I finally have found a flathead 8 with no death cracks. This is the 5th one I tore apart and had magnifluxed. I am not sure what year or displacement this engine is so if you know please help!

Thanks Kevin

 

ksmith, Believe it or not, I had a 59 AB flathead in a 1940 ford coupe deluxe
back in high school. [ah the memories] Wont tell you when that was. If my memory serves me, my 59 AB was out of a 1945 mercury military sedan.
I`m sure someone could be more diffinative.

 

'46-'48 car
'46-'47 truck
239 ci 95 hp

The '5' of the 59 means it started production in 1945 and was used until the 8BA/8RT's came out.

 

What comes after the 59 AB, the 8BA/8RT's in 48/9 till 55? Was that the last size/series of flat head V8`s?
In Canada we had flat heads till 1955 I believe.
Dueller/Snowking can fill me in but they seem to be away tonite.

 

Thanks Guys, I am going to list the engine on ebay. I have it apart so it could be magnifluxed. There was a crack between stud and water jacket but no death cracks. Do you think $300.00 is a fair price since you know the block is good. The rest looks good as well. The main were not all copper colored so they must be ok to.

Thanks Kevin

 

What size are the bearings? If the engine came from a military vehicle it may have odd sized bearings like .015 or.025, etc. $300.00 is a bargain if the block is ok. Some of the cars (Sportsmans, Merc Woodies) that used that engine are worth $75,000.00 +

 

It's the model of the car in your statement, not the engine that sets the price. (And the overstuffed pockets of the buyiers.)

 

There are some out there that will only buy the correct engine..Sportsman owners or otherwise. Ford made a ton of flatties for the military in WWII and afterwards. All of them (they are painted dark green, btw) have odd sized cranks and bores. Many went to Canada and England. I know ppl that will inspect parts to make sure the numbers match not only the yr, but the month the car was made. If the number was updated in April, they only want the March or earlier part.

 

Are there other numbers I can get to tell us more?

 

The bearings if different from standard are marked on the bearings. .001 - .002 - .010 etc. (one/two or ten under/over). Someone WILL ask that question if you list the engine on ebait. They'll prolly ask what the bore is too. Pistons will be marked on top as to what size they are...if different from standard. A good flathead is hard to find. I'd list it with a reserve of a grand, and a 1 cent opening bid. You can always drop or lower the reserve depending on how it goes.

 

Your right - after the 59 series came the 8BA/8RT series. dDsplacement was 239 ci for ford, 255 ci for the mercs. The merc engines had a 4" stroke crank, fords had a 3-3/4" stroke.

 

Kevin, without the block being magnafluxed, it is suspect for cracks. A visual inspection isn't adequate, and even then magnafluxing has to be done by someone familiar with typical flathead cracking areas which are different than other blocks.

I've paid $300 for a mag'd block, but a bare block without being tested is only worth $100 IMO. For a complete engine, as you've inspected it, I'd say $300 is probably a fair price. They're neither rare or hard to find. That's not to say you won't find someone thru the bay that willing pays outrageous prices for common items.....

There are no other unique numbers on the block - Henry did a marvelous job of keeping them obscure. If you have 59 casting, you have it nailed down as close as you can get. Anyone who knows flatheads will understand. More specific questions will come from guys who don't know them, but have heard wild and amazing things. In the 60+ years since it was produced, any number of parts could and likely have been swapped in.

Bill is correct that there are purists that will go thru them with a fine toothed comb. But the 59 is not uncommon compared to other models. In fact it's more desirable by hotrodders because it has 'the look'.

 

The block was magnifluxed professionally. Story rebuilds them all the time. So he know where to check. He showed me where they usually crack. I really just want to sell it for $350.00 or more. I want to use the money to buy the rest of what I need.

Kevin

 

Thank you 52merc, it`s been afew years and I never really knew the FlatHead engines all that well to begin with.

 

A good guide to Flatheads from Hot Rod mag.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...athead_engine/