VI crate engine, I could scoff at all the 289, 302, and 351 powered trucks, asking "who would want to run that obsolete junk?"
The flatheads can be made to go fast. There is an 8.8 second flathead dragster closing on ebay today: 2488098111
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: southern New Hampshire
This is a hard core flatheader (FORD in a CHEVY)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=52780&width=1
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=52780&width=1
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Ravenna/Athens
I just picked up a 50 Mercury w/the ole Flat 8 in it. Its pretty much all original, and the first thing my buddy told me to do was drop in a 350 or 351. I lauged, he told me its all about RPM's etc etc, how could anyone want an all original old car. I let him go on and on, laughed and shrugged it off. I think "If you have to ask, you'll probably never understand", states it perfectly.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Originally Posted by biggieou
I just picked up a 50 Mercury w/the ole Flat 8 in it. Its pretty much all original, and the first thing my buddy told me to do was drop in a 350 or 351. I lauged, he told me its all about RPM's etc etc, how could anyone want an all original old car. I let him go on and on, laughed and shrugged it off. I think "If you have to ask, you'll probably never understand", states it perfectly.
I'm over in Erie, PA, bunch of us Flatmotor Geezers/Gearheads are tryin to put something together for late next summer. If your interested send me an e-mail and I'll put ya on the list.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
duece_bigalo01
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
90
Mar 20, 2017 09:04 AM
jreilly57
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
17
Feb 12, 2016 05:18 PM
brit_wheels_fan
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Jul 31, 2013 12:25 PM
